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Volume 11 • Issue 7

Wednesday, May 11 2022

“Shortages may depend on where you buy your groceries as there are regional differences in supply.”

FULL STORY - PAGE 8

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FEATURE

NADINE SUTHERLAND

Her voice is recognized as one of the best in reggae music. Her stage performances and ability to capture emotions with words have left audiences swooning. She has a wide range of fans waiting to see what is next.

There are few artistes whose career intrigues different generations, and our Woman Empowered is one who continues to span the generations. She is an artist, a legend whose talents are respected and admired by people all over the world.

During her time in the industry, she has not only shown her work as a musical genius, she has also created her own business enterprise, Nadsipadsi Enterprises, to coordinate her many interests and projects, as well as being the spokesperson for Supligen Soy, a Nestle-owned nutritional replacement popular in the Caribbean.

At the Canadian Reggae Music Awards in 2008, her album was nominated in the ‘Top Reggae CD/Album (International) category, while a single from the album, “Big Tingz”, was nominated as ‘Best Reggae Single (International). She has appeared as a judge on the TV show Digicel Rising Stars, written for the Jamaica Observer, and been a committee member for the charity Sisters to Sisters.

In today’s overtly sexual and demanding music industry, Nadine Sutherland has found a way to move through it with grace, style and sophistication. She is a woman, a diva who constantly reinvents herself, and here I was on a Sunday rising, vibing, with her on the phone.

“Nadine,” I said enthusiastically, “You have no idea what this interview means to me. I will never forget when I first heard and saw the video for ‘Action.’ That song still has so much heat over 20 years later. I am excited to hear your story; let’s start from the beginning…”

“No problem Simone,” she said light-heartedly, “I have been looking forward to this interview as well. I was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but grew up in rural Jamaica. I loved the bush, the river, and the mountains.

It is very grounding. I really appreciate nature, for me, I am connected to nature.

I was born with this love for music,” She continues. “I never chose music, music chose me. I used to get in trouble, because when my grandma couldn’t find me, it was because I was off singing and dancing in front of the jukebox.”

Nadine would sing in the community, and soon, she became known as the little girl who could sing and dance.

She entered singing competitions but got a big break when she won the quarterfinals at the Tastee Talent Contest. “I ac-

tually beat Paul Blake and Yellowman singing the hit song Buckingham Palace.” She stopped to laugh. “The song was about weed, but I was so young, I didn’t know it was about weed. Not too long after that, I got a recording contract for Tuff Gong. It was something that Bob Marley’s organization was doing for young artists. I had the opportunity to work with Bob. My first song was called ‘Starvation on the Land.’

Her fame started to grow early, but she tells me that she was too young to process it.

“Singing was just so natural to me. I was a naturally gifted kid. It was a lot of pressure at the time, I didn’t realize it then, but I do now. People knew me, knew who I was.

I didn’t understand the magnitude of my fame. It keeps me humble. Even now, when I perform, I am dancing and singing, and it is a natural extension of myself. People meet me off stage and they are like, ‘you are different.”

Nadine starts to reminisce about times past; she allows me to join her in the nostalgia.

“We used to slew dance back in the day. All my friends were dancers. I was president of the Anderson House. It grounded me for what was to come later on. The nature of the universe is beyond your understanding.

There was another level of fame that was coming into my life. My high school (St. Andrew High School for Girls) helped me with that. The finesse grooming helped me.

I started dancing more in high school, and I actually took up ballet and modern dance. I also started doing background vocals, but my great experience was with Peter Tosh. People have him off as this warrior king, which he was, but he was also a considerate, compassionate man.

I remember my first day working with him. I was so nervous. I made so many mistakes. He was so patient with me. He would say, ‘Put her on the high harmony,’ so that I could feel comfortable. I was taking up time, but he was so gentle, such a paternal figure to me. I was about to tour with him for the ‘No Nuclelar War.’ I was in New York when I found out about his death. I was in my 20’s.

It shook me to the core.

I knew another chapter of my life was waiting. The next level of fame was right around the corner…”

No one could dance like her. She tells me about a time when she had to show some girls exactly what she was made of.

