“The average price of a home in Toronto is now over a million dollars and the average rent on a two-bedroom apartment has more than doubled to over $3,200 a month. Canadians can’t afford this and that is why in nearly every city, middle-class Canadians are forced to live in tent encampments...”
Transforming challenges into steppingstones, adversity into opportunity, and setbacks into triumphs
“Stop asking permission.” ~ Checkey Beckford
“Emergency services are on high alert, scrambling to assess the extent of the damage and provide aid to those affected. The city’s hospitals have been inundated with casualties, and the full scale of the tragedy is still unfolding.”
“We will continue to bring you updates as more information becomes available. Stay tuned to NBC 4 New York for the latest developments on this breaking story. Back to you in the studio.”
This edition, I am proud to be sharing the story about another African Caribbean woman who exemplifies passion and purpose. She covers breaking news and general assignment stories, appearing weekdays at 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM, on NBC 4 New York.
Our Woman Empowered is an African Caribbean powerhouse in the realm of journalism and communication, who embodies an unparalleled fervor for news and storytelling. With boundless energy and an unwavering dedication to her craft, she has carved a path of excellence in the industry. Through her work, she brings to light the stories that truly matter, amplifying voices that often go unheard. Her passion for impactful storytelling is palpable, captivating her network viewers and igniting conversations that spark change. Her commitment to journalistic integrity and her ability to connect with audiences on a profound level set her apart as a beacon of excellence in the field, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.
She is a talented media and communications leader with 20 years working in pressurecooker newsrooms from coast-to-coast. She thrives in fast-paced, deadline heavy environments, and has a proven track record of connecting audiences to stories by finding the human element of any topic, no matter how complex. She has actively embraced corporate communications efforts, nurturing team development, and consulting with C-Level Executives regarding thought leadership and best practices of internal DEI and employee engagement. Her commitment to journalistic excellence has been recognized with two New York Emmys® for her coverage of the 2017 Tribeca terrorist attacks. She was awarded the duPont-Columbia Award that has long been recognized as the broadcast, documentary and on-line equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, also awarded by Columbia University, and she was also presented with ESSENCE Magazine’s “Essential Heroes Award,” recognizing her coverage of 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak. She was recognized for “Creat(ing) a 360 view in real time of the coronavirus pandemic, with courageous and thorough reporting on the virus’s explosion in New York City.”
The mother of two beautiful children, Checkey Beckford is an Emmy® Award-winning reporter for NBC 4 New York who has learned how to effectively juggle home and family, and mothers, you know how challenging that can be. She will proudly tell you that she is the first member of her family to
go to college and is a striking example of immigrant success and the American dream.
Throughout her time at NBC 4, Beckford has covered many of the region’s most memorable news stories. In addition to the Tribeca attacks, Beckford provided breaking news coverage of:
• Superstorm Sandy in 2012
• New York City’s Ebola scare in 2014
• The deadly Metro-North crash in Valhalla in 2015
• The twin murders of NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos in 2015
Checkey Beckford joined NBC 4 New York as a general assignment reporter in October 2012 from KOVR CBS13 in Sacramento, CA where she served as a live reporter for dayside newscasts. She began her career at WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she was hired as an associate producer.
Here, Checkey was promoted twice in one year to weekend morning producer, and then weekday morning producer. Prior to joining KOVR CBS13, Checkey was a live reporter for WICD/WICS in Champaign/Springfield, IL where she shot, wrote and edited multiple stories for the 5:00 PM, and 6:00, PM and 10:00 PM newscasts.
It was inspiring, and relieving to sit down with another woman of colour who shares the passion of sharing stories of this era. From the very beginning of the interview, she was open to sharing her experiences, and I eagerly entered her world.
“If your life were a headline, what would it be,” I asked? “Glass full, overflowing,” Checkey said smiling.
“What inspired you to pursue your current career path?” I have always been curious about the story of a storyteller.
“I grew up in Westchester County after emigrating from Jamaica when I was only five years old. It started with me writing about my immigrant story. My aunt told my mom to focus on school and become a nurse in the States. My mom ignored her and moved to Mount Vernon. She was doing the lowest level of nursing, and we were not in a great situation.”
As you can imagine, as a young AfricanCaribbean woman growing up in a single-parent household, she faced a unique set of challenges, despite her mother’s relentless efforts to provide for her. Financial instability loomed large, amplifying the stress of meeting some of Checkey’s needs. Despite these hurdles, her mother’s unwavering support and determination to provide a nurturing environment instilled resilience and determination in Checkey, empowering her to navigate these challenges and pursue her dreams with purpose and tenacity.
“One of my earliest memories is me waking myself up in the morning, getting ready for school, and watching The Oprah Winfrey Show. To be honest, watching Oprah is what sculpted my speak
ing style. As I watched this woman who looked like me on television, well, something connected there. From then on, I started speaking Oprah’esk (like Oprah). I really think that it started from there.”
Now that she knew what she wanted to do, it was time to implement her action plan. She attended Florida Atlantic University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Communications with Minors in Political Science and Sociology. From there she entered the journalism world, and she has never looked back.
“What I really enjoy doing the most, Simone, are segments that focus on people who are doing amazing things every day. There was a woman on the subway who saw another woman being abused, and she protected that woman by shielding her with her body. These are stories that are often dismissed and that you do not hear about all the time. I wipe my memory card often, because there are some stories that I wish that I did not have to cover. For example, there is this story about a woman who was found in a duffle bag. When she walked in, there were squatters. They believe these squatters killed her and put her in the duffle bag. I was invited into the vestibule by the superintendent, and it was a tough one. These stories can rest on your mind, so I have developed a way to adapt, by erasing after reporting.”
If you could change one thing about the perception of women in the workplace, what would it be?”
“Black women and men; we need more stories to empower Black women. Stories that empower us. I enjoy the work that the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper does on presenting these types of stories; you are fortunate that you can do this type of impactful work. We need more of this.”
In her spare time, Beckford enjoys mentoring teenagers who aspire to go to college and begin careers in journalism. She resides with her family in New Jersey.
“If I could leave some sound advice for young journalists, it would be you have to be able to pivot. I am teaching my children this now. A child psychologist once told me, ‘I am not teaching my children to be happy; I am teaching them to be resilient.’ That stuck with me. It is important that you are able to be resilient, switch things up at the drop of a dime. Resilience is the unwavering force that transforms challenges into steppingstones, adversity into opportunity, and setbacks into triumphs.”
Photo Credit: NBC New York
Sometimes information is shared with me, and it makes me sit back and go, “Hmmmm!”
I received an email that stated in the subject line, “This email is only for CANADA.” Okay! I was interested. I kept reading. “We have been asked to share the following information by a fellow Canadian in case you aren’t aware and want to take ACTION. Please feel free to share this with other Canadians.”
Apparently, the federal government has quietly begun the creation of Personal Information Banks (PIB) to collect and store data on Canadians.
According to the Government of Canada, Personal Information Banks (PIBs) are descriptions of personal information under the control of a government institution that is organized and retrievable by an individual’s name, or by a number, symbol or other element that identifies that individual. The personal information described in a PIB has been used, is being used, or is available for an administrative purpose. The PIB describes how personal information is: collected, used, disclosed,
retained and/or disposed of in the administration of a government institution’s program, or activity.
There are three types of PIBs: central, institution-specific and standard. The following descriptions are standard PIBs. They describe information about members of the public as well as current and former federal employees contained in records: created, collected and maintained by most government institutions in support of common internal services. These include personal information relating to human resources management, travel, corporate communications and other administrative services. Standard PIBs are created by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
Now, the claim is that governments need information about their citizens in order to deliver programs and set public policies in vital areas, such as: health, transportation, public safety and national security. At the same time, individuals need to know that their personal information is being collected, used and disclosed. This is where the Privacy Act comes in. The Privacy Act sets out the privacy rights of individuals in their interactions with the federal government. It obliges government institutions to respect the privacy of individuals by controlling the: collection, use, disclosure, retention and disposal of recorded personal information.
In passing the Privacy Act and appointing a Privacy Commissioner, Parliament asserted the right to privacy. It
concluded that, while the federal government needs to collect and use personal information, it must do so in a way that does not unduly interfere with people’s privacy.
The Act obliges the government to collect only the personal information it needs to carry out its functions, to keep it: accurate, complete and up-to-date, and to destroy whatever is no longer needed. If the government needs to share your personal information with other departments or organizations, it can do so only under certain conditions.
Over the years, individuals have reported various concerns ranging from perceived over-collection of personal information to disclosures of personal information that people felt were not authorized under the Privacy Act. This is another case where we were not consulted, nor informed about the creation, or existence of these databases and they are being collected without our permission, or knowledge. Categories of information include biometrics (DNA, blood type, eye/ facial scan, fingerprints, etc.), personal biography, medical history, financial history, credit information, opinions or views of or about individuals, and much more.
It was discovered that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) had quietly added it to their Privacy Terms so that in order to submit an application for benefits, such as the One-Time Housing Top Up they started offering in December, you must click that you agree to terms including “Being described in Personal Information Bank
(under development)” in order to submit your application. It is also a term in the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) application. It quite likely will be a term for submitting your income tax return, so read those Privacy Terms when filing your taxes this year!
They lay it all out in their Departmental Plan for Health Canada 2022/23. There is no mention of hiring health care workers. It’s all data, digitization, AI, vaccines and so on. This is a big deal. Under the Privacy Act, whether you are inside, or outside Canada, you can file a request for access to your personal data. The steps are as follows:
• Determine which department or agency holds the information you want to request. All federal government institutions are listed in a public directory called Info Source, along with their mandates and responsibilities.
• Find the contact information for the organization’s Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Coordinator.
• Follow the steps for filing a request for personal information.
• Once you receive your personal information, you can ask the department to make any necessary corrections.
Nowadays, it seems like world governments are always trying to get away with something. Good thing that we have journalists as watchdogs and protectors of their communities.
It was an entertaining, inspiring and visually exciting day on Sunday, February 25th, 2024, when Freedom Mas kicked off the start of band launch season 2024. In this the third year of the first and only Jamaican band, led by Johanna Grant, the unveiling of the adult and kids’ costumes were showcased under the theme “What If” at the Small Arts Inspection Building in Mississauga near the intersection of Dixie Road and Lakeshore Shore.
The promotional material on Instagram states, “We are bringing the spirit of Carnival through music, dance, and delicious food. Immerse yourself in the rhythm of the Caribbean with live DJs, playing reggae, soca, and dancehall music that will keep you grooving all day long.” They describe what attendees would be able to experience as they “Explore the diverse marketplace filled with local artisans and vendors offering unique crafts, clothing and accessories.”
There was a wide range of vendors present who showcased a range of services and products targeted to the: Black, African and Caribbean community. One of the vendors was Rose & Ruby Jewelry, which offers the Ultimate Jewelry Guide in which everything you need to know about: cleaning, traveling, measuring and maintaining your pieces. I spoke with Antoinette and Norman of Yardpot Catering Ltd about the different types of authentic: products, services and catering they offered. They are proud of their Jamaican roots and willingly promote the varieties of snacks, treats and products.
I spoke to Johanna who has been the band leader of Freedom Mas since its inception about what she expects for Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2024. She is excited to be the first Mas back to start band launch season 2024. The fact that it occurred during Black History Month was intentional and foundational to connecting carnival to its historic roots as a symbol of independence, freedom and empowerment. There were young and old in the
audience who witnessed the visually stunning and stimulating costumes that were showcased during the presentation.
There were several sections that were featured at the band launch, which included:
• Phoenix Mist @thebutterflyave
• KADENCE Rhythmic Flow of
• Essence of Dreams-@queentcarnival
• Thoughts of the Future@angelicxarnival
• Port Royal Pirates of the Caribbean
In the audience was Jennifer Michelle Hirlehey, Board Chair of the FMC and CEO, Mischka Crichton, Stephen Dasko, Councilor of Ward 1, as well as Martin Reid, Councilor of Ward 3 of the City of Mississauga enjoyed the festivities and celebrations as they interacted with the audience.
Linden King, former Chair of the Black Caucus of Mississauga came out to show his support as well as MPP Charmaine Williams Brampton North. “This is another celebration of talent and culture and it’s my privilege to see the product of another Black woman and business powerhouse raise others to excellence and be a part of our history.”
Stephen Dasko, Councilor for Ward 1 Mississauga and Region of Peel was in attendance and was pleased with the turnout at the launch and the high level of community support. “Congratulations to Johanna and the team of the Freedom Mas Band for a great afternoon celebrating Black History Month Carnival Edition.”
The dates of some of the upcoming band launches for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival are:
• Lux Carnival - Saturday, March 23rd
• E.P.I.C. Carnival - Friday, April 5th
• Toronto Revellers - Saturday, April 6th
• Sublime Mas- Saturday, April 13th
• Fantasia Carnival - Sunday, April 14th
• Lavway Mas - Friday, April 19th
• Saldenah - Saturday, April 20th
• Tribal Knights - Friday, April 26th
• Carnival Nationz - Saturday, April 27th
Anyone interested in learning about Freedom Mas can check them out at:
Website: freedommasband.ca
Facebook: Freedom Mas Band
Instagram: @freedommasbqbd
YouTube: Freedom Mas Band
Something doesn’t seem right with your teenager; Could it be borderline personality disorder?
simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Your son/daughter walks in and sighs heavily, dropping their school bag on the floor before taking a seat next to you. “I don’t know, Mom. I’ve been feeling... weird lately.”
Sensing the seriousness in your child’s voice, you set aside what you are doing, and give them your full attention. “Weird how?”
“I don’t know. Like, one minute I’m okay, and the next, I’m angry, or sad for no reason. And then there are times when I feel like nobody understands me. Like I’m alone in this world.”
You listen intently, concerned. “Have you talked to anyone about how you’re feeling?”
“No... I thought it was just teenage stuff, you know? But... I did some research online, and... I think I might have something called borderline personality disorder.”
“I’m sorry you’re feeling this way, but what makes you think you have this disorder?”
“Well, I have a lot of the symptoms... like the mood swings, fear of abandonment, and feeling empty inside, and I remember you mentioning dad’s struggles with mental health. Maybe it’s genetic?”
Your mind races as you recall your ex’s battle with mental illness. You nod slowly, absorbing your child’s words.
It is challenging having these discussions, especially when it is with your child. We hear terminology like bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder tossed around, and without a knowledge base, we can utilize these labels in a manner that is hurtful, and without innerstanding.
Before we get into understanding what you might be experiencing with your teenager, or a loved one, let’s take a look at what research says about the topic. “Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder
Across Sociocultural Groups: Findings, Issues, and Future Directions,” researched by Andrada D. Neacsiua, Jeremy W. Eberleb, Shian-Ling Kengc, Caitlin M. Fangd and M. Zachary Rosenthala suggested that cultural influences affect the development and course of many mental health problems including mood, anxiety, eating, substance use, and personality disorders.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe condition that often includes suicidal behavior, comorbidity with other psychiatric conditions, poor psychosocial functioning, and frequent use of costly mental health services. Adults who meet diagnostic criteria for BPD commonly use inpatient and outpatient mental health services yet are widely characterized as being difficult-to-treat and may benefit less than others from psychotherapy.
In the research study titled “The Cumulative Effects of Bullying Victimization in Childhood and Adolescence on Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” researcher Madelaine Erazo found that in emerging adulthood individuals who were bullied by their peers in childhood and adolescence were more likely to have elevated symptoms of BPD in adulthood. High levels of bullying victimization are explained as a form of relational trauma. Results suggest that peer relations are powerful enough to lead to subsequent personality pathology. BPD is presented amongst adolescents and adults, and vary significantly by gender, with girls and women being more likely to receive a diagnosis than boys and men (APA, 2013; Kaess et al., 2014; Torgersen et al., 2001)
Before you jump to conclusions and self-diagnose a mental health disorder, it’s crucial to comprehend the process through which mental health professionals utilize the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) for diagnosis.
The DSM-V serves as a standardized tool that clinicians use to identify and classify mental health disorders based on specific criteria. These criteria encompass various aspects of an individual’s: thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and experiences, and usually a diagnosis is made if an individual displays five out of nine, or ten symptoms designated as being part of that disorder. Identifying borderline personality disorder (BPD) in teenagers can be challenging, but there are several signs parents can watch out for. Firstly, fluctuations in mood and intense emotional responses that seem disproportionate to the situation may indicate BPD. Look for patterns of unstable relationships, such as rapid shifts between idealizing and devaluing others.
Teens with BPD often struggle with impulsivity, engaging in risky behaviors like substance abuse, reckless driving, or selfharm. They may also exhibit chronic feelings of emptiness, and difficulty establishing a sense of identity. Pay attention to frequent outbursts of anger, fear of abandonment, and a tendency towards self-destructive behaviors. It is also important to be aware of the five areas of dysregulation. According to Psychologist Tchiki Davis, Ph.D., dysregulation is defined as “Any excessive or otherwise poorly managed mechanism or response.” The five that you need to be aware of are:
Emotion Dysregulation:
This involves difficulties in managing and expressing emotions appropriately. Individuals may experience intense emotions, struggle to modulate their emotional responses, and have difficulties in effectively regulating their emotions in various situations.