“My friends and I went to StoneLove, and there were these girls who were dancing, and when they saw us, they thought we couldn’t dance. They did not expect us to whine up our waist the way we did.

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Regardless of where I am from, or where I went to school, my whole background is roots and culture.”

Her fame started to filter in the 90’s. “Action” was her breakthrough hit, and she made sure that in the video she had women who represented Africa to the fullest.

When Terror Fabulous started to get big, I would walk down the streets in New York, and hear people yell “Fabulous.” I was on MTV and BET; it was so weird. I was famous. I remember my auntie telling me ‘Hello, get it in your head.’ Even now, it is still a bit of a disconnect.”

It has been a while since we heard from Nadine, but this did not mean that she wasn’t working.

“I thought my music career was over because I was older, but I didn’t realize that my music was becoming timeless. I was not getting shows, people were placing limitations on me, and I started to believe it. I was part of a television show called ‘Rising Star’ where I was one of the judges.

I enjoyed doing that. I also went ahead and completed my Masters in Cultural Studies. At the end of the day, I can put food on my table, and people can’t deny that I was an artist.”

Her love for music has never died, and you can hear it in her new song “Queen.”

“Queen was inspired by the life of women. It was written for Marcia Griffiths and myself, but she got busy. It is a song that I poured everything into financially, emotionally, everything. I saw it as a birthday gift to myself.

This song is about women who have gone through the wringer to be successful, who have been knocked down, and got back up. It is a song that everyone needs to hear.

‘Queen, some may put you aside, thought you gave up and died.’

Women have been writing to me, crying because there is so much in the song that they can relate to. I wanted people to hear it, relate to it. I am glad that I can still have this impact with my music. What a wonderful feeling!

A woman who continues to reinvent herself Photo Credit: Kenneth Reyes

Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News

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Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 3

Canada has lost more than 1.7 million birds to Avian Influenza since late 2021; should we be concerned?

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“The highly contagious and deadly Avian Influenza is spreading among poultry birds in Canada, with government authorities tracking cases in 12 farms so far in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as additional possible cases in Alberta and Quebec. “In Canada, avian influenza is a very serious issue.”

Will Mary Ng, Canada’s Federal Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion Just when we thought that things had calmed down, here we go again.

I want you to know that if you notice that the price of an omelette at your favourite breakfast spot has gone up a few dollars, it is because of a flu that is going around.

First detected in Indiana on February 8th, 2022, the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has spread wildly in chicken and turkey flocks across 24 U.S. States. Better known as the bird flu, Avian Influenza is a family of highly contagious

viruses that are not harmful to wild birds that transmit it, but are deadly to the domesticated birds that we rely on.

Due to this outbreak, egg prices have gone up by 52%. So an omelette is now going to cost you on average $2.88 for the eggs alone. That’s not including the cheese, onions, tomatoes, leeks, ham, hot dogs, chives, beans, salsa, pesto, avocado, love, or whatever else you may put in your omelettes.

This threat has moved closer to home, which is why we need to be concerned. Avian Influenza has been detected in Saskatchewan poultry farms and wild birds in the past couple of weeks.

In late April, the Government of Saskatchewan announced the highly contagious disease was confirmed in two poultry flocks days after the province introduced an animal health control area to protect chickens from catching the virus.

So far, about 260,000 birds have been euthanized or killed by the virus in Canada.

Approximately 166,000 of those were in Alberta and 84,000 were in Ontario.

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency poultry and egg producers in Canada have lost more than 1.7 million birds to Avian Influenza since late 2021.

This tally includes both birds that have died of the virus and birds that have been euthanized.

Are we going to see a hike in chicken and egg prices like Americans have?

Well, the Canadian supply chain as a whole for eggs and poultry is supposedly holding up well. Part of the reason for that is unlike in the U.S., Canadian chicken barns tend to be smaller, family run operations. America has massive industrial scale barns meaning that an outbreak at one property can take out a large group of birds.

Other than an increase in egg and chicken prices, should humans be concerned about catching the Avian Flu? According to the CDC, the risk to public health from this outbreak is low. Although Avian (bird) Influenza (flu) viruses usually do not infect people, there have been some rare cases of human infection with these viruses.

Infected birds shed bird flu virus through their saliva, mucous and feces.

Human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when the virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled.

This can happen when a virus is in the air (in droplets or possibly dust) and a person breathes it in, or possibly when a person touches something that has virus on it then touches their mouth, eyes or nose. Human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred most often after unprotected contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with bird flu viruses.

Some are saying that this “Bird

Flu Pandemic” scare has been employed to create fear in the public before. Some see it as an excuse to attack small-scale poultry farmers who raise their chickens and turkeys outdoors on pasture, rather than in confined huge warehouses that the commercial industry operates.

Others are saying that this is part of the Great Reset agenda, the globalist plan to use economic and social decline as an opportunity to establish a new one-world system. I guess only time will tell.

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PAGE 5

Champions of the community create facility for seniors in Durham PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

KPW Communications shared the press release of the opening of the first non-profit long-term home with the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper.

I interviewed Sacha Singh, President, and CEO of D&S Group to learn more about the process that led to the approval of a non-profit long-term home. Sacha shared with me his background prior to being involved with this project. He is of Trinidadian and Italian background and grew up in the Toronto area. He has been a licensed realtor with RE/MAX West Realty Inc. for seven years.

He told me that his journey as a developer has seen him involved with several projects across the Greater Toronto Area. It was on April 22nd, 2022, that the Province of Ontario issued this innovative and creative one-of-a-kind long-term care license in the history of Ontario. This unique project is being developed and managed by D&G Group. The project will be a collaboration between the D&S Group and Atlantic Mas Foundation, a non-profit community organization.

Aisha Heywood, family spokesperson for the Atlantic Mas Foundation states in the press release, “The Atlantic Mas family has supported the community for many years in various areas. We are excited that

we now have a new and meaningful road to travel, which will benefit the elders we respect and care for so much.”

Sacha is excited about this project and the location has still not yet been determined in order to ensure that it satisfies ministry development guidelines. He states in the press release, “I am truly proud to be a part of this important initiative for the Afro-Caribbean community. We have surrounded ourselves with champions of the community to ensure we create the absolute facility for our seniors. Our objective is to provide a beautiful living environment that anyone would be proud to call home.”

Sacha told me that there were over 200 hundred people present at the announcement, and it was delightfully catered with Caribbean cuisine. Sacha told me that it is fitting that this long-term care be built in Durham given the increasing population of Black elders who are part of the demographics.

Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge states, “I’m proud to support this project, as it will provide much needed long-term care beds to Durham residents while supporting our region’s vibrant AfroCaribbean population as they age. Today’s announcement speaks to our government’s commitment to ensure that seniors receive the best culturally appropriate care in their own communities.”

Sacha told me that Dr. Alvin Curling is supportive of the project, “This significant announcement is welcomed by the Afro-Caribbean Black community.

The contribution of the community to the health care sector is well documented. This project will certainly help to address the desperate long-term care need in our community.“

CANADA’S LEADING CARIBBEAN NEWSPAPER Selina McCallum TC REPORTER selina@carib101.com

Noel Cunningham FOOD | CULINARY noel@carib101.com

Dave Rankin AFRICAN HISTORY dave@carib101.com

Jay Brijpaul REAL ESTATE jay@carib101.com

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Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

Polypropylene found DEEP in human lungs for the FIRST TIME MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Why are plastic particles and polypropylene suddenly and for the first time showing up in the lungs of people including children, why?

Well, it may interest you to know that polypropylene, the same plastic found in face masks, is now being found deep in the lungs of living humans, could this be a coincidence? We are about to find out.

About a year and a half ago an article from the CDC reported that polypropylene is recommended in masks.

Back in December, the Quebec government revealed that the nearly 15,000 daycares across the province, which they had mandated to wear masks, should stop doing so.

They reasoned that these masks did not meet safety standards and were to be discontinued. As a reader, I hope you see the confusion here.

So, between May and November of that year, the government distributed 31,000,000 masks that for the second time were not fit to be used, and yes 18 months later, these toxins are being discovered deep in the lungs of humans.

According to a Vancouver news source the scientists that made this discovery said, “Micro-plastic pollution was now ubiquitous across the planet, making human exposure unavoidable and meaning there is an increasing concern regarding the hazards to health.”