Behavioral Dysregulation:
This refers to challenges in controlling behavior, impulsivity, and difficulty in adhering to social norms, or rules. It may manifest as impulsive actions, aggression, self-harm,
or difficulty in maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Cognitive Dysregulation:
This involves difficulties in cognitive processes such as: attention, concentration, memory, and decision-making. Individuals may experience racing thoughts, cognitive rigidity, distractibility, or difficulties in problem-solving and planning.
Sensory Dysregulation:
This refers to atypical responses to sensory stimuli, such as hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sensory input (e.g., touch, sound, light). Individuals may become overwhelmed or distressed by sensory stimuli that others find tolerable or may seek out intense sensory experiences.
Physiological Dysregulation:
This encompasses disruptions in physiological processes, including sleep-wake cycles, appetite regulation, and autonomic nervous system functioning. It may manifest as: sleep disturbances, appetite changes, gastrointestinal issues, or difficulties in regulating arousal levels.
Speaking to a doctor about what you’re feeling, particularly regarding your mental health, is crucial; it opens up avenues for accessing additional resources and support networks that can further aid in your recovery journey. Doctors are trained professionals who are supposed to provide an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan based on your symptoms. Respectable doctors have the expertise to distinguish between normal fluctuations in mood, and more serious mental health conditions. discussing your feelings with a doctor can help alleviate the burden of carrying them alone, providing a safe and supportive space to express yourself without judgment.
Early intervention is key in managing mental health issues effectively, and doctors can offer timely interventions, whether it’s therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes.
The announcement of a historic gift of $5 million to the African Studies Centre and the Centre for Caribbean Studies at the University of Toronto was made by Richard Rooney and will be matched by funds from the Faculty of Arts & Science to a total of $10 million. The establishment of an endowed professorship at each center as well as two prestigious postdoctoral fellowships will increase the: stature, prestige and scholarships of future African Studies and Caribbean Studies scholars.
The African Studies Centre (which is at U of T New College) is located near the intersection of Harbord Street and Spadina Avenue. It was established in 1978 and is described as one of the leading centers in
North America. Students gain:
• Unique opportunities to study the complexity and dynamism of processes of socio-economic, cultural, environmental, and political transformation in Africa.
• Study the varied: histories, ideas, and institutions of Africa and its diaspora through interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary lenses at three different levels.
The Centre for Caribbean Studies Program was established in 1995 and is a unique one-of-a-kind institution that focuses on the study of the Caribbean and its people.
It:
• Equips students to think about: broad, theoretical, and challenging intellectual issues to ground that expansive thinking in deep understanding of the particular: historical, political, economic, geographical, cultural, and linguistic realities of the Caribbean and its diaspora.
• Prepares students to think across disciplines about these kinds of questions
and to base their: comparative, transnational, and interdisciplinary thinking in concrete knowledge of the Caribbean and its people.
• Equips students to: question the order of things, reflect on their own place in the world, and see past the Caribbean’s size, or current level of geopolitical influence to recognize the inherent value and intellectual significance of all places and all people.
Richard Rooney graduated from New College at the U of T in 1977 and is the vicechair and co-founder of Burgundy Asset Management. He states, “The education I received at New College was a springboard for my success. It’s an honour for me to be able to give back to what was so pivotal in my life and to support academic programs that can help us imagine a more equitable and just society.”
Meric Gertler, President of U of T states, “We are deeply grateful to Richard Rooney for this visionary gift to the University of Toronto. This landmark will further advance U of T’s leadership in African Studies and Caribbean Studies. It is also so well aligned with our global outlook and our
commitment to inclusive excellence. He has been a part of the New One-Learning Without program for first-year students, the New College’s Principal Innovation Fund and the establishment of a landscape plaza that was funded in partnership with the New College Student Council.”
Melanie Woodin, Dean of U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Sciences states, “Richard Rooney’s milestone gift will elevate the African Studies Centre, and the Centre for Caribbean Studies to new heights as sites of scholarly excellence and transdisciplinary dialogue. The research, teaching and collaboration happening at these two centers are indispensable for making sense of the 21st century providing learners with the tools they need to become engaged citizens, anchored by a rich understanding of the world today.”
David-Palmer, Vice-President Advancement of U of T’s states, “Donors like Richard Rooney make the University’s most ambitious visions a reality. His commitment demonstrates the passion that runs throughout our community of supporters who believe in the promise of inclusive excellence and make transformative contributions towards realizing it as a lived ideal.”
Eight years of Justin Trudeau; Canada’s housing is against the ropes, and Toronto renters
MICHAEL THOMAS
“After eight years of Trudeau, the average price of a home in Toronto is now over a million dollars and the average rent on a two-bedroom apartment has more than doubled to over $3,200 a month. Canadians can’t afford this and that is why in nearly every city, middleclass Canadians are forced to live in tent encampments.”
The above quote is an attempt to write Justin Trudeau’s biography, or part of his legacy by Scott Aitchison, Conservative Shadow Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.
According to Aitchison, “Justin Trudeau’s response has been to re-announce a failed loan program, which has only resulted in the completion of 11,000 homes over the course of seven years and create more bureaucracy, which will raise the cost of housing even more.”
What exactly is happening here in Canada? Canadians let us look at the numbers and see if they add up.
According to the RBC Housing Affordability Report, in Toronto, a household earning a median income needed to spend 84.8% of their income just to cover the costs of owning an average home at market price. This metric has “reached its worst level ever.”
It now requires 63.5% of income to buy an average-priced home com-
pared to 2015 when the same measure was 39.3%. The income required to purchase a home in Toronto rose by $11,100 in 2023, to $218,100, according to Ratehub.ca.
A home in Greater Toronto was $1,089,800 in February 2024, compared to $601,800 in October 2015. A rise of almost double the cost. Which workingclass family can afford this in presentday Toronto? This information is from the Canadian Real Estate Association.
According to the National Bank, it now takes 25 years to save for a down payment in Toronto. The mortgage payment as percentage of income is 87.8% in Toronto.
I hope that this information takes care of the question, why are so many Torontonians homeless or living in their cars? Maybe not. Here are some troubling homeless stats.
“As of October, [Toronto] is sheltering 10,700 people and turning away approximately 275 others on a daily basis,” said Gord Tanner, the city’s Director of homelessness initiatives. “Growing number of homeless people turning to ERs for shelter and warmth in Ontario. In Toronto hospitals specifically, those cold-weather ER visits by homeless people skyrocketed by 68%.”
Let’s look at where our Canadian tax dollars are going and see if any meaningful progress is being made.
The Apartment Construction Loan Program is an existing program that was rebranded in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement. It was previously the Rental Construction Financing Initiative (RCFI) which was created in 2017. When the program was launched in April 2017, it promised $25.65 billion in loan financing and had an original goal of creat-
ing 71,000 new rental housing units by 2027/28. However, in the 7 years since the program launched it has committed $18.19 billion in loans, which has only resulted in the completion of 11,208 homes, as of the latest data from December 2023.
After re-announcing and rebranding the program in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, Trudeau’s government topped up the program with funding for an additional $15 billion in loans, bringing the total available loans to over $40 billion.
Trudeau’s regime was promising Canadians that this additional funding would create 30,000 additional units, bringing the total units to 101,000 even though the program is not coming anywhere close to completing the original 71,000 homes promised to Canadians in 2017.
Now, the Liberals announced that in Budget 2024, they would fund an additional $15 billion in loans, bringing the total to $55 billion even though less than half of the loans already available under the program have been awarded. Once again Trudeau’s regime promised that this additional funding would support the creation of an additional 30,000 new apartment units, bringing the total to 131,000 units promised with only 11,208 or 8.5% completed. In layman’s terms, Canadians’ tax dollars were spent, and they were lied to.
I spoke to Sam Lilly who is the Press Secretary - shadow cabinet from the office of the leader of the Official Opposition. “From 2015 to now, what has happened,” I asked him?
“We’ve seen Justin Trudeau’s inflationary spending and taxes have put pressure on interest rates and cost of
living after Trudeau printed 600 billion worth of money.”
“According to CMHC,” Lilly said, “We are short 5.8 million houses in Canada, and those houses have to be built in the next decade and we are way off target.”
“The next problem,” he said, “is that Justin Trudeau keeps giving money to these municipalities that are blocking the permitting of homes. There is a sort of ‘not in my backyard NIMBYism,’ and Justin just keeps feeding them money –no questions asked.”
The alarming rise of almost double the cost in present-day Toronto creates an insurmountable burden for working-class families, rendering housing increasingly unattainable. Such an escalation disproportionately affects marginalized communities, exacerbating the existing economic disparities. The profound impact of this surge extends beyond mere financial strain, as it amplifies societal inequalities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exclusion. Urgent measures are imperative to address this crisis and safeguard the fundamental right to adequate housing for all residents, regardless of socioeconomic status.
The repercussions of Justin Trudeau’s inflationary spending and tax policies have become increasingly apparent, exerting significant pressure on interest rates and the cost of living. As citizens navigate these economic challenges, it becomes imperative for policymakers to prioritize measures that promote stability, fiscal responsibility, and sustainable economic growth to alleviate the burden on households and ensure long-term prosperity for all Canadians.
simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
I hate to be the bearer of bad news my beautiful sisters, but some of you might be doing things to your body, and your daughter’s body that will affect them in the future. What is that you ask? Well, it is that product that some of us use to make sure that our kink remains tame.
Several landmark studies have been published in the last year highlighting the link between chemical hair relaxers — which are reported to increase rates of uterine cancer. A couple weeks ago, after pressure from Democratic Reps. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Shontel Brown of Ohio, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a ban on hair-smoothing, and hair-straightening products containing formaldehyde, an ingredient known to cause cancer.
As more research continues to reveal potential dangers, hundreds of African American people have filed lawsuits against big-name beauty and cosmetic retailers like: L’Oréal and Revlon, blaming
their chemical hair straighteners as causes of uterine cancer, fibroid tumors and infertility.
I read a story about a woman who developed kidney damage on three separate occasions after receiving hair-straightening treatments at a salon. Her doctors say one of the products used likely caused the organ injuries.
The 26-year-old woman visited a salon to receive the popular hair treatment in June 2020, April 2021 and July 2022. She claims that she had no previous health problems, but on the day of each visit, she experienced: vomiting, diarrhea, fever and back pain. She reported feeling burning on her scalp during the hair treatment and developed ulcers on her head shortly afterwards.
So naturally, she went to the doctor again, and what they had to tell her surprised her; doctors found she had raised levels of creatinine in her blood, a sign that her kidneys were malfunctioning. She had blood in her urine, but showed no other signs of infection, and her urinary system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra, were not blocked, a computed tomography (CT) scan showed.
At each salon appointment, the woman’s hair was treated with a straightening cream containing the chemical glyoxylic acid. This likely caused her scalp to burn and ulcerate, her doctors suggested in a report of her case, published March
21st in The New England Journal of Medicine. Based on experiments in mice, they also theorized that the acid absorbed through her skin and reached her kidneys, which caused damage upon being broken down. Can you imagine that?
In 2021, the BWHS found that African descended women who used hair products containing lye, an ingredient typically found in salon relaxers, at least seven times a year for more than 15 years had a 30% increased risk of developing breast cancer. Among the 50,543 women who participated in the 25-year study, 2,311 participants had developed breast cancer, including 1,843 who developed invasive breast cancers, meaning the cancers spread into surrounding breast tissue. While African descended women have a 4% lower incidence rate of breast cancer than White women, they have a 40% higher breast cancer death rate, according to the American Cancer Society.
The latest research on the effects of hair relaxers was published by Boston University. According to the Black Women’s Health Study, or BWHS, postmenopausal African descended women who have used chemical hair relaxers more than twice a year or for more than five years have an increased risk of developing uterine cancer.
In following 44,798 African descended women for up to 22 years, researchers found a higher rate of uterine cancer among postmenopausal women
who reported having used chemical hair relaxers for at least 10 years, regardless of frequency. Better grasping African descended peoples’ health and the factors that contribute to racial disparities in cancer was the intent behind the 22-year study.
So why is all this happening? Why is a relaxer so harmful? Chemical hair relaxers contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can disrupt the functions of the endocrine system (which includes the: thyroid, ovaries, pancreas and adrenal glands) and affect hormone levels. These chemicals include phthalates and parabens, which can be found in relaxers. People can be exposed to them by absorption through the skin or inhaling them in the air. Black women are often exposed to endocrine disruptors by using relaxers, which are applied on the scalp.
Long story short, women of colour; there are other options now: wigs, extensions, or just rocking your natural, especially because now we are supposedly “trending!”
A message to African descended women: embrace your essence with pride. Your identity, appearance, and the natural kink of your hair are manifestations of greatness. By celebrating who you are and how you look, you honor your heritage and affirm your beauty. Embrace your uniqueness with confidence, for it is a testament to the richness of your cultural legacy.
Have you ever had a bad boss and don’t know what to do about it? Well, almost everyone in Canada has. 2 in 5 Canadians have quit their jobs due to having a horrible boss. The unfortunate truth is that having a bad superior is a lot more common, and quitting sometimes isn’t an option for most people. A bad boss can make your day a drag at the workplace, dealing with micromanaging, anger management, favoritism, dismissal, or a flat-out bully. Let’s tackle this situation in a proactive way; here are four helpful tips to get your boss off your back, and hopefully make the workplace more manageable until you can find a new job.
Is it you or your boss?
Having a “bad boss” affects you personally as much as it does in the workplace. If your boss is constantly dismissing you, and mak-
ing you feel irritated, low self-esteem, or just feeling down, you tend to form a bias against them as a person. People tend to attribute bad boss behaviour to personality flaws. Take the time to consider the full context of the situation and their behaviour as a boss, not just the incidents or comments that affect your emotions. By doing this, you can approach the task unbiased and with level-headedness to draw a conclusion.
Openly communicate
Some bosses aren’t effectively trained, or even qualified for the job. This includes not knowing how to effectively communicate with their teams, which can lead to a lack of communication and tension. If your boss is bad at communicating what they expect of you, take matters into your own hands and take the initiative in voicing your concerns. With a bad boss, initiative with being a leader, openly communicating questions,
or concerns, and setting up meetings, you can effectively create a more open and honest relationship with your boss.
Identify their triggers
The Karenina principle states, “Good bosses are all alike; every bad boss is bad in their own way.” You can have an: insecure boss, a pessimist, a victim, the know-it-all, the tormentor, the biased coworker, the political operator, and any other form of a horrible boss. Knowing their triggers, and what they are picky about can help you work around them in the workplace. No single strategy can manage every bad boss variant, but by considering their behaviour and outbursts, you can strategize on how to avoid unnecessary disputes.
Set boundaries
Setting boundaries with yourself, and your boss is difficult, but it’s necessary in the workplace. You need to set boundaries that
allow you to interact with your boss and coworkers professionally while also caring for your own mental, physical, and social wellbeing. If things don’t change with your toxic boss you need to: interact less with them, reschedule your work, and quit if you have to. Talking with HR can help determine formal steps in dealing with your boss and getting reassigned.
These tips can help deal with a bad boss, but the best thing to do is… AVOID BAD BOSSES. Before getting your next job, it’s always best to have a coffee, or lunch date with some staff and get a good feel of the workplace environment you’re going to be entering. Discover as much as you can about the company before entering it to avoid being in this position to begin with.
When Ante Up dropped at the Phoenix Concert Theatre Wooooooooooooo…
On Saturday, March 30th, 2024, the hip hop community in Toronto came to life at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. As I walked into Phoenix, the pulsating beats of hip hop music reverberated through the air, and it set the tone for the electrifying atmosphere.
As I stepped further into the hall, the aroma of excitement filled the air, mingling with the scent of sweat and spilled drinks. The floor vibrates beneath my feet, echoing the rhythm of the bass.
Groups of people were scattered throughout the space, swaying to the music with drinks in hand. Their laughter and chatter blend seamlessly with the sounds of DJ Merciless scratching records and cheers erupting from the crowd.
The crowd was a diverse mix of individuals, united by their love for hip hop music. Some were dressed to impress, adorned in flashy attire that caught the light as they moved. Others exude an ef-
simone@carib101.com TC REPORTER
“It’s the maddest pride.” These are the words of the newest R&B/pop sensation who most recently released his new EP “For When It’s Over.” This young man has been keeping busy, gracing stages and creating considerable industry buzz at: SXSW, NYC, and at School Night (LA). The six song EP follows the release of his uptempo single “Rogue” where this musical genius paints a picture of the irresistible allure of forbidden love. The video for “Rogue” captures the feeling and vibe of blasting music in your car on a late-night drive through the city…. Hmmmm!
On Wednesday April 3rd, 2024, the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited out to the album release event being held to introduce this homegrown star to the world. As this young man stepped into the spotlight, his presence commanded attention. He took a deep breath, and as he began to sing, the room fell silent. The first notes of his voice ring out, pure and resonant. There’s a quality to his voice that’s undeniable; it drew everyone in, making them forget the world outside. His voice carried emotion, weaving through the Drake Hotel Underground like a gentle breeze, touching the hearts of everyone in the room. It was as if he poured his soul
fortless coolness, their laid-back demeanor adding to the ambiance of the night.
Despite the packed space, there’s a sense of camaraderie among the crowd. Strangers exchange nods and smiles, bonding over their shared appreciation for the music filling the hall.
It was going down in Toronto with: M.O.P., Kool G Rap, and Asun Eastwood hitting the stage. I have to give the great one Asun Eastwood his respect. His words are a mirror reflecting the harsh realities of urban life in Toronto, painting vivid portraits of poverty, violence, and inequality, but amidst the chaos and despair, there’s a glimmer of hope in Asun’s message—a call to arms for the oppressed to rise up and reclaim their power.
Asun spits truth with an intensity that demands attention. His flow is relentless, each bar hitting like a punch to the gut, forcing listeners to confront the uncomfortable truths they’d rather ignore. Asun is more than just a mouthpiece for the streets—he is a poet, a storyteller, and a visionary. His lyrics are laced with intricate wordplay and double entendres, weaving tales of struggle and triumph with a poetic finesse that sets him apart from the crowd. In a world where authenticity is often sacrificed for commercial success, Asun remains steadfast in his commitment to keeping it real. He refuses to compromise his integrity, or dilute his message for mass appeal, staying true to his roots and speaking truth to power with every breath.
His lyrics were laden with memories of a time when hip-hop was raw, authentic, and revolutionary. Each rhyme, each beat, carried with it the essence of an era that shaped not just the music industry, but also the culture and spirit of an entire generation.
As he belted out verses that I hadn’t heard live in years, it was as if time itself had folded, bringing me back to the moments when I first discovered his music. I found myself nodding along to the familiar rhythms, mouthing the lyrics that had once been the soundtrack to my youth.
Finally, MOP came on and brought all the fire. When the first pounding beats of MOP’s classic “Ante Up” reverberated through the venue, instantly, the audience was swept away by the relentless rhythm, their collective adrenaline surging. Arms shot up into the air, and heads bobbed in unison as the bass throbbed through every inch of the hall. The lyrics, raw and intense, echoed off the walls, fueling the fervor of the crowd.
As the song reached its climax, the energy peaked, and the entire venue seemed to explode with an ecstatic frenzy. Sweat glistened on flushed faces, and exhilaration coursed through the veins of every attendee. In that moment, time seemed
When Kool G Rap took the stage, I could feel the nostalgia washing over me as I watched one of my old school hip-hop favorites step onto the stage. The beats began to thump, the bass reverberating through the venue, and suddenly, I was transported back to a different era.
into every word, every melody.
With each passing moment, the intensity of his performance grew, building to a crescendo that sent shivers down my spine. There was a raw power in his voice that was impossible to ignore.
His name is Vincent Darby and he’s a R&B-pop singer from Birmingham (UK). He destroyed SXSW, and New York’s The Rockwood. He just lit up School Night in LA the night before the release party. Of course, I had to go and see what the buzz was all about.
While “Rogue” embodies Vincent’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of R&B and Pop, it also serves as the lead track off his new EP. “I started the process back in 2016 and I called the EP “For When It’s Over” to document what love/lust feels like within this generation of quick attention spans and dating apps,” shared Vincent. “In a world of instant gratification, genuine fulfillment in love doesn’t really exist.”
The EP encapsulates these sentiments in under 20 minutes, reflecting on intense yet short-lived relationships, now normalized in our society. Vincent is the genesis of musical innovation in the Pop and R&B genres, drawing from his soulful upbringing to craft unforgettable melodies that captivate audiences worldwide.
“For When It’s Over’ is being released by 7 Long Lane Entertainment, an independent label dedicated to nurturing emerging talent in the music industry. From talent development to marketing, the label guides artists on their journey to success. With strong industry connections and a commitment to excellence, the team has contributed to the success
to stand still, and the world outside faded away, leaving only the music and the collective euphoria of the crowd lost in the pulsating beats of “Ante Up.”
After another successful show, I had to stop in and chat with the man himself, Lord Fury. I wanted to hear his thoughts about the concert. “I am awakening my nation of sleeping giants,” Lord Fury began. “I wanted the Legend Kool G Rap, and MOP because they are classics, and I wanted that energy.”
“This concert optimized hip hop, that Brooklyn energy. I wanted to remind people what hip hop is supposed to look like, because let’s be real, hip hop is getting soft. What Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole calls battle rap is a joke! It’s that kiss my ass shit. What are you guys even talking about? I wanted to bring masculine hip hop; that testosterone that let’s women know that they are amongst men.”
“What is some of the feedback you are getting Fury,” I asked? “I have been told that it is the best hip hop concert Toronto has seen in the last 10 years,” Fury replied. “On behalf of Supreme Genes Entertainment and The Phoenix Concert Theatre we thank everyone who came out to this legendary hip hop event.”
As the night wore on, the energy in the room only intensified. Bodies swayed in unison, caught up in the infectious rhythm of the music. It was a scene straight out of a music video, a moment frozen in time where anything felt possible.
of artists including Billie Eilish, Eminem, Mariah Carey, and many more, ensuring long-lasting careers for their roster. It does go to show the importance of having a solid team around you; it allows an artist to focus on what they do best; create.
Inspired by his British upbringing and Jamaican heritage and introduced to music at a young age by his radio DJ grandfather, Vincent’s journey has taken him from karaoke bars showcasing his electrifying voice; to a sold-out headline performance at The Jazz Cafe in London, and a coveted spot at BBC Radio 1’s big weekend festival. With hits like “We Could Be” resonating globally and earning acclaim from MTV and BET, this young star is on a fast track to solidify his position as a trailblazer.
Born and raised in Birmingham England on the edge of the countryside near the city is where Vincent started his musical journey. When I sat down with Vincent, his energy was palpable; he was so willing to share his journey.
“My grandparents moved from Jamaica a few years after the windrush,” he began. “They kept their culture and ensured that generations after them had Caribbean culture embedded in them. My mom was born in England but was raised in Jamaica. Her parents sent her back to Jamaica when she was younger, and you know what that means. Raised in Jamaican culture, navigating as a young woman brings unique experiences, and those strong values are instilled in me.”
“I used to sing all the time when I was a kid. My mom would say that even when I was crying, it would seem like singing. This continued, and when I was five,
we were on a family trip. I started singing Karaoke, and my mom was like, okay! This is what he wants to do. She recognized my talent and wholeheartedly embraced, nurtured it, and I blossomed.”
Naturally, other people saw Vincent’s talent, and wanted to capitalize on it. For some reason, even at a young age, Vincent followed his instincts. “I realized early that I didn’t want to do it yet. I wanted to be a kid, and my mom was like, ‘I am glad you feel like that, because you are not doing anything until you finish school.’ I really took it there at 16 years old and did my first recording in Jamaica. What an experience that was.”
“I have a special love for the city of Toronto; it was the first place that I travelled by myself. I was about 17 years old at the time, and you can imagine the excitement. I was travelling, doing what I loved, and my family supported me. Incredible feeling.”
I asked Vincent to share how it felt in front of a crowd that absolutely loved him. “It went so well for me on Wednesday, that I was sad that it was over. I looked out into the audience; I saw my family. I am so focused usually, but then this feeling came over me when I saw them. It was such a different feeling. So glad to have them.”
As the final notes faded away, the room erupted into thunderous applause, and demanded an encore. The young man stood on stage, a smile on his face, knowing that he had just witnessed the birth of his career.
I tell you, the team at Humanity Ova Vanity is solidifying their place in Toronto’s creative scene. It is incredible to see an organization embrace the essence of human creativity, curating experiences that transcend superficiality and celebrating the authentic expressions of people.
With every event that the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper is invited to, I am exposed, and have a deeper innerstanding about their commitment to showcasing the richness of human ingenuity. Through their curated experiences, they invite the world to witness the beauty that arises when humanity comes together in genuine expression, fostering connections and inspiring others to embrace their own creativity.
On Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024, the Black Screen Office (BSO) hosted a Fireside chat with O-T Fagbenle, an acclaimed: actor, writer, and director known for his roles in: “The Handmaid’s Tale,” (which earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor) “The First Lady,” and his creation “Maxxx.” In 2022, he starred as Cameron Lautner in the Apple TV+ drama “WeCrashed,” a series inspired by the tumultuous story of WeWork, and O-T can next be seen in the
The exclusive fireside chat in conversation with Donisha Prendergast was held at the Toronto Regional Board of Trade (The Quay) that forms part of the BSO Symposium, a platform dedicated to amplifying authentic African narratives and fostering substantial representation in the arts. The symposium successfully facilitated featured speakers from overseas and connected students with the opportunity to participate in creative discussion. The discussion revolved around bringing authentic African stories to life. It’s evident that African stories have been untold, mistold, and marginalized. While there are efforts to address this, they often seem minimal compared to the potential for true representation and impactful storytelling. The goal is to catalyze change.
The symposium became a starting place of strength, celebrating the global influence of African culture— the “origins of cool.” It featured: decision-makers, broadcasters, streamers, funders, distributors, producers, and creatives in the screen industry, a day for collective ideation on what’s possible, not just locally but globally.
The symposium was hosted by Melanie Nicholls King, and featured keynote interviews (Sean Cohan), and presentations from esteemed guests (Jully Black, Mark Bamuthi Joseph, Rob Maylor), roundtable discussions, networking opportunities, and special presentations. “This enriches our collective endeavor, making it not just a meeting but a milestone event for actionable change,” shares Donisha Prendergast Founder at HOV.
Joan Jenkinson, Executive Director of the BSO, stated, “Our mission at the Black Screen Office extends beyond
initiating dialogues; we aim to enact real change. O-T Fagbenle’s participation underscored our dedication to creating an inclusive screen industry that celebrates the richness of Black stories.”
If the success of the symposium was not enough, the rainy evening of April 2nd, 2024, brought its own treat. I made my way down to Its OK Studios to watch Canada’s #1 weekly podcast (now available on Apple Music), to watch a live episode of Extra Gravy with hosts: That Dude McFly, Alicia ‘Ace’ West and Big Norm. O-T made his second appearance of the day to screen episodes of “Maxxx!”
This will be a reunion of sorts and nothing short of comedic, as Marlon was one of the comedy writers who workshopped the development of Maxxx in Toronto (now showing on Channel 4 and later picked up by Hulu).
The highlight of my night was my sit-down interview (stay tuned for that) with Rob Maylor, a Jamaican-American lawyer, producer, and spearhead at Mental Telepathy Pictures. He is noted for executive producing “Sprinter,” championed by Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith. Collaborations with luminaries like Shaka King and companies such as Hillman Grad showcase his commitment to authentic storytelling.
With a rich background including stints at UTA, Mark Burnett Productions, and Magnolia Pictures, Rob’s expertise extends to notable projects like: Paramount’s “Bob Marley: One Love,” and HBO’s “Get Millie Black.”
I am excited about what he shared with me, and I know it is going to excite our creatives who are reading this. The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce and
home of Jamaica’s Film Commission, has announced the opening of the Call for Applications under the Jamaica Screen Development Initiative (JSDI).
The JSDI is a J$1 billion financing initiative by the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) aimed at bolstering and enriching the local film industry while attracting destination films. Through the JSDI, filmmakers, animators and creatives will be supported in developing eligible, local screen-based projects across various stages of development.
The Call for Applications for grant and loan support for Development, Production and Post-Production (Completion) phases end on April 28th, 2024. However, applications for Film Festivals and Market Attendance, applications for Marketing and Distribution, as well as Production Rebates will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Applications will be subjected to a validation check to ensure eligibility and assessment by an evaluation panel comprising local and international film industry experts. Assessment factors include: the strength of the application, demonstrated track record and/or ability to progress project development and execution, financial feasibility, market interests and marketing plan, as well as the overall benefit of the project to the Jamaican economy.
Exciting indeed! Application guidelines as well as the application form can be found at: https://dobusinessjamaica.com/jamaica-screen-development-initiative/.
Incredible work is being done here in Toronto, and we are so happy to be at the helm of it.
Canadian citizens have a broken relationship with their government; can it be fixed!
When a relationship fails, a lack of communication is often the reason given for the failure. Research in Europe (United Nations APA) has found the true culprit we should center on is not necessarily communication but lack of connection. If a couple is not connected to one another, they will feel isolated, attracted to others, and a split may happen. How can we see such a thing in our political sector? Why are most of the electorates feeling: isolated, distressed and uncomfortable with their elected officials and the governments that manage the region?
often ignored, and any form of transparency and accountability are thrown out the window of our government palaces.
Political animals need to consider these points:
• Stop trying to fix problems within a relationship. Problems will work themselves out in time. Explain clearly why, what and how to the electorate and give them time to consider and internalize.
• Most importantly, Be the person you were during the deepest connected phase of the relationship. Transparency, accountability and honesty will co-join and maintain connectivity of a relationship. Government and politicians must show themselves to be that which most attracted the public to them.
Acquiring and keeping political power is presented as a difficult thing to do. Perhaps we can look at this issue in a different manner and then point to the present-day political combatants and how they did in the past.
A marriage counsellor would suggest the following: lack of connection far exceeds importance than lack of communication. While one needs the other to connect, most emotional and psychological responses find connectivity as the essential element in a relationship. When people run for office, they present themselves in a particular manner, issuing plans, and promises. Once in power, an element and attitude of political dictatorship is seen. Politicians often pursue their own issues, and plans while ignoring those who elected them. The public, like members of a coupled team, are
• Politicians must restore a feeling of connection between the public, elected, and government. This connectivity can be seen by the public by doing things that create connections.
• Always be affectionate and give to your partner so a connection is made and developed.
• Value your partner and show them you value them by doing, saying, and proceeding with actions that will help the evolution of the relationship. The deaths of many thousands of citizens during the pandemic were recorded, amplified and the government’s sorrow shown.
Politicians the world over are all human, probably family people; they mean well and hope to serve the public honestly, making a difference. In the process of governmental design, with corporate influences everywhere, along with the realized inability to get government to move faster, more effectively, politicians falter, lose their enthusiasm, even become fatalistic. They lose their connection to those whom they wish to serve, the public.
Whether you’re a couple, a business, a social club, organization, or government, if you lose your connection to what means the most to you, you will falter, possibly fail. Connect to the other is key and it takes lots of effort to make personal, or organizational connectivity work.
HOV presents “CANNABIS, HERSTORY!” incorporating cannabis back into our stories
SIMONE SMITH
simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Cannabis has a long history of use in traditional medicine for treating various ailments such as: pain, inflammation, and menstrual disorders, which would have been of particular interest to women.
Yes! I want readers to really take a moment and attempt to put aside all preconceived notions when it comes to the discussion of cannabis. We are an enlightened people, and in our defense, the powers that be have diligently used psychological techniques to keep us in the dark. The best form of enlightenment is education, so I want you to hang in here with me.
From as early as the second dynasty in Egypt, women have been documented exploring cannabis for: herbal healing, as a sacrament, for meditation, for liberation, and even during the various phases of motherhood.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, women’s participation in herbalism and spiritual practices evolved alongside social and cultural changes. Women like Maria Sabina, a Mazatec curandera from Mexico, gained rec
cannabis into their traditional practices, including medicinal, spiritual, and recreational uses. In North America, Indigenous peoples have a long history of using cannabis for both medicinal and ceremonial purposes.
For example, in Canada, several Indigenous tribes have used cannabis in their traditional practices. The Cree, a First Nations people in northern Quebec and Labrador, historically used cannabis for medicinal purposes. They would make teas from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant to treat various ailments, including pain, inflammation, and respiratory conditions.
There are genesis points in history of psychological manipulation of the masses, and one consequential point was when European colonizers brought their own herbal knowledge, which sometimes conflicted with indigenous practices. Guess who kept the knowledge, and wisdom alive? You guessed it, women. Women, both Indigenous and settlers, played essential roles in maintaining and transmitting herbal knowledge within their communities. During the prohibition of cannabis, the criminalization that women experienced was far less documented, thus not often included in plans for harm reduction.
I am able to share this information with you readers this week because there is a blossoming pedagogy that has been curated to demystify and educate our community. Humanity Ova Vanity (sponsored by OCS, and The Don Arts Academy) invited the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper team to “CANNABIS, HERSTORY,” a curated cannabis education activation platforming the woman’s: personal, historical, traditional, cultural use and experience of cannabis. What I have learned about the team at HOV is that they are more than just a non-profit organization;
they are architects of social change. Their journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of a world where humanity triumphs over vanity. Rooted in the belief that everyone has a role to play, they empower individuals and corporations to actively participate in community development.