Samples were taken from tissue removed from 13 patients during surgery. Micro-plastics were found in 11 of them. One of the most common particles was polypropylene, which is used in packaging and pipes, and PET, used in bottles. Two more studies have found microplastics at high rates in lung tissue taken during autopsies.

People were already known to inhale microplastics, as well as consume them in water and food, which makes the victim susceptible to diseases.

The full impact of microplastics in the blood is yet to be known as they

can travel around the body and lodge in any organ, this leaves researchers concerned as the damage to human internal organs and cells is already known to have caused millions of early deaths a year.

“We did not expect to find the highest number of particles in the lower regions of the lungs, or particles of the sizes we found,” said Laura Sadofsky at Hull York medical school in the UK, a senior author of the study. “It is surprising as the airways are smaller in the lower parts of the lungs and we would have expected particles of these sizes to be filtered out or trapped before getting this deep.”

More research is needed on how micro and “Nano plastics’ affect the human body, especially in light of the Nanotech and gene reconstruction age we are living in right now.

Speaking of Nanotech, here is what one policy manager said about this component, “Nanoparticles are often promoted as silver bullets against pollution or bacteria,” she says, “but we must make sure that the cure is not worse than the disease,” said Mathilde Detcheverry, Avicenn’s policy manager.

Be it plastic particles, polypropylene, or “chemtrails” spraying tons of nanosized aluminium compounds in the environment under the disguise of preventing global warming, we as humans are under severe attack and this has ramped up in the last two years.

Just as how these recent mysterious plastic particles and polypropylene find their way into the lungs of humans, equally so the nanosized aluminium compounds find their way into the same organs including the brain, and what’s more troubling is in this case the Nanoparticles affect the part of the brain that’s responsible for memory and emotion.

Dr. and Neurosurgeon Dr. Russell Blaylock had this to say about the devastating health effects of the chemtrails and geo-engineering programs that have been implemented in secret without public consent.

“I pray that the pilots who are spraying this dangerous substance fully understand that they are destroying the life and health of their families as well.

This is also true of our political officials.

Once the soil, plants, and water sources are heavily contaminated there will be no way to reverse the damage that has been done.”

NEWS

PAGE 7

NEWS

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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

What many of us never thought, was that we were going to see issues like food shortages in North America Let’s take a look at some of the shortages that are becoming more evident in 2022:

SIMONE SMITH

•

simone@carib101.com

• • •

TC REPORTER

• According to the World Economic Forum, in 2020, 20 million more people experienced acute food insecurity at “crisis or worse levels,” then in 2019. Around 133,000 people in Burkina Faso, South Sudan, and Yemen faced widespread death and a collapse of livelihoods in the most severe level of food crisis.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Syria, northern Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Haiti were also amongst the 10 worst affected countries, accounting for two thirds of those most at risk from malnutrition, starvation and death.

What COVID-19 did was expose the fragility of the global food system and the need for more equitable, sustainable and resilient systems in order to feed 8.5 billion people by 2030.

What many of us never thought was that we were going to see issues like food shortages in North America. On March 24th, 2022, President Biden warned of an increase in food shortages due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “It’s going to be real,” President Biden said. “The price of these sanctions is not just imposed upon Russia; it’s imposed upon an awful lot of countries as well, including European countries and our country as well. Russia and Ukraine have been the breadbasket of Europe in terms of wheat.”

• • • •

Meat shortages, especially beef and poultry Dairy may be in short supply this year Egg shortages Plant-based proteins may be in short supply this year Shortages of fruits, vegetables, and other goods made with produce There will likely be a canned food shortage in 2022 We may see shortages of imported goods We may experience a pet food shortage in 2022 Bottled water and soda shortages may occur

If you think that things are bad now, just wait until we get into the second half of this year. What we need to be concerned about is the food that won’t be produced during this current growing season in the northern hemisphere. Worldwide fertilizer prices have doubled or tripled, this nightmarish bird flu pandemic is wiping out millions of chickens and turkeys, and bizarre weather patterns are absolutely hammering agricultural production all over the planet.

It really is quite a mess, so we want to ensure our community is prepared, and one way to do this is by imploring you to start growing your own food.