On Sunday March 31st, 2024, our photographer David Henry made his way down to The Don on Danforth. When I checked in to hear about his experience, his first comment to me was, “Simone; you should have definitely been at this one.” He then went on to share his experience from a male perspective, which in itself was interesting.
The afternoon was moderated by Maya Palacio, recognized in Bermuda as “A young, standalone journalist with an appetite for truth,” (The Bermudian magazine). She graciously navigated the experience and encouraged guests to partake in featured art by visual artist Komi Olaf. Born in Nigeria, Komi Olafimihan is a visual artist from Ottawa, Canada, who employs the domains of painting, digital illustration and mural art. His work is recognized for his ability to engage image, metaphor, symbolism and cultural commentary to address notions of decolonization through the lens of Afrofuturism –-an artistic and cultural movement that explores African culture and its intersection with present and future technologies.
There was also a special presentation on cannabis and women’s wellness by The Cannabis Doula who shared expert knowledge and data on safe and traditional cannabis use for mothers. Melanie Julion, LCCE, HCHI, HCHD, PFc, creator and founder of “The Cannabis Doula, Inc.”, was called to birth work after becoming pregnant while working at a licensed medical cannabis culti-
vation center in 2015. After facing stigma and discrimination for her cannabis use, she began seeking ways to empower and educate women, birthing people, and families who, like her, were consuming cannabis medicine holistically during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.
The afternoon had some added spice when Cue Kirk, a Tobagonian Canadian spoken word artist, dub poet, and author in Toronto, Canada stepped on the stage. She is known to silence the room with her raw and captivating verses of traversing tribulation and self-empowerment.
I am disappointed that I missed the short film presentation and talkback with Director Donisha Prendergast and women who have been impacted by the criminalization of cannabis. Now, this is the part that I am going to follow up and get some more details on. I am curious about the stories that will be shared in that short film, and my hope is that it will have the necessary impact. We as a community need to extend our perspectives, and curated art has become a powerful way of catalyzing this extension.
Some other impactful initiatives that we can look forward to from HOV are: “Protecting ME,” an initiative that will empower humans on their healing journey, and “Art is Rebellion,” a conversation around how, when, and why art functions as a tool for rebellion through cultural preservation.
Whether you are an individual looking to make a difference, or a corporation seeking to enhance your social impact, HOV continues to curate platforms that engage and interact with people at all levels. Their goal is to build a future where the collective power of compassion and responsibility reshapes communities and transcends boundaries.
STEVEN
KASZAB
steven@carib101.com
TC COLUMNIST
time when a group must unite and facilitate the Confederacy of itself for its own protection, management and policing. For the Caribbean that time is now. A United Caribbean, a New United Nation!
Most superpowers look upon the Caribbean nations as ports of call, places to hide their money and send their tourists too. China, America, Britain, France, and the Arab world manage to control much of the Islands; infrastructure, ports, hotels and have undue influence upon the Caribbean political realities.
Haiti is a perfect example. Abused by colonialists like France, their independence brought only oppression, tyranny and exploitation from the international community’s financial sector. Now their capital is
overrun by gangsters and villains and Haiti’s Government had to go to international organizations to attempt to bring their Island under control. Kenyan Soldiers in Haiti? The Caribbean can outwit and overcome all its political-security needs as a united force.
The job of protecting a Caribbean nation’s security, protecting its citizens must fall into the hands of a United Caribbean Confederation, not foreign influenced. Combining the region’s: wealth, international influence, police and military capabilities, a United Caribbean can make do without the undue influences of: China, America and other political-financial vultures.
Like Quebec, the Caribbean must protect its: culture, natural resources, population and future development from the
international manipulation that it has experienced for hundreds of years. Enslavement comes in many forms, and it does not matter who the slave traders are, be it: financial-political colonists, China expansionists, American capitalists or European adventurists. A united Caribbean stands a better chance working together for its own benefit, and not the benefit of old-time exploiters, abusers and building a wealthy and prosperous region lies in selfish determination.
Americans, China and others care firstly about their needs, not those of: Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, or the Caribbean region. The Caribbean comes first, second and last. A United Caribbean can survive and develop its future economic and political challenges.
“Stop egging me on!” Companies are simply getting better at carefully wording things on their packaging
simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
“Alright, eggs. That’s all I need,” you say to yourself. “Ah, there we go!”
You make your way to the dairy aisle, scanning the shelves for the eggs: Cage-free. Free-range. Hormone-free. Pasture-raised. Natural. Organic.
It’s gotten more and more challenging to keep track of what all the egg cartons at the supermarket even mean. Consumers want to feel like the chickens producing their eggs have been humanely raised, and they’re willing to shell out cash to anyone who can tell them that’s the case. There are a lot of options, and we want the chickens who lay eggs to live humane lives, but we have to understand that cheaper food might just be at the expense of something, and in this case, it is at the expense of chickens.
Here’s the thing: Some companies are simply getting better at carefully wording things on their packaging to make it seem like their chickens are living better lives. So, which labels should you look for, and which labels are just clever marketing designed to trick you into paying more for your eggs? Unfortunately, the idea of factory farms is a reality, and how you are getting your eggs is going to horrify you.
Chickens are remarkable creatures known for their egg-laying abilities, but their productive lifespan in this regard varies depending on various factors including breed, health, and environment. Generally, most laying hens will start laying eggs at around five to six months of age and will continue to do so for several years. Factory farming often involves keeping chickens in cramped, unsanitary conditions with little room to move, leading to stress, injuries, and poor welfare. Practices such as: overcrowding, selective breeding for fast growth, and the use of cages, or overcrowded indoor environments raise ethical questions about how the animals are treated.
Factory farming practices, including the heavy use of antibiotics to promote growth and prevent disease in crowded con -
ditions, have raised concerns about the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can pose a threat to human health. Additionally, the crowded and unsanitary conditions in which chickens are raised can increase the risk of disease transmission among the animals, potentially leading to outbreaks that can affect both animal and human populations.
Let’s look at the lingo they are using to trick you into thinking that you are getting what you think you are getting:
“Cage-free eggs” refers to eggs that come from hens that are not kept in cages. Instead, they are typically housed in large barns, or warehouses where they are free to roam, perch, and lay their eggs in nests. Cage-free systems generally provide hens with more space and the ability to engage in natural behaviors compared to traditional cage systems.
However, it’s important to note that while cage-free systems offer some improvements in animal welfare compared to traditional cages, they do not guarantee that the hens have access to outdoor areas, or natural sunlight, nor do they address other important welfare issues such as beak trimming, or overcrowding. The specific conditions within cage-free facilities can vary widely depending on the farm and the standards they adhere to.
“Free-range eggs” come from hens that are allowed some level of access to the outdoors, as opposed to being confined solely to cages or indoor pens. The term “free-range” suggests that the hens have the ability to roam around and engage in natural behaviors like scratching and pecking. However, there are a few potential catches or considerations with free-range eggs:
• Different countries and regions have varying definitions and regulations regarding what constitutes “free-range.” Some standards may require a certain amount of outdoor access per hen, while others may be less stringent. This can lead to inconsistency in the quality of life for the hens and the nutritional content of the eggs.
• In some cases, free-range systems can still involve large numbers of hens crowded into relatively small outdoor spaces. This can lead to competition for resources and potential welfare issues among the hens.
Free-range eggs often come at a higher price point compared to conventional eggs due to
the additional space and resources required to produce them. Consumers may need to weigh the perceived benefits of free-range production against the higher cost.
Now we want to present to you some options that might help some of you feel less guilty when cracking that egg at breakfast time:
Animal Welfare Approved
Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) is a certification program that sets rigorous standards for the welfare of farm animals. Established by the non-profit organization, the Animal Welfare Institute, AWA ensures that animals raised for food are treated with respect and care throughout their lives. Farms that receive the AWA certification must adhere to strict criteria regarding living conditions, space allowances, access to the outdoors, and humane handling practices. The certification not only benefits the animals but also empowers consumers to make informed choices that align with their values.
Certified Humane
Certified Humane is a rigorous animal welfare certification program that ensures animals are raised, handled, and slaughtered according to high standards of care and compassion. Administered by Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), Certified Humane sets criteria for housing, diet, healthcare, and handling practices on farms and facilities. Farmers and producers who meet these standards provide animals with more spacious and enriched environments, access to the outdoors, and the opportunity to engage in natural behaviors. This certification empowers consumers to make ethical choices, fostering a greater connection between consumers and the animals that provide their food.
Global Animal Partnership
Global Animal Partnership (GAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the welfare of farm animals around the world. Established in 2008, GAP works with farmers, producers, and retailers to set and implement comprehensive animal welfare standards. These standards cover a range of factors including housing, diet, healthcare, and handling practices. By partnering with stakeholders across the food industry, GAP aims to create a more humane and sustainable future for farm animals, promoting transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain.
In the quiet depths of Rivoli in St. Catherine, Jamaica, amidst the echoes of hardship and the shadows of adversity, a beacon of creativity emerges, illuminating the path to healing and self-expression. Meet Dwayne Grant, a visionary artist, whose captivating works serve as a testament to the power of art to transcend pain and transform darkness into light.
Dwayne’s journey through the labyrinth of life has been marked by trials and tribulations that would break even the strongest spirit. Raised amidst poverty and violence, his childhood was a battleground, where hunger gnawed at his belly and fear gripped his heart like icy tendrils. Yet, amidst the chaos and despair, art became his sanctuary - a refuge from the storm raging outside. His canvases tell stories of resilience and redemption, each brushstroke a testament to the indomitable human spirit. With
heavy abstract strokes, infused with elements of expressionism and impressionism, Dwayne channels his innermost emotions onto the canvas, transforming pain into poetry, and anguish into art.
At the heart of Dwayne’s creations lie moments of profound significance, etched into the very fabric of his being. From the loss of a dear friend to the scars of childhood trauma, each painting is a window into his soul, inviting viewers to bear witness to his journey of self-discovery and healing.
Yet, amidst the darkness, there is hope – a glimmer of light that shines through in every stroke of his brush. Through his collaborations with fellow artists and community projects, Dwayne seeks to bridge divides and spark conversations that transcend borders and barriers. For him, art is more than just a medium of self-expression – it is a language of empathy, a universal beacon of understanding.
As Dwayne looks to the future, his vision is clear – to be a voice for the voiceless,
a champion of empathy and understanding in a world plagued by division and discord. Through his art, he hopes to inspire others to embrace their inner creativity, to nurture their inner child, and to find solace in the beauty of the human experience.
From his collection of the “The Begger’s Soul” three of the pieces are currently on display at the National Gallery of Jamaica while the “Tar Baby” piece was featured on Olympia cover newsletter.
So, let us pay homage to Dwayne Grant, a true maestro of the soul, whose brushstrokes paint a portrait of resilience, redemption, and the enduring power of the human spirit. In a world often shrouded in darkness, his art shines as a beacon of hope, reminding us of all to cherish each moment, for life is but a canvas, and every stroke counts.
Art lovers can take their eyes on a tour by viewing some of Dwayne’s work on Instagram @giftd_giftd_giftd
W. GIFFORDJONES MD
DIANA GIFFORD-JONES
TC HEALTH COLUMNIST
Will humans ever learn to care for their kidneys, or will they live to count mixed blessings – staying alive but reliant on a machine to clean the blood? This, or a kidney transplant, is the result of endstage kidney failure.
Over 40 million North Americans are living with the precursor, chronic kidney disease. Astonishingly, nine in ten sufferers are unaware they have the problem, but the body knows, and as the disease progresses, other health problems including stroke and heart attack can result.
A dialysis machine can remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when kidneys stop working.
I get it; you just like to stay connected. Everyone does it. Sometimes, it seems like you’re not enjoying yourself as much as you used to. Maybe you’re right, but it’s not like you are addicted, or anything. You can stop whenever you want.
It’s not about being addicted, it’s about finding a balance. Social media can be great, but when it starts affecting your mental well-being, that’s when it becomes a problem.
I get it. It’s easy to get sucked into the digital world without realizing it, but it’s important to take breaks, to disconnect and focus on the real world too, and this week we are going to help you navigate the break that you need to take from the digital diaspora.
In a world where many jobs are fast-paced and digitally driven, the constant influx of emails, notifications, and media feeds can feel overwhelming. For many, being inundated with so much information at once can take a real toll on your mental and physical wellness, but what if there was a way to regain control and harmony again?
In a research study titled, “The Relationship between Social Media and the Increase in Mental Health Problems, (Hasan Beyari) the researcher found that deterioration in mental health is one of the side effects stemming from social media overuse. This study investigated the relationship between social media and the increase in mental health problems in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has a high level of social media usage, with 82.3% of the population (29.5 million people) using social media in 2022.
Dialysis patients require treatment three to seven times a week, for three or more hours per session, in a hospital, clinic, or at home. Year after year, the number of people needing dialysis is increasing. Why? North Americans continue to abuse the kidney’s one million delicate nephrons.
We tend to think the bowel is the main disposal organ of the body, but it’s the kidneys. They’re like chemists that day after day checks the balance of water by keeping it neither too acidic, nor too alkaline. They also help in the production of red blood cells. Every 30 minutes, kidneys filter the body’s entire volume of blood.
What are some of the problems?
A discussion year’s ago with the Director of the Transplant Nephrology Clinic at The John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore was shocking. He said that 5% of all hospital patients developed acute kidney injury! He added this figure jumps to 23% for those in intensive care and to 30% among patients scheduled for heart surgery.
Those odds should be a remind-
er that prevention is better than cure, but the doctor explained this was the price to pay for surgical operations and other treatments.
Many hospital procedures require invasive injections and catheters before and after surgery. Doctors and the nursing staff know the dangers of infection. Often it’s a roll of the dice that determines the outcome. Hospitals are dangerous environments.
What about lifestyle? Do you have “Pillitis”? It’s the terrible folly of so many people who cannot stand even a little headache, or sniffle. They mindlessly pop a “minor painkiller.” Those pills eventually take their toll on nephrons that clear waste products from the blood.
The worst offenders are the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Don’t believe big pharma that there’s no need to put up with pain. Your purchases are great for their profits. Placing a cool cloth on the forehead and relaxing can cure some headaches.
Young people, who make up 36.74% of the population, are the biggest users of social media in Saudi Arabia, with 98.43% of young people using social networking sites. The top three reasons given by Saudis for using social media are: keeping in touch with friends and family, use of free time, and finding products to purchase.
The researcher recommended that social media users be cautious when interacting with social media features, especially likes, comments, followers, media, and posts, because of their significant effect on mental health.
Another interesting research study titled, “Mental Health Surveillance over Social Media with Digital Cohorts,” (Silvio Amir, Mark Dredze and John W. Ayers) the researchers thought that it was worth noting that they found that Blacks and Hispanics who show a high usage of social media were more likely to be affected by mental illnesses. One possible reason for this disparity is that racial minorities are more likely to come from communities with lower education rates and socioeconomic status (SES), and to be in a position where they lack proper health coverage and mental-health care.
I think that you get the point; it might just be time to step away from that device that for some of you has become your lifeline. I want to introduce the 14Day Digital Detox Challenge, a challenge that was introduced to me by HubSpot. It is a journey that aims to restore balance and mindfulness in your life, both at work and at home. This challenge has tips, tricks, and tools to help you disconnect where you can—even if your job requires you to be plugged in.
Day One starts your 14-day digital detox challenge with mindful mornings that set the tone for the rest of your day and promotes a sense of calm and focus.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for your overall wellbeing and productivity.
Other huge problems are getting worse year after year. About half of North Americans are obese. Obesity contributes to 95% of type 2-diabetes. Obesity and diabetes combine to trigger further health problems for an increasing number of people, including diseased kidneys that require kidney dialysis machines.
It’s depressing to see people destroying healthy kidneys with oftenneedless medication. The other tragedy is that many people have no idea this is happening, but there does come a time when kidney failure becomes quite apparent. That’s when the need for a kidney machine becomes crystal clear. Transplants are more common now, but the operation is no less of a risk.
Nocturnal dialysis allows patients to receive treatment while they sleep. While this helps some to work during the day, or care for children, it also requires trained nurses to stay up at night monitoring these individuals, either in person or remotely.
• On Day Two of your digital detox challenge, it focuses on creating clear boundaries between your work and personal life.
• On Day Three, you have a chance to organize your digital devices and online presence, so that you can enhance productivity and reduce distractions.
• On Day Four of your digital detox challenge, your focus will be on establishing a productive routine that enables focused and efficient work while also allowing time for personal activities and hobbies.
• By taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, Day Five helps you maintain balance and perform at your best.
• Day Six helps you understand that by disconnecting from digital devices and engaging in face-to-face interactions, you can strengthen relationships and joy in your daily experiences.
• Day Seven has you setting clear goals, tracking progress, and celebrating accomplishments that can increase productivity and maintain motivation.
• Day Eight focuses on: incorporating mindful app usage, setting intentional screen time limits, and reflecting on the impact of excessive screen time. The point is to enhance your well-being and productivity.
• By implementing techniques such as: creating filters and folders, utilizing email management tools, setting specific times to check and respond to emails, and writing effective emails, Day Nine shows that you can improve your productivity and reduce email-related stress.
• Day 10 is all about re-evaluating your relationship with social platforms and focusing on online activities to reflect on the positive and negative effects of social media on your worklife balance.
• Day 11 allows you to explore the importance of avoiding digital multitasking and focus on techniques that can help increase productivity and reduce distractions. By prioritizing single-tasking and implementing strategies like the Pomodoro Technique (designed to improve productivity by breaking work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks for timeblocking), you can optimize your work and accomplish more.
• Day 12 explores the power of mindful communication and how it can enhance relationships, both in the workplace and personal life. By practicing active listening and mindful communication techniques, you can foster empathy, understanding, and open-mindedness in your interactions.
• Day 13 explores the benefits of spending time in nature, and how it can enhance your well-being and reduce stress. Engaging in activities such as walks in the park, gardening, or simply observing and appreciating nature can have a profound impact on your productivity and overall mental health.
• Finally, Day 14, the final day focuses on reflection and goal adjustment, allowing you to assess the progress you’ve made throughout the challenge and make any necessary adjustments to your goals. By applying self-reflection and goal-setting techniques, you can continuously improve and set yourself up for ongoing success.
Are you ready for your Digital Detox; don’t worry, in 14 days, you can get yourself back on track, and become even more productive than you were before. Good luck, and if you are open to the challenge, let us know how things go.
simone@carib101.com
In the not-so-distant past, having a tattoo was often viewed as a mark of rebellion, or deviance from societal norms. People with tattoos were frequently stigmatized and unfairly judged, their inked skin seen as a reflection of their character, or morality. Tattoos were associated with certain subcultures, or marginalized groups, leading to stereotypes and misconceptions about those who adorned themselves with ink. Thankfully (for me, and many others) as time has progressed, perceptions have shifted dramatically.
Tattoos are now celebrated as forms of self-expression, art, and personal storytelling. Society has become more open-minded and accepting, recognizing that tattoos do not define a person’s worth, or identity. From corporate professionals to creative artists, individuals from all walks of life proudly display their tattoos, embracing their uniqueness and diversity.
This transformation reflects a broader cultural shift towards inclusivity and respect for individual autonomy. In today’s society, tattoos serve as badges of honor, commemorating meaningful experiences,
honoring loved ones, or simply showcasing one’s creativity. So, it was only a matter of time until we actually had our own day, a time to finally create an official holiday for the tattoo community! March 21st, 2024, was World Tattoo Day, a day of breaking down stereotypes, as well as demystifying and destigmatizing the tattoo industry and the evergrowing cultural phenomenon of the craft.
There is an artist amid Toronto’s buzzing tattoo scene that stands out as an industry leader, drawing passionate clients from across the globe who travel to his studio, Tony Tonez Tattoos. As a Toronto-based tattoo artist, Tony Duran pulls inspiration from his cultural roots in “The Chicano Style,” a vibrant fusion that contains varied influences, including the Mexican Revolution to LA’s low-rider culture.
In the realm of artistry, particularly in fields such as: makeup, tattooing, or portraiture, a profound understanding and skill in working with all skin types are indispensable, and it is a skill that Tony has mastered. This holds especially true for darker skin tones, which have historically been underrepresented and underserved in many artistic disciplines.
When Tony speaks to the nuances of darker skin. He explains that it is not merely a matter of technical proficiency; it’s a testament to an artist’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. From comprehending the subtleties of undertones to ensuring colors pop vibrantly, the ability to celebrate and enhance the beauty of darker skin requires both expertise and empathy. In today’s diverse world, where representation
matters more than ever, Tony speaks to the fact that artists must equip themselves with the knowledge and techniques to cater to the full spectrum of skin tones, affirming the inherent beauty of every individual they encounter.
I had an opportunity to steal some of this artist’s time, and during our discussion, Tony shared with me the importance of spreading more knowledge about tattoos. “A lot of people are not educated on the process,” Tony shared. “It is a lot more than picking an image and putting it on your skin.”
“When someone comes into my shop, or makes an appointment, I make sure to do my research. I ask questions like, what type of work do you do? I look at their age, especially if they want to do a certain type of tattoo. I remind them that it is a lifetime commitment, not a decision that should be made on a whim.”
“I have tattooed: police officers, lawyers, and real estate agents. I have even had some famous people in my chair, most notably Cory Joseph. People admire great artwork, and with how tattoos are accepted now, you would be surprised at who ends up in my chair.”
“What advice would you give to individuals who may be hesitant to get tattoos due to concerns about societal judgments or stereotypes, especially those related to gender and professionalism,” I asked?
“Again, it’s about asking the right questions; what can you stare at in the mirror with confidence? Will you be excited 10 years down the line? What means the most to you? Depending on the answer, I lend my
professional advice at that time. It is really up to the individual, but I take the time to work through the process with them before we get anything started.”
Artists like Tony Duran are important to the industry. Spreading knowledge about the process of getting tattoos is essential due to widespread misconceptions and a lack of education among many individuals. After speaking with Tony, I now understand why educating people about the tattooing process helps dispel myths and alleviate fears associated with it.
By understanding the intricacies involved, individuals can make informed decisions about whether tattooing is right for them and what to expect throughout the process. Moreover, raising awareness about the importance of choosing a reputable and licensed tattoo artist can contribute to safer practices within the industry. Through education, Tony empowers individuals to approach tattooing with confidence, respect, and a better understanding of its artistry and cultural significance.
As the stigma surrounding tattoos continues to fade, we move towards a more inclusive and accepting society where selfexpression is celebrated rather than judged. If you are interested in learning more about tattoos and if this representation of artwork is right for you; take a trip down to Tony Tonez Tattoos and learn everything you need to know about entering this burgeoning art world. Make sure to check out his incredibly, impressive artwork style at https://tonytonez.com/tonez-tattoos.
It has been eight years now since the federal government passed the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Bill in Canada. The passage of Bill C-14 in 2016 after the Supreme Court ruling in 2015 in the case of Carter Canada ruled that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are violated if there is complete ban on assisted dying. Many believe that as a nation we have passed the point of no return and there is not much we can do to change course. The le -
galization of assisted death has opened Pandora’s box. The passage of a bill on February 26th, 2024, to delay MAID for mental illness in Ottawa is good news, but too late.
One of the challenges that legislators have to deal with in Ottawa is when they should pass legislation to extend MAID to people who suffer from mental illness. On Thursday, February 1st, 2024, they tabled a bill that delayed this extension until 2027. They hope that four years from now they will be able to come to some sort of consensus.
In an op-ed piece in the Toronto Star on Tuesday, February 6th, the writer raises concerns about the dramatic rise in MAID provisions and our limited understanding about what’s driving the increase. The article quotes data that show that between 2019 and 2022, there was an increase in assisted deaths by an average of 31.1%. There were over 13,000 assisted deaths in 2022, which
represents approximately four percent of the total number of deaths in Canada. This rapid increase “Makes Canada the fastest MAID adopter in history,” according to an analysis obtained from Health Canada’s Fourth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada. If MAID was listed as a cause of death by Statistics Canada, it would account for the sixth major cause of death in Canada.
This is great cause for concern as it begs the question, “What is driving this significant escalation in the number of people who are choosing assisted dying as a resort to deal with the pain and suffering of this present world?”
There is presently anecdotal evidence that seems to indicate that a lack of economic, or social support and “loneliness or isolation “ are possible factors. Approximately 17% ascribed loneliness as a factor in their decision to seek MAID.
The fact that the World Health Organization does not document physicians code MAID deaths, but instead ascribes it to the underlying condition makes it hard to know the exact figure. The data on MAID that have occurred within Canada in the past two years indicate reasons for concerns. At the outset of MAID all that was required was that a patient meet all of the following criteria which include a serious illness, or disability, in an “advanced state” of decline that could not be reversed, experiencing unbearable physical, or mental suffering, and when natural death was “reasonably foreseeable.”
Many of the troubling and alarming situations result from what motivated Canadians to consider MAIDS. There is the case of Alan Nichols who according to The Associated Press, mentioned that hearing loss was his medical status, but opted for MAID after being hospitalized for suicidal ideation.
Not just a reunion; It’s a powerful catalyst for unity and growth.
simone@carib101.com
“Under the theme ‘United for Jamaica’s Transformation: Fostering Peace, Prosperity and Youth Empowerment,’ this year’s conference promises to be a pivotal platform for collaboration between Jamaicans, the Government and other stakeholders, as we work towards achieving the national development goals.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith
There is definitely excitement surrounding the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, and this excitement was evident at the launch that took place on Thursday April 4th, 2024, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, 2 Port Royal Street, Kingston. The Conference theme is “United for Jamaica’s Transformation: Fostering Peace, Productivity, and Youth Empowerment,” and the hybrid event will be held June 16th – 19th, 2024, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. It will be the first in-person conference since the COVID-19 pandemic.
TC REPORTER PAUL JUNOR
The Jamaica Diaspora Conference is a signature biennial global forum that connects Jamaicans and persons of Jamaican descent living across the globe with the aim to strengthen linkages and build alliances that will fuel Jamaica’s growth and development on the world stage.
Since its inception, participation in the conference has steadily increased and as such this year’s target is 5,000 participants. The conference highlights that the Jamaican Diaspora represents much more than their ability to produce remittances, with its significant untapped economic impact on entrepreneurship development and the transfer of new and emerging skills.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Alando Terrelonge, who carries the day-to-day mandate for Diaspora Affairs, explained that the conference will also celebrate the cultural heritage and achievements of Jamaicans worldwide, while providing a platform for networking and dialogue on critical issues facing the Diaspora and Jamaica. He said marketing Jamaica as ‘Destination Trade and Investment’ and using the conference to provide key linkages for investment opportunities, is to “Get Jamaicans across the diaspora to invest in Jamaica, see investment returns, and see yourselves earning money.”
“Everyone knows Jamaica for its sunshine, but Jamaica is more than our beaches. It’s more than coming down and having a Red Stripe beer, having some jerked chicken or going to Dunn’s
River Falls. Jamaica is also one of the best economies in the developing world,” the State Minister said.
Key stakeholders, including Conference Chairman Mr. Courtney Campbell, Legacy Partners VM Group, GraceKennedy Group, and Jamaica National Group Limited, were lauded by both Ministers for their unwavering support and contributions to Diaspora engagement.
The Thursday rising launch also saw the attendance of other Government Ministers such as: the Honourable Delroy Chuck, Honourable Franklyn Witter and the Hon. Marsha Smith, as well as representatives from a slew of Jamaican business conglomerates, who have expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming conference, emphasizing the importance of unity in propelling Jamaica towards unprecedented growth and inclusivity.
Guests attending the Conference this year will have thematic sessions addressing the following:
• Educational transformation through digitalization: exchange, exposure and opportunities for self-actualization in Jamaica and the diaspora
• Embracing the migration compact: sustaining a thriving diaspora
• Breaking barriers and building futures: empowering Jamaican communities with citizen security, entrepreneurship, digital age technologies, and productivity, in partnership with the diaspora
• Empowering the youth for the future economy: actions and pathways to
success and paying it forward
• Tourism and wealth creation
During her keynote address, Foreign Minister the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, highlighted the significance of the diaspora’s contributions to Jamaica’s development including strategic partnerships in various sectors: healthcare, education and other socio-economic sectors. She also shared that the Ministry anticipates the official launch of the Jamaica Diaspora Engagement Model (JAM-DEM), to also explore trade and investment opportunities aimed at furthering Jamaica’s development.
Guests also have the Marketplace to look forward to, as well as the Government at Your Service sections which will facilitate access to a wide range of services from both the business and public sectors. The Diaspora Day of Service will take place on June 20th, 2024, and will entail a wide range of charitable projects pioneered and supported by the diaspora across the country. In some cases, there is broader coordination from within regions and some initiatives are pursued at the individual or organizational level. Projects are registered on an event platform to facilitate broader support, coordination and reach.
The launch had surprises like a digital dollar giveaway, and other engagement surprises that ensured that as the world gathers in Montego Bay, this in-person conference after five long years will not just be a reunion; it’s a powerful catalyst for unity and growth. Register NOW to be a part of this historic homecoming.
The Canadian College of Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals is empowering the next generation of leaders
paul@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
It was an: empowering, inspiring, and uplifting day when graduates of the Black Youth Action Plan celebrated their successful completion of funded micro-credential courses offered by the Canadian College of Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals (CCHAP). These courses were supported by the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM). The graduation ceremony was held at the Best Western Plus in Toronto and included guests, visitors and family members of the graduates of the Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP).
The BYAP has been in operation since 2017 when it was launched by the previous Ontario Liberal government of Kathleen Wynne. There was a $47 million four-year commitment with the goal “to help reduce disparities for Black children, youth and families, with a focus on the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) as well as Ottawa and Windsor. The PC-led Ford government has continued funding BYAP.
The CHAP is a career college licensed by the Ministry of College and Universities. It offers diplomas, certificates, job-ready training and skills development workshops in the health sector. In addition, the: convenience, flexibility, and affordability of its programs is ideal for: high school graduates, and mature students, undergraduate students and degree holders, newcomers, international students and internationally educated health professionals. The website mentions that “We’re dedicated to breaking down barriers that have hindered representation in the past. We’re passionate about creating equal opportunities and empowering the next generation of leaders.”
Details about the micro-credentials’ courses were described on the Facebook page of CCHAP on September 14th, 2023. It notes that they are delighted to announce a fully funded program aimed to upskill and place Black Ontarian Youth and early career professionals in highpaying jobs in the health sector in the GTHA. They state further that in collaboration with the MCM, “We plan to provide anti-racism leadership and expertise to eliminate systemic barriers and promote racial equity, leading to greater opportunity for people and prosperity for the province of Ontario.”
Under the BYAP, CCHAP aims to improve the access of Black youth and
early career professionals for in-demand skills in medical diagnosis, clinical research, business analytics, and health by offering hands-on training with job experience. The fully funded CCHAP microcredential courses offer:
• Phlebotomy Certificate Program
• Clinical Research Essentials
• Healthcare & Business Analytics
In order to register in these courses, students must satisfy the following conditions:
• You are a Black young person aged 18 to 34 years.
• Completed high school diploma with subjects including English, Biology and Mathematics, or equivalent.
• Aptitude towards working in the health sector and innovative clinical research, or business analytics.
• Completion, or enrolment in a health sector focused post-secondary program.
In a Facebook post on November 23rd, 2023, titled, “Empowering Black Youth: Our Funding Program,” CCHAP gives details about the programs that the career college offers. It notes further, “We’re committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity in every facet of our society. To support this mission, we’re thrilled to an -
nounce our broad-new funding program aimed at improving Black youth representation.”
One of the most inspiring moments was the Black Anthem performed by Patricia Shirley-Okujene, a Black artist. The guest speaker at the graduation ceremony was Rahel Danihom, RN, clinical manager at Shouldice Hospital. Rahel explained how as a Black person in a leadership role in the healthcare sector, she draws inspiration from trail blazer Black health professionals. In her speech she spoke about the importance of diversity and representation in the healthcare industry. She lists five positive outcomes which result such as:
• Patient-centered care
• Reducing disparity
• Quality of care
• Breaking stereotypes
• Representation in leadership which provides equitable high quality care
I spoke to Hager Bekursion, the founder of Provincial Employment Consultants on Monday, March 5th, 2024, regarding her involvement with the CCHAP. She played a vital role by providing support to the 60 participants who were recruited in the program and in job support. Hager was contracted in October 2023, but she looks forward to continuing in 2024.
Men’s contributions must be noticed, and history has always produced influential men who can drive ideas forward. Prominent men convict the hearts of their followers and drive conversations forward, creating new pathways for the next generation to walk. Two men are a part of this generation’s roster of influential men standing at the edge of developing ideas. Jamar Adams-Thompson and Kyle Brown are two accomplished and experienced actors who are paving the way in the taboo conversation surrounding men’s mental health.
Jamar and Kyle have, throughout their careers, made every effort to positively influence the people around them through their work and activism. Their next display of bravery comes in the form of a play titled Tysons song, which speaks heavily on themes of the Black male experience in North America, more specifically Canada, and the traumas and vulnerabilities that surround our livelihood in this country.
Professionals generally have choices as to what roles they take on; through auditions and networking they obtain roles that they desire and some that they don’t. These gentlemen chose this role because of the heavy impact that it would have on the community. These elements align with the core values that Thompson and Brown hold dear to their hearts.
Their shared experiences that Black men of all ages can relate to come out in their work and their pas-
sion in their craft. Theatre is an art form like any that is full of emotion and the skill and talent to portray that emotion effectively is what separates the professionals from the viewers. Taking on roles that personify the mental perspective of an actor causes that role to be amplified to new heights. This ability is what these gentlemen use to connect to the masses, and using their platform push conversations forward. The projects these gentlemen take on speak to their selflessness and desire to see a change in the community they are a part of.
Artistry is an outlet, and most artists use their talents to express their own selfish thoughts and feelings. However, Thompson and Brown use their art in the same manner, but in an externalized way. They seek to take their message and place in front of the eyes of everyone who enjoys their art and respects their craft. So, in every role you come to know more and more about their passion and progress through this life.
A commonality in the thought process of these artists is intentionality. While Tysons Song speaks to certain themes, they boast a need to showcase these thoughts on and off stage. The world is in need of role models, and too often young people pick entertainers who do not care about their fans, or they romanticize characters in stories who they may not fully understand. These actors are a bit different; they are embodying characters who have
lives that they can step into with all of their experience and make the act itself so personal that it is difficult to separate the two of them from one another. A feat only the most seasoned and well-intentioned artists are capable of, completely owning their art or a better way of describing it would be a person becoming art themselves.
Becoming art is only half the battle; one of the most difficult aspects that Brown and Thompson face is reaching other people who have similar platforms to help carry the conversation, and so they start from where they can. Through every opportunity to mention how the Black man’s experience shapes perceptions of the world, and that it is ok to have those conversations of similar happy, but also traumatic experiences that plague communities. It is a full-time job to shoulder the responsibility of embodying an idea, but once again it is the few and far between who find themselves taking on these tasks. These are the men that people look back on and remember in history as the ones who helped shape it according to their actions.
With everything involved, Black people must see these two on and off the stage and realize that they can embody anything they choose to. As actors, they show others that they can become exactly what they dream of, whether it is in the current space they are in, or if they have dreams and desires outside of the realm of theater.
The confidence to go after what
you want is what is important, then taking that platform and using it to speak a message that impacts the public is the truest essence of artistry and the purpose of men. Not every man will garner influence from their community, and so it is important to find ones who do and listen to their message. Once men of influence are found they need to be surrounded similarly by other men of influence to build themselves up and create positive bonds that become the foundations of community.
Thompson and Brown are two individuals who found one another, both holding influence and purpose within the community and so they are able to grow one another. Their shared profession and similar experiences and desires bind them together in a relationship that may very well extend beyond the theater, but they will always remain as a source of positivity in one another’s lives pushing each other to advance and share their underrated message to the masses, taking it as far as they can go.
Written by Adrian Reece Toronto Caribbean News
Ontario’s clean steel projects are like taking two million cars off the road while creating thousands of jobs.
TRINIDAD VS JAMAICA
MOTHER’S DAY COMEDY CLASH
HOSTED BY JAY MARTIN & JEAN PAUL
MAY 11, 2024 / 7:00PM
TEAM JAMAICA
JULIE MANGO
BLAKKA ELLIS
MARCIA BROWN
FEATURING:
TEAM TRINIDAD
JR LEE
MARC TRINIDAD
PATRICK RUSSELL
Generously sponsored by
April 1 to November 1
Help keep Brampton clean and green. Register for community or self-led cleanups at one of our many parks.
Parks cleanup, e-waste collection and BBQ
April 20 Gore Meadows Park
April 27 Duggan Park
May 4 Creditview Sandalwood Park
May 11 Earnscli e Park
May 25 Susan Fennell/Fletchers Green Park
High school students will be provided volunteer hours at community cleanups.
E-waste collection hosted in partnership with Let’s Get Together.
For a list of cleanup events and to register, visit brampton.ca/cleanup
W. GIFFORDJONES MD
DIANA GIFFORD-JONES
COMMON SENSE HEALTH
After 10 books, over 2,500 columns, and nearly 50 years of writing it, some things bear repeating. This week revisits a column from three decades ago about how to prepare for surgery. Has anything changed?
From that old column, “What would God do if he were a surgeon?” If it is true God helps those who help themselves, he would refuse to operate on many, telling us, “Respect your own God-given body and then I’ll do what I can.”
Next came a case. A 45-year-old woman underwent an operation for extensive vaginal repair. For this type of surgery,
her surgeon warned her repeatedly about the hazards of smoking and her persistent smoker’s hack. Ten days later she was rushed to hospital because of sudden post-operative hemorrhage. Incredibly, she was still smoking and coughing convulsively as she lay in a pool of blood in the emergency room. Speedy surgery stopped the bleeding.
Then another case; a 45- year-old diabetic weighing 275 pounds was admitted to the hospital due to an acute gallbladder attack. A skilled surgeon removed the organ, but a lifetime of bad habits began slowly to take its toll. The patient’s diabetes was hard to control and the incision in the pendulous abdomen became infected. Shortly after, the patient developed pneumonia, phlebitis, and blood clots in the lungs. Family members watched the complications multiply and the situation deteriorate. When the patient succumbed to overwhelming odds, the family demanded of the surgeon, “Why did this happen? Why couldn’t you have done something?”
It needs no repeating what that column reported next. Suffice to say, the sur-
geon answered truthfully that the patient’s: weight, smoking, and lack of exercise caused the death.
Let’s read on. No doctor turns away a patient who has an acute surgical problem, but patients can’t expect doctors to work miracles with surgery when they haven’t given a tinker’s damn about their bodies for years. I think God would agree it’s time to issue an ultimatum to everyone. God and surgeons shouldn’t attempt the impossible, and patients should be expected to help themselves by shaping up.
The article then gave advice on how pre-operative patients can prepare for an operation, physically and mentally. “Surgery, like tennis or football, demands psychological preparation. A good start is to get rid of needless worries. Tell the doctor if you are overcome by a fear of not surviving the surgery, if you’re concerned about post-operative pain, or confused about which organs will be removed, and if you’re apprehensive about the length of the incision, remember Abe Lincoln’s remark. He was once asked, ‘How long should a man’s leg be?’ He replied,
‘Just long enough to reach the ground.’ Incisions, like legs, are just long enough to do the job safely.”
The main thrust of preparation should be directed at good physical conditioning. Some of these tragedies could be prevented if patients tossed away cigarettes before an operation or made a genuine attempt to control and lose weight.
My advice is to be prepared for possible surgery all the time. This means having a lifelong respect for mind and body. It would give surgeons fewer gray hairs. Fewer families would be asking why post-operative complications occurred, and I’m sure God would be more willing to help those who help themselves.
There you have it. While surgical techniques may have improved greatly over 30 years, have patients heeded the age-old call to prepare for surgery? Doing so would give surgeons a much-needed break in tough cases, and starting early enough may even prevent the need for going under the knife in the first place.
trishas@carib101.com
SAKRED SYNERGI
It seems as if spirituality has become the new trend. Many people are looking outside of doctrine and dogma to explore eclectic avenues to the divine. The New Age movement is a broad term that encompasses a range of beliefs and practices in the area’s metaphysics, eastern religions and esotericism. Some will just identify as spiritual beings, while others will call themselves: Wiccan, Witches, Occultists or Sovereign entities. However, you choose to cut the cake, it all boils down to one thing; personal growth and practices that lead to: self-awareness, inner peace and oneness with nature and the All.
It’s an attractive avenue for many. Seeing all these cool crystals with interesting properties that you can use to better your life. Using incense, resins and smudges to clear negative energy from your space. Learning about different deities and how you can call on them for help through ritual practices. Taking spiritual baths with herbs to cleanse and pro-
The work you do within, this is the essence of true spirituality
tect your aura. Using your birth chart and numerology to make more aligned decisions and becoming more objective in life and reprogramming your mind from the illusions of this world. I can go on for days! All of the above are in fact real and useful practices that can further one’s evolution and growth.
Spirituality is a beautiful thing. It differs from religion in the sense that it is a journey of self-discovery and integration vs a journey of fear-based worship and following the rules of a book. Everything has its place though, and I am in no way putting down, or condemning any path one chooses to take.
What I have noticed though, is that many will begin this spiritual journey and quickly turn back to familiarity simply because their lives become chaotic and overwhelming.
This is because you have been lied to.
When one decides to partake in certain practices, they are sending out a signal to the universe that says, “I am ready to grow.” Your divine spirit family who has been waiting for you in the shadows, are finally welcomed into your life with your permission. Unfortunately, this welcoming can feel like a rude awakening for some.
The foundation of spirituality is healing. One cannot and I repeat, CANNOT enter into this path without the nec-
Do you know someone taking opioids prescribed by a doctor or bought illegally? Here’s what you need to know to help them if they overdose.
Know the signs
If someone you know is showing the following symptoms, they may be overdosing:
• Their lips and fingernails have a blue or grey tinge
• Their skin feels cold and clammy
• They have difficulty talking, walking or staying awake
• They don’t react when you make a noise or shout their name
• They struggle to breathe or stop breathing
• They remain unconscious even if you aggressively rub their sternum
Act fast
Immediately call 911 and follow the instructions given to you. Administer naloxone and perform chest compressions or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if necessary.
If the person regains consciousness, gently turn them on their side and wait for help to arrive. The effects of naloxone are limited, so you may need to administer a second dose. Remember that no matter what, the person must always be taken to the hospital.
Discover the benefits of a beauty routine for your well-being!
Are you a man whose personal grooming includes only combing your hair and the occasional sunscreen or skincare application? You should know that dermocosmetics can improve your appearance and overall well-being.
A skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated or cost an arm and a leg. You only need a few products to see visible results. You can find various solutions for your age and skin problems, like blackheads, wrinkles, redness and acne.
Not sure where to start? The best
thing you can do is talk to someone specializing in skincare. For example, you can speak to someone at the cosmetics counter of your local pharmacy or a beauty salon selling men’s skin care products.
After discussing your lifestyle, such as smoking or working outdoors, the professional will analyze your skin and suggest effective products to improve its appearance. You’ll no doubt become more confident as the weeks go by. You’ll probably wonder why you didn’t start caring for your skin sooner!
essary healing work needed to evolve. This means one has to have the willingness to look at themselves for who they truly are, to be held accountable for their actions and to no longer be a victim to their experiences and traumas of the past. This wakeup call can come in the form of being constantly triggered by others, unexpected arguments, job loss and even break ups. Many don’t realize, but this chaos is a doorway into new realizations, and hence a new reality based on new decisions that align with the person you are growing to be.
Picture a finished puzzle, now picture these puzzle pieces being thrown into the air. You now have the opportunity to arrange your puzzle in a different way that is more beneficial, even though putting the pieces back together may not be the easiest task; it is to your benefit.
This is a hard pill to swallow for
some, hence the bad name spirituality gets when people do not understand that in order for new to be ushered in, the old must first be destroyed, or dismantled. This includes external factors and old mental paradigms that no longer serve you.
We cannot fill our divine cups in a dirty vessel. We must not be afraid to go into the shadows of our minds, to admit our shortcomings and the hand we have played in our own suffering. Once we are willing to do the shadow work and clean our vessels, we make room for our higher selves to flourish within and in our external lives. All that was mentioned above, like incense and baths were add-ons, very useful catalysts, but not completely necessary. What’s necessary is the work you do within. This is the essence of true spirituality. The path to the divine is an easier journey when one is free from the burdens of the heart.
Home is where tenants feel safe and secure. New rules aim to make multi-tenant homes safer across Toronto.
MEGAN ROBERTS
megan@carib101.com DELICIOUS
In the vibrant heart of Toronto, the AfriCan Food Basket is revolutionizing food security for Black families and marginalized communities. Their latest initiative, the Black Food Access Program, shines as a beacon of hope. This program isn’t just a temporary fix; it’s a sustainable movement towards eradicating poverty, with a focus on: dignity, opportunity, inclusion, resilience, and security, aligning with Canada’s “Opportunity for All,” the first Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Each week, families across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) eagerly anticipate the arrival of boxes filled with fresh, nutritious produce. The boxes contain items like: kale, sweet potatoes, and plantains, chosen for their nutritional value and cultural importance, thus fostering a deep connection with the community’s heritage.
The Black Food Access Program tackles a distressing reality: over 38% of Black Canadians face food insecurity. The initiative aims to significantly reduce hunger, improve access to culturally appropriate foods, and enhance the health and wellness of: African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities.
The program operates on a simple yet profound principle: family’s register to receive food, ensuring assistance reaches those most in need. Designed for sustainability, it provides ongoing support to strengthen community resilience.
The sourcing strategy blends local farming with strategic partnerships with wholesalers, creating a sustainable model that bolsters local agriculture and guarantees steady access to a variety of healthy foods.
Community impact stories highlight the program’s significance, with families expressing how it has eased the difficult choices between food and other essentials. Volunteers play a crucial role, aiding in packing and distributing food weekly, while government funding forms the financial backbone of the initiative.
Looking to the future, the AfriCan Food Basket aspires to be a central food resource, similar to organizations like Second Harvest. They plan to launch
a social enterprise program to broaden their reach and impact, including potential collaborations with Toronto Community Housing to enhance access for more residents.
Moreover, the program aims to grow from supporting 50 families to over 300, significantly broadening food access throughout the city. Plans are also underway for educational workshops and cooking classes, designed to empower participants with the knowledge and skills to prepare healthy, culturally relevant meals.
In summary, the initiatives of the Afri-Can Food Basket, particularly the Black Food Access Program, embody a comprehensive approach to combating food insecurity and fostering health and wellness. By prioritizing cultural respect, nutritional health, and community empowerment, the organization is redefining the standards for addressing food insecurity in urban settings, envisioning a future where dignity, opportunity, and security are accessible to everyone. Through this holistic approach, the Afri-Can Food Basket is not only feeding bodies but also nourishing the spirit of community and resilience, making a profound difference in the lives of many.
Expanding upon the original framework, it’s clear that the Afri-Can Food Basket’s initiative is more than a food distribution program; it is a catalyst for societal change. Their efforts extend beyond mere sustenance, aiming to uplift entire communities through education, empowerment, and systemic change. The program’s focus on culturally relevant food also plays a crucial role in preserving and celebrating the unique cultural identities within Toronto’s diverse population.
As the program evolves, the AfriCan Food Basket continues to seek partnerships with local businesses and organizations, fostering a network of support that amplifies their impact. These collaborations not only enhance the program’s capacity, but also integrate it more deeply into the fabric of the community it serves.
Ultimately, the Afri-Can Food Basket’s Black Food Access Program stands as a testament to the power of community-driven solutions in addressing complex social issues. Its success lays a foundation for similar initiatives worldwide, providing a blueprint for how to nurture community health, well-being, and unity through the universal language of food.
a request from an influencer who would be visiting Manchester, the location of the restaurant, and asked if they would be interested in collaborating with them and being compensated with a post and a story on their page. Without revealing the influencer’s name, the owner of Lucky Ramen and Sushi reposted the request to their page and responded with the following:
A common perk of being an influencer is receiving freebies from companies and places of business. While it’s nice to receive free items, it can lead to some influencers developing a self-entitlement mindset and feeling as if everything they get should be free. Self-entitled influencers overlook that money is what business owners need to get by.
In early March, Lucky Ramen and Sushi, a restaurant in England, received
“Oh, what a surprise! Another thrilling DM from a blue tick superstar asking for a free feast in exchange for an Insta post. Because, you know, exposure pays the bills! We’re thrilled you appreciate our food, but we appreciate paying customers even more!”
The influencer did not appreciate the owner’s response and replied, explaining their intent to promote the restaurant for free and how they only
wanted a free meal in return to compensate for their work in promoting them. The owner responded sarcastically to the influencer afterwards.
While the majority were on the restaurant owner’s side as they feel that some influencers are self-entitled, others, who also happen to be influencers, didn’t necessarily defend the influencer, but felt as if the owner overreacted.
Yes, the owner responded in a way that one would classify as “savage.” However, I’d be lying if I said I would blame them for not wanting to accommodate a request for a free meal.
While this story might be a month old now, it still doesn’t change the fact that some people are entitled just because of what they do for a living. A restaurant is a place of business and a place of work, and just like any other place of
business/work, the establishment needs money to stay in business. People need to be able to: buy more ingredients for their dishes, receive drink deliveries, and other supplies needed. Business owners also have bills to pay, and a handful also a family to care for.
Exposure can be beneficial and help a business gain more attraction. However, money helps keep a business place operating and pays the bills. So, if a business owner chooses not to give away free meals, please respect their decision.
As I mentioned earlier, being an influencer has many perks. However, a career as an influencer is not 100% stable. So be humble instead of being entitled, because the same people you came into contact with on your way up are the same people you’ll meet again on your way back down.
Limiting the news we are exposed to has some significance for CanadiansBY ADRIAN REECE
Canada, having experienced a news blackout on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram due to the controversial Bill C18, was left in a state of information deprivation. This ban, which silenced the voices of Canadians and obscured their view of global events, underscored the importance of social media as a source of the latest and most accurate information. While traditional news outlets can be biased, or withhold crucial details, social media offers a real-time, unfiltered perspective from individuals worldwide.
Media outlets have social media pages and channels to report news, but sometimes, citizens break the news before any news outlet. For instance, dur-
something other than a significant news outlet. However, being careful is essential since only some people are candid about the information they post on social media. Nonetheless, the major news outlets also require cautious scrutiny.
Limiting the news we are exposed to has some significance for Canadians. Although the reasons for doing so can only be speculated upon, it is noteworthy that unbiased and unadulterated information is readily available through social media and the accounts of people worldwide. Consequently, relying solely on major news outlets is becoming increasingly unnecessary. This is because regular citizens, including doctors, nurses, and medical professionals, often provide contradictory information to what mainstream media is offering, as was seen during the Covid lockdowns.
The information presented by major news outlets and shared on social
media by medical professionals has made it challenging to trust the actual truth of COVID-19. The difference between the importance of free press on social channels and speech control has become apparent. Despite this, many of us still rely on a combination of information from reliable sources and news outlets, but with a degree of skepticism.
This turnaround of the bill gives Canadians hope for a free media in which the truth can be shared with citizens while maintaining journalistic integrity. Canada needs to be as open and transparent with its citizens as possible, or distrust will build between the government and the people it is supposed to look after. In the current economy, being informed is not a privilege, but a right and a necessity that can be the difference between homelessness and having a roof and shelter.
As television isn’t as popular
among the new generation outside of streaming services, news on social channels is the first point of contact for many young adults today. Combined with the hustle and bustle of the current Canadian lifestyle, it is much easier to review news articles and content via social media on your phone than to tune into a specific channel early in the morning to see what is happening in the country. So, while media is still prevalent on television, every company is aware that they need to adapt to where the eyes are, which is on every citizen’s screen with a smartphone and data.
There is hope for the future of Canadian news and the right to be informed. With this potential change we can take small comforts in being able to review and respond to information as soon as it is presented and act proactively instead of reactively to the needs and desires that pop up in our country.
To import something when that same thing could be created here, is a destructive anti-social thing
2023, Canada’s two goods and service trade index went well above the 1.9 billion dollar mark. Much of the revenue returned to manufacturers in Asia and elsewhere. The cost and profit on the shirt you bought for $25.00 was split between manufacturers in China, who shipped the shirt to Canada’s Ports for $3.75, then the importer and retailer split the difference along with some other participants.
Years ago, the owner of Urban Behavior Retail showed me a shirt selling for $55.00 Canadian in his stores. At that time these landed in Vancouver for $3.99 each. There were at 50% cost applied to the small amount for: transportation, distribution, merchandising and retail needs. The rest was profit.
our: labor, material, and transportation rates being higher.
Imagine if you buy a Canadian made shirt instead, or buy Canadian cheese instead of those from France? What will you accomplish?
• End our reliance upon imported products.
• Help create employment for your community and national neighbours.
• Since items don’t need to be shipped halfway across the world, your costs and carbon footprint would be much lower.
Nations that we normally import from would have to develop their own national economy offering their own products to their population. Chinese, or Indian workers could enjoy the very product they make, instead of having all good items exported. The very nature of Henry Ford’s genius was found in his firm offering their products to their locality and their workers, helping to create a middle class, and bring the working class along with it.
ing, electronics, scooters, car parts were all made in Canada/North America? In
So, $55.00 - $6.00=$49.00, and this allows the retailer to promote sales with discounts of up to say 50%. The retailer still makes $24.50. Since most people are looking for a quality product priced well, importers have enjoyed a massive profit whirlwind for many decades. Canadian and North American manufacturers lose these sales, because their products are priced higher, due to
• A national pride could arise, in buying, consuming and using products and services made here.
• A movement of local economies and markets can and will develop.
• Customer satisfaction in North American products will certainly be on the upswing. A question, or demand regarding a product made here would not be answered by someone far away, but locally.
To import something when that same thing could be created here, is a destructive anti-social thing. It is like saying to those who cannot find a full-time job, or who are concerned about our environment “To buzz off, you’re unimportant, insignificant.”
The time has come where the purveyors of anti-social and wasteful capitalism need to be recognized, isolated and taxed for their selfish profiteering. Our world’s natural resources are limited, while these corporations and individuals’ greed and selfishness seem unlimited.
"It run inna di family."
Growing up in an African-Caribbean family, I have learned to carry more than just my own burdens. Our families are resilient, yes, but they're also deeply scarred by the trauma that has been passed down through generations. Trauma, whether it be from: colonialism, slavery, or the challenges of migration, has woven its way into the fabric of our family systems. It's like a silent intruder, disrupting our bonds, fracturing our relationships, and perpetuating negative patterns.
I really wanted to work through this series about transgenerational trauma, because I have seen the effects it has on my life, and the effect that it has had on the lives of people I know. We are out here struggling mentally, trying to figure out why certain dynamics are the way that they are, not realizing that it is something that is hidden just below our subconscious. Many of us are passing our traumas down to our children unconsciously, and this is what I want to bring to the surface of your consciousness.
This week, we are going to be
delving into how family system dynamics and trauma disrupts family systems, creating dysfunction and perpetuating negative patterns. We only have two more aspects of transgenerational trauma to consider:
Implicit memory and sensitization
Traumatic experiences become part of an individual's implicit memory, influencing emotional responses and reactions.
Cultural and environmental factors
Cultural and environmental influences play a role in how trauma is processed and transmitted.
I believe when we complete these topics, readers will have a better innerstanding of not only themselves, but how they present to their families, their communities, and to the world.
In our culture, we are taught to be strong, to endure, but sometimes that strength becomes a burden too heavy to bear. Holiday family gatherings are meant to be times when beautiful memories are created; when you sit back with loved ones and reminisce, catch up, and share stories. Instead, some of our family gatherings can feel like battlegrounds, where the past hurts resurface, and communication breaks down. We love each other fiercely, but sometimes that love gets lost in the chaos of our unresolved trauma, but it doesn't have to be this way. We can break the cycle of dysfunction.
Sleep is an essential component of your physical and mental health, but for many people it can be hard to fall or stay asleep. Often, the problem lies in your evening habits, which can have a significant impact on the quality of your sleep. Here are some tips to help you establish a healthy bedtime routine.
• Pick a time. You should be getting at least seven hours of sleep every night, so allot that time into your daily schedule. Once you settle on a time to wake up and go to bed, stick to it, even on weekends and vacations.
• Dim the lights. Limit your exposure to bright light in the evening, as it can suppress your body’s production of melatonin. You should also put away all electronic devices at least 30 minutes before you turn in for the night.
• Calm your mind. Engage in relaxing activities for at least 30 minutes before bed to help you wind down. Reading, meditating, stretching and listening to soothing music can put you in the right frame of mind for sleep.
• Don’t toss and turn. If you haven’t fallen asleep after 20 minutes, get up so you don’t associate the frustration of sleeplessness with being in bed. Do something relaxing in low light to get your mind off sleep, then return to bed when you feel drowsy.
In addition to a consistent bedtime routine, a comfortable environment is crucial to a rest¬ful night. Quality bedding, a high-performance mattress and pillow, blackout curtains and a white noise machine can all contribute to better sleep.
We can heal our family systems and create a legacy of resilience and strength for future generations. This week, I am going to share some ways to recognize dysfunctional family system dynamics stemming from transgenerational trauma in African-Caribbean families:
Communication patterns: Look for communication patterns characterized by avoidance, aggression, or difficulty expressing emotions. Transgenerational trauma inhibits open and healthy communication within the family.
Interpersonal conflict: Dysfunctional family dynamics may be evident in frequent conflicts, or strained relationships among family members. Sometimes these conflicts are rooted in unresolved issues related to historical trauma.
Emotional dysregulation: Notice patterns of emotional dysregulation in yourself, or in close family members such as: intense mood swings, difficulty managing emotions, or emotional numbness. These behaviors usually are coping mechanisms for dealing with unresolved trauma.
Parenting styles: I want readers to spend time reading this part; transgenerational trauma influences parenting styles, and usually leads to either overprotective, or emo-
tionally distant parenting behaviors. These patterns may perpetuate the cycle of trauma within the family.
Attachment issues: Pay attention to signs of insecure attachment styles within the family, such as: difficulties forming close relationships, fear of abandonment, or excessive dependence on others for validation.
Repetition of traumatic patterns: Notice if there is a repetition of traumatic patterns or behaviors across multiple generations within the family. It can be as simple as a mother experiencing sexual assault when she was younger, and noticing it with her own daughter and either ignoring it, blaming the young lady for calling it on herself. It is unintentionally done, but this catalyzes the trauma.
Recognizing these signs can be the first step in addressing transgenerational trauma and promoting healing within African-Caribbean families. It starts with acknowledging the pain, with being brave enough to confront the demons of our past. It's about seeking help when we need it and breaking free from the chains of silence and shame.
Our journey won't be easy, but it'll be worth it. Together, we can rewrite the narrative of our family's story. We can turn our pain into power and our wounds into wisdom, because in the end, our resilience is our greatest strength.
After a bad night’s sleep or a stressful day, it doesn’t take much for parents to lose their temper. While yelling can feel good in the moment, you’ll likely feel guilty afterward if you raise your voice in front of your kids. Here are a few tips to help you keep your composure.
Reassess your responsibilities
Do you often feel overwhelmed by your hectic schedule? If you’re getting pulled in a million different directions, it’s normal to lose your cool. Parents often feel like they have to put other people’s needs before their own, but this can leave them overworked and make them quick to have an outburst. Consider whether you can redistribute chores at home or cut back on the tasks that demand your attention. Additionally, be sure to make time to recharge each week with activities you enjoy.
Be consistent with discipline
Laying out clear rules about how your kids are expected to behave can reduce the likeli-
hood of losing your temper. Additionally, consistent punishments will ensure your children know the con¬se¬quences for breaking the rules. It’s also important that both parents be on the same page about the rules in order for them to be effective.
Learn to reign in your reactions
In the heat of the moment, shouting can feel like an automatic response. However, there are several things you can do to dissipate your anger before it boils over:
• Verbalize your emotions by saying “I’m very upset and I want to scream”
• Take several deep breaths and count to 10 slowly in your head
• Go to another room or step outside for a few minutes to calm down
Finally, don’t hesitate to use babysitting services, parent helplines and other resources that can give you the support and advice you need to foster a more positive home life for you and your kids.
SEAN
SEURATTAN
sean@carib101.com
THE HEIGHTENED CHEF
problem for anyone who is non-White. The Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation along with the University of Toronto recently conducted a study on the “Diversity of Canada’s Legal Cannabis Industry; Examining
Race and Gender of its Executives and Directors.” It took into account 700 Executives and Directors from 222 organizations (166 Licensed Producers and 56 parent companies). The study found that overall, 16% of all cannabis industry leaders were non-White with only 1% Black. In regard to gender, 14% were female with only 2% of that being non-White. BIPOC and women are vastly underrepresented in the leadership of Canada’s legal cannabis industry when compared to their representation in the general population. Conversely, white men are far overrepresented, similar to almost every other industry on
BIPOC people are beginning to routinely have their agency within this space removed. Through appropriation and tokenism, we are seeing ourselves be reduced to irrelevant figure heads, menial labour and checkmarks for inclusivity. Instead of making decisions about cannabis in boardrooms, laboratories and bank offices, we are confined to factories, kitchens and DJ booths. Using our cultures to make someone else money has begun to look all to normal and this must end immediately.
This matters because we are beginning to see the seeds of racism and discrimination starting to take root within the can-
nabis community. For nearly a century, we have experienced marginalized groups paying the price for a failed war on drugs while cannabis was illegal. We are now witnessing those same people and their products being pushed aside so that those who happen to be better financially endowed feel entitled to direct the course of the industry.
Within the last few weeks, we have seen police forces, who most likely were lobbied by white owned large corporate factions losing money to unlicensed entities, performing raids on several indigenous dispensaries, on indigenous land attempting to infringe upon their historical traditional practices.
Recently I attended an event celebrating Black people in Cannabis. While I had a fabulous time, during some introductions I was stunned and appalled to find out that after speaking with two wonderful Black ladies, I had just met a little less than half of all Black people in Ontario sitting in Executive positions at cannabis companies. Externally, I was proud to see them succeed but internally, I was furious to realize how many others were denied this chance simply due to their looks, or background.
Even more recently, I was informed about a horrifying incident that occurred at a
relatively new cannabis convention in Toronto. A woman of Palestinian descent had purchased a showcase booth to promote her licensed product, an edible from her culture. As part of her display, she had a Palestinian flag to demonstrate pride for her country, heritage and history of her product.
Partway through the show, organizers confronted her publicly to demand that she remove the flag from her display. They claimed that it was offensive to some “anonymous” group and was ruining the event. Despite several threats to forcibly remove the flag and her entire booth, she stood her ground for the remainder of the show. While forced to endure this terrible ordeal, she was still able to benefit the entire community by exposing blatant discrimination and unifying all those against it.
Referring back to the helix shaped life cycle of this industry, its current undesirable and unsustainable iteration will soon die in a ball of flames like a Phoenix. However, we can ensure that what rises from those ashes supports a vibrant kaleidoscope instead of a monotone monopoly. Whether we have an interest in cannabis or not, we all have a responsibility to be loudly active against racism and discrimination in our beloved country.
Real estate market
When exploring the real estate market, it’s essential to understand the difference between “waterfront” and “water access” properties. These two terms are often used interchangeably. However, they have distinct meanings. Here’s the difference between the two terms.
A “waterfront” property is located on the water’s edge. For example, it could be along a river, lake or stream. While these homes offer beautiful views of the water, they may not necessarily have access to it.
Water access
The term “water access” typically means that the property is close to the water. This could mean having access to a shared beach, dock or boat launch. While these properties may not have a panoramic view of the water, they still offer the opportunity to enjoy a nearby lake or river.
As a potential homeowner, it’s important to consider what’s most important to you. A real estate agent can help you make a choice that fits your budget and preferences.
Are you thinking about moving into a bigger place? If you’re on the fence about renting or buying a home, remember it’s a big decision that can be influenced by many financial and personal factors. To avoid unpleasant surprises, carefully consider these factors and consult a real estate agent.
Renting offers flexibility
Renting a property instead of buying one provides you with more financial flexibility. You can also move easily and quickly if your needs change. If you want to rent, a real estate agent can help you find a property that matches your preferences and budget. They can also help you negotiate leases and guide you through the rental process, making it as stress-free as possible.
Buying offers long-term stability
Although renting a property has advantages, buying one can be a wise long-term investment for many people. If you’re considering purchasing a property, a real estate agent can guide you through the transaction process and help you get the best possible deal.
Use a real estate agent
If you’re torn between renting a property for its flexibility or buying one for its long-term benefits, a real estate agent can help you make the right decision. They have the expertise and knowledge to provide personalized advice and recommendations. The final decision is yours, but having a real estate agent by your side can be invaluable for making an informed decision.
Can attractive landscaping increase the value of your home?
Investing in well-designed landscaping can significantly increase the value of your home. However, like with any home improvement project, you must consider the positives and negatives.
Lovely landscaping can create an excellent first impression and attract potential buyers. A home with a well-maintained and visually attractive outdoor space can be a decisive factor for some buyers.
Well-thought-out landscaping can be seen as an additional asset for many home buyers, providing functional and attractive areas for outdoor living. This can be a significant advantage, especially in areas where the climate allows for prolonged use.
It’s crucial to consider the initial cost of landscaping against the potential rate of return. While extravagant landscaping projects may not be the best investment, modest improvements can be very profitable.
It’s also essential to consider ongoing maintenance. If potential buyers perceive maintaining the landscaping as an extra responsibility, it could reduce the property’s value.
While the look of your yard is important, it’s not the only decisive factor for buyers. A simple but well-maintained yard can sometimes be more profitable than a large-scale development. For personalized advice, talk to a local real estate agent.
brijpaul@carib101.com
Electricity is essential, but unlike water or gas, you can’t see or smell it, making it risky when people attempt electrical installations without professional help. In some cases, contractors hired for home renovations may need to have more expertise in electrical work, creating potential dangers that go unnoticed. In Ontario, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) oversees electrical safety, ensuring that installations are up to code. Homeowners must prioritize electrical safety by engaging certified electricians and requesting ESA inspections, preventing hidden risks that could lead to severe issues like electrical fires and deaths.
If you’re getting any electrical work done in your home, filing a request with the ESA and having an ESA inspector review the work is essential. Once everything is good and approved, the ESA will give you a certificate saying everything is safe. This certificate is vital for insurance and peace of mind. If you’re buying a house, ask if the sellers have an ESA inspection, and before the sale is final, ask the lawyer to request the ESA records for the home. If there are no records, once you’re the owner, do an electrical safety check as soon as possible.
Currently, LED pot lights are trendy, and many homeowners install them themselves or use unlicensed contractors to save on cost. The ESA has found many defects with these jobs, which can be dangerous – like getting severe shocks or electrical fires. Doing electrical work without an ESA permit or a licensed contractor can result in your insurance company denying your claim if something happens. An excellent way to know if a contractor is licensed is by checking if they have an ESA number on their business cards or website.
Homes built between the mid1960s and 1970s may have aluminum wiring, and some insurers may need to provide coverage for homes with aluminum wiring.
Aluminum wiring is safe when installed correctly. However, when connected to copper, it can oxidize and break, creating a fire hazard. Since most electrical outlets and switches have copper, connections can pose a problem in the future.
With the earth’s temperature rising, we can experience more flash floods, and if the water level in the basement rises above an electrical outlet, then stepping into the water can result in electrocution. Avoid having drop cords plugged into an electrical socket and run across the floor because it can become a deadly weapon in a flood. If, in the event of a flood, the water level is above the sockets, then please do not step in the water. Inform the utility company immediately so they can turn off the electricity from the home.
It’s better to be safe than sorry. Now is a great time to discard worn-out extension cords. Extension cords used in-
side a home should only be a temporary fix, and it’s best to hire an electrician to install more receptacles. If you use extension cords, keep them away from heat, oil, water, and children. Avoid using extension cords to connect to an appliance near water sources such as sinks, toilets, and showers. If the cord has three prongs, do not break off the ground prong to fit into the electrical socket, and avoid plugging many appliances into a single receptacle because this can cause overheating.
Surging or flickering lights in a home are a sign of a loose connection, and
that’s a fire hazard. If a circuit breaker keeps tripping or a fuse blows often, this would indicate that the circuit is pulling too much current. You can disconnect some of the electrical items from that circuit, and if the problem continues, get a licensed electrician to correct the problem.
Could you imagine living without electricity? We are fortunate to enjoy the benefits of reliable electricity, but we must be careful because it can harm us. If you have never had an electrical safety inspection done, prioritize this. For a few hundred dollars, you can buy peace of mind.
Do you want to live in a spotless home but don’t want to clean using harsh chemicals? While you can undoubtedly use tried-and-tested alternatives, such as homemade recipes using baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice, why not just purchase a steam cleaner?
This vacuum-like appliance diffuses hot steam to deeply clean various surfaces and destroy bacteria, dust mites, germs and allergens. You can even use it to clean your mattress and upholstered furniture, remove limescale in the bathroom, smooth out wrinkles in your clothes and wash your windows.
However, it’s important to note that you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure that your furniture, surfaces, and textiles can withstand high-temperature steam before using them.
In 2024, infuse your home with the spirit of the French Riviera!
The French Riviera interior design trend has been gaining popularity in recent years. This style combines a variety of influences, such as bohemian, Mediterranean, retro and art deco, to create an elegant yet unpretentious look. Are you planning to revamp the decor in one of the rooms of your home? If so, here’s an overview of the essential elements of this sunlit style you should consider.
• Materials. French Riviera decor is a perfect blend of sophistication and simplicity. It incorporates elements such as rattan, wicker, marble, brass, raw pale wood, wrought iron, plaster, ceramic and stone, each chosen carefully to enhance the overall design with texture and depth. The preferred textiles used in this style are linen and cotton.
• Accessories. Key aspects of this style include macrame such as plant hangers, wall-mounted plates, works that evoke the sea like photos and canvases, colourful dishware, hand-painted ceramics, reproductions of works by famous artists inspired by the Côte d’Azur like Matisse, and fringed decorations.
• Colours. White is undoubtedly the star colour of the French Riviera trend. Stripes are also a must in this style, with the Mediterranean blue and white combo being a classic choice.
Earthy colours such as terracotta and bright shades like lemon-yellow and orange represent this trend.
Lastly, this style utilizes columns, alcoves and niches to their fullest potential. The latter is perfect for showcasing handcrafted objects or plants, including living greenery and dried flowers.
If you’re looking for a style to make you feel like you’re on holiday all year round, visit your local home decor stores to bring the French Riviera trend into your home!
Many people think refreshing a staircase is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! Check out this list of affordable solutions to make your worn or outdated staircase look great again.
Covering damaged steps with attractive, textured carpeting is an effective way of giving them a new lease on life. This not only improves the look of your staircase, but also makes it more comfortable on your feet. Make sure the carpet is firmly glued to each step for your safety. For impeccable results, hire a professional.
Are the treads still in good condition, but your staircase is missing something to make it stand out? Replacing your baluster and banister is a smart and affordable way to stay on trend. Metal posts, glass panels and wooden spindles are all great options. Visit your local home improvement store for
Repainting your staircase isn’t rocket science and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg! Not sure which colours to choose? Ask a decorating expert for advice on selecting shades that blend in with your decor or create a striking contrast.
For example, you can opt for a monochrome staircase or choose a different colour for the risers. You could even paint a trompe-l’œil into your staircase for that WOW factor. Since the stairs are a heavy-traffic area, use wear-resistant paint.
Finally, pasting flashy, printed wallpaper on the risers is a simple and inexpensive way of transforming a boring staircase into a work of art. Check out all the possibilities by visiting your local decorating stores.
for the week of April 7 to April 13, 2024
ARIES: Your boundless energy will drive you to solve a multitude of problems. You’ll be delighted to find that the worries that used to cause you stress are now a thing of the past. Your future is now brighter.
TAURUS: A minor health problem could draw attention. If you treat the situation seriously, you’ll get the care you need to recover quickly. Sometimes, all you must do is smile at life and it will smile back.
GEMINI: Expect to have lots of people around you this week. Your friends will suggest a variety of exciting activities, but some could upset you. Use your best judgment to choose the ones that interest you most.
CANCER: Responsibilities at work and home keep piling up. You must prioritize certain tasks and stop procrastinating to get things done. This will give you a sense of accomplishment.
LEO: You’ll discover a new form of spirituality beneficial to your mental and physical well-being. It could be a question of learning or sharing knowledge. This brilliant development will help you rediscover your zest for life.
VIRGO: Avoid repressing the emotions that are overwhelming you. Your family and friends will be there to support you in a difficult situation. Things will gradually become clearer, showing you the way to the solution to all your worries.
LIBRA: Relationships are simpler when you’re not emotionally involved. You could encounter tension with those closest to you. However, you and your friends and colleagues will understand each other perfectly. Take a step back if necessary.
SCORPIO: Important details will need your attention. A promotion could be on the horizon. However, you’ll need to negotiate your position with authority and define your responsibilities. People will be generous with you.
SAGITTARIUS: If you’re single, love could be knocking at the door. Perhaps in the form of a close friend declaring their feelings for you. An unexpected sum of money could come your way. At the very least, you could be offered some form of compensation.
CAPRICORN: Your plans to move will come to fruition. Despite your busy schedule, you’ll put your family first. Your devotion to those close to you will be obvious. One of your social media posts could garner a lot of attention.
AQUARIUS: You could be tempted to buy a new car. However, you must be sensible to avoid financial stress. Take a few days to think it over, and your desire for unnecessary luxury could fade.
PISCES: Affection will be paramount this week. Devote some time to constructive conversations to resolve tensions in your relationship and promote harmony and tenderness. Following a gut feeling could solve your emotional and financial problems.
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.
Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column, or 3x3 box.
FOR SALE: Hutch and buffet for sale $200. Call 647-200-2116
SALE: Snow tire on rims for small SUV in Good ConditionP205-75-15 905-454-3085.
FOR SALE: Single medical electric bed control by converter 2 sided bars for sale. Please call Lyn at 416-662-3366
WINTER TIRES FOR SALE: 4 winter tires on rims fit a Chevy Equnox ( 235.55.R17 ) $500 or best offer call 416-875-5177
FILM FESTIVAL: Submit your film to the Ann Arbor Black Film Festival TODAY! Give your film a chance to be a part of Ann Arbor’s 200th celebration. Go to a2bff.org
WANTED COOK : Someone to cook once a week at their home large order of Roti, curry chicken and curry potatoes. Cost to be discussed. Email postiexyz@yahoo.ca
CARETAKER: For Weekend Sat and Sun, Must have experience with elderly and canadian reference. Bathurst and Steeles 10:30am to 8:30pm. Call 437-818-5208
Laparkan is looking for a Warehouse Associate in Shipping and Receiving.
No experience necessary. Will train on the Job.
Send Resume to hrca@laparkan.com or call 416-292-4370
Call
SERVICE: Fountain of Truth Ministries Pastor: Reverend Maxine Campbell Worship Address: 2170 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke Percy Johnson School – Cafeteria Sundays: 10.am – 2. pm Teaching, Worship, Ministering For info call: 416 748 0211
MISSISSAUGA: Mississauga Missionary Baptist Church invites you to join us at 1620 Dundas St West, each Sunday at 10am for praise, worship and in-depth Bible teaching with Pastor Sean, 416-219-9137
We are in the process of expansion and constantly looking for the best of the best! Dedicated salespeople; people interested in opportunities to help others while also being able to help themselves. For more information, please contact Trish 647-722-6298 or trish@carib101.com
First-time applicants, recent graduates entering the workforce, and people changing careers often face the same dilemma: they don’t get hired because they lack experience, and they can’t acquire experience because no one will hire them. While frustrating, there are ways to avoid this paradox and gain useful, relevant experience to land that new job.
1. Co-op programs. Many programs offer students the opportunity to alternate between work and study terms. Work is related to your field of study and consists of several paid or unpaid internships. These allow you to acquire experience and to develop contacts in your field.
2. Student jobs. While at school, try to get a job that develops pertinent skills that will be useful when pursuing your future career. For example, if you plan on working with children, choose a job as a camp counsellor instead of delivering pizzas.
3. Internships. Work internships are practical for both students and people looking to change careers. They allow you to put your skills and knowledge into practice, acquire experience and connect with individuals and businesses in your field.
4. Volunteering. Volunteering your time at a company in your field or sector is a great way to acquire experience and expand your
network of connections.
5. Temporary employment. Working at firms who hire additional staff during peak periods is another excellent way to gain experience.
Lastly, don’t overlook the many opportunities found on the hidden job market. A significant amount of openings are filled without ever being posted or advertised. That’s why it’s important to turn to your network of friends, family members and even old classmates when looking for employment. Oftentimes, you’ll discover that landing that first job comes down to who you know and not what you know.
Being on time and confident aren’t the only keys to a successful job interview. Good planning and preparation are essential when attempting to make a good impression on potential employers. Here are a few things you should think about before your interview:
• Choose your attire in advance. Always dress according to the position you’re interviewing for when picking out your clothes.
• Know the route and the amount of time you’ll need to get to the interview. Give yourself plenty of time in case you encounter any unforeseen events, such as construction or traffic.
• Prepare any documents you’ll need befo-
rehand. These might include your cover letter, CV, a list of references and copies of your diplomas or degrees. Place them all in a folder to avoid appearing disorganized.
• Research the company as much as possible before your interview. Learn about the products or services they provide, their target market, company objectives and mission statements, and new projects. Websites, annual reports, specialized journals and press releases are great places to look when searching for information.
• Reread the job listing and identify the key criteria relating to the position, such as the desired skills and qualifications, required training, duties and responsibilities.
• Analyze and memorize your CV. Determine and highlight any relevant experience, skills and assets, and education or training you’ll be bringing to the position. Try to identify any professional weaknesses you may have as well as how you overcame them or minimized their impact.
Finally, prepare some frequently asked questions and ask a friend or family member to interview you. You’ll be able to practise giving clear and concise answers, maintaining eye contact and using the appropriate language and terminology. Whatever you do, don’t memorize your answers: being yourself is crucial for a successful job interview. Good luck!
Much like your CV and cover letter, a well-constructed professional portfolio is instrumental in setting you apart from the competition. This collection of documents illustrates and showcases your professional accomplishments and talents. It provides potential employers with concrete examples demonstrating the skills and experience you’ve acquired, and serves to show that you’re the perfect fit for the position.
When putting your portfolio together, you’ll need to make a list of all your various professional accomplishments, such as internships, education, previous jobs or community work. Once done, you’ll need to select the documents most relevant to the position you’re targeting. The best way to do this is to refer to the list of skills and qualifications sought after by the
company or employer. You’ll then need to decide which documents — texts, degrees, reports, letters of recommendations, certificates, awards, courses, etc. — best represent your skills. Once you’ve collected and organized all the relevant material, you’ll have the option of creating a paper portfolio (traditionally placed in a three-ring binder) or an online portfolio. And while portfolios vary from person to person, they all contain the same major components, such as:
• A cover page containing the date, your name and contact information
• A table of contents
• A statement regarding your career objectives
• A copy of your resumé
• Letters of recommendation
• A description of your skills relating to the position and an account of how you developed them during your professional career
• Work samples that provide concrete examples and evidence of your skills and accomplishments
Regardless of the format you choose, your portfolio must be professional, well structured and easy to navigate. It’s also important to tailor and personalize your portfolio to each and every interview. Certain positions might call for different skill sets or experiences, so you’ll want your portfolio to showcase the accomplishments that make you the best candidate for the job.
Preparing for your future career can start sooner than you think. If you’re a student looking for a part-time or summer job, consider choosing a type of employment that matches your future goals and aspirations. By doing so, you’ll get a head start on developing useful skills and experience that will be invaluable further down the road.
It’s important to remember that almost all jobs provide worthwhile experience. Regardless of the type of work you’re doing, you’ll most likely develop your interpersonal, problem-solving and organizational skills. So, even if your work has no relation to your studies, you’ll still be gaining
valuable experience.
If you already have a career path in mind, find out what skills you’ll need to develop before looking for a job. If you’re gifted at a particular subject in school and your future profession requires effective communication, try your hand at tutoring: it’s the perfect opportunity to learn how to clearly explain your ideas. You can always meet with a school counsellor if you’re having trouble identifying which jobs best satisfy your ambitions.
Don’t forget that most people usually start a new job at the bottom and work their way up. For example, if you want to be a cook, try and find a job as an assis-
tant cook. This will provide you with relevant work experience. What’s more, you’ll be demonstrating a serious interest in the profession as well as developing contacts within the industry. However, don’t make the mistake of taking a position you hate simply because it relates to your field of study: enjoying what you do is an important aspect of any job.
Lastly, be mindful that your work shouldn’t interfere with your studies. Make sure your schedule allows you the necessary time to do your homework and to prepare for exams.
Bringing an electric vehicle (EV) home is exciting, but ensuring convenient and efficient charging requires the right home station. Here are seven factors to consider for the perfect fit:
1. Charging speed. Consider your daily driving habits. A Level 2 charger (240V) offers faster charging speeds than a standard Level 1 charger. Therefore, it might be overkill if you only drive for short commutes. However, you may require a Level 2 charger if you regularly drive long distances.
2. Car compatibility. Different EVs use different connectors. Ensure the station’s connector matches your car’s charging inlet for a seamless experience. Consult your car’s user manual for confirmation.
3. Upgradability. Consider future-proofing your investment. Choose a station with adjustable charging power so you can upgrade your home’s electrical capacity later to accommodate faster-charging EVs.
4. Smart features. Many stations offer Wi-
Fi connectivity, enabling remote monitoring and scheduled charging to optimize energy usage.
5. Installation. Decide where to park and charge your car, ensuring the cable is long enough to reach the charging port. Consider weatherproof options for outdoor installations.
6. Safety and reliability. Look for chargers with certifications from reputable organizations, such as cUL or ETL. Choose weather-resistant units with built-in safety features like surge protection and grounding faults.
7. Rebates and incentives. Check with your local utility company, government agency or car manufacturer for potential rebates or incentives to significantly reduce the cost of purchasing and installing your home EV charging station.
Choosing the right home EV charging station is an investment in convenience, efficiency and the future of sustainable transportation.
When it comes to vehicle safety, certain features stand out as crucial safeguards for drivers and passengers alike. These include airbags, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and stability control systems. Understanding how these three components work can improve your awareness of vehicle safety.
1. Airbags deploy rapidly upon impact, providing a cushioning effect and reducing the risk of severe injuries. Modern vehicles have multiple airbags strategically placed throughout the cabin, including front, side and curtain airbags. Your car’s airbags must not be tampered with to ensure they’re effective in an emergency.
2. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) help prevent your car’s wheels from locking up during hard braking. This helps you
maintain steering control and reduce your stopping distance on slippery surfaces. By automatically modulating brake pressure, ABS enhances overall vehicle stability and reduce the risk of skidding or losing control in emergency braking situations.
3. Stability control systems, also known as electronic stability control (ESC) or vehicle stability control (VSC) systems, continuously monitor your vehicle and intervene to prevent loss of traction or skidding. By selectively applying brakes and adjusting engine power, these systems help you maintain control during sudden manoeuvres or on adverse road conditions, such as ice and gravel.
Visit your local repair shop to ensure your car’s safety features are in good condition and ready to protect you.