One thing that we have to take into consideration is that not all crops are created equal — at least not in terms of monetary worth. Growing certain plants could mean significant savings especially when shopping at the supermarket. Just think about it; food growing just steps away? That’s as fresh as it gets, and since you’re able to harvest and consume your produce at peak ripeness, it tastes better and offers greater nutrition than what you typically find in stores.

There are some other little discussed reasons why growing your own food will become a necessity. Since around 1940, we have seen a decline in nutritional value of up to 40%. On average, vegetables today have significantly less minerals, vitamins, and protein than vegetables did less than a century ago. The two main reasons for this decrease are:

“Shortages may depend on where you buy your groceries as there are regional differences in supply.”

(Josh Brazil, VP of Supply Insights at Project44) What we are experiencing in Canada is acute food insecurity. This occurs when a person’s inability to access and consume adequate food puts their life or livelihood in immediate danger. This might seem extreme to those who live the middle-class lifestyle, or in the suburbs, but there are parts of this great country where people’s lives are in danger.

There is a reason that we are noticing items missing from local grocery shelves, and it all varies depending on where you live, as well as the climate where you live. Living in the Northern Hemisphere exposes us to winter storms, which slow down supply chains in the short term.

It is why different regions may have shortages of different things, especially depending on whether you shop at big box stores or other shops, like local farmer’s markets.

Environmental dilution effect Food producers use fertilization, irrigation, and other means common in industrialized farming to increase yield (and lower produce price). These methods have been found to also decrease produce quality.

Genetic dilution effect Much of the food grown commercially now comes from hybrid plants developed to quickly produce hearty yields, often at the cost of quality. People are trying to grow more food faster, but their approach is impacting produce quality.

So how do you start a garden, especially if

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Where am I going to start my garden?

Most fruits and vegetables need full sun, with a minimum of five hours of direct sunlight per day for fruiting. Greens, herbs and root veggies will grow in partial shade.

Southern gardens may benefit from late afternoon shade, whereas northern gardens likely need all the sun they can get.

Avoid high wind areas and frost pockets (low areas where frost is likely to settle), and watch out for wildlife, pet damage and children’s play areas. Depending on where you live, you could have deer and wild bunnies come to visit, so we plan accordingly.

Plan your garden beds Once you know where you want your garden, you have to decide on the type and size of your garden bed(s). Raised beds are attractive and may make it easier to work in your garden, but they also dry out more quickly. In very dry areas, sunken beds can be used to gather available moisture.

Start small, and make sure to give each plant enough room to grow. The seeds and transplants are tiny, but full-grown plants can get huge. Overcrowded plants have difficulty thriving. A small, well-tended garden can produce as much or more than a large, poorly tended garden.

If you live in an apartment building or condominium you may not think that you have many gardening options, but on the contrary, you do. If you grow vertically, you can squeeze more crops into less space. You can vertically grow tomatoes, beans, peas, cucumbers, and occasionally other crops.

Consider growing bags or containers to start your garden. There are selfwatering containers that are a lot more forgiving than terracotta flowerpots, which tend to dry out quickly.

Plant seeds roughly three times

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Part of the reason you don’t see crops like turnips, onions, and carrots on the list is because they are considered “plant oneharvest one” plants. With planting oneharvest one plants, you plant one seed (or seedling), and after several weeks of growing, you get one harvest.

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Ask yourself, what am I going to grow in my home garden?

There are some things to think about here: do you want to plan for storing vegetables, or only enough to eat fresh? It’s probably best to start your garden mainly with fresh eating in mind, but some vegetables are extremely easy to store. Some examples are: • Bell peppers • Herbs (e.g., basil, cilantro, parsley) • Lettuce (and most other greens, really) • Squash (including zucchini) • Tomatoes

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as deep as the diameter of the seed, unless otherwise directed on the package. Some seeds require light for germination.

For transplants – most transplants are planted at the same depth they were growing in the pot. The exception is tomatoes, which can be planted deeper or trenched in. Wait until danger of frost is past to plant heat loving plants such as: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, okra, etc.

You are going to need the right tools.

Basic gardening equipment includes: • Garden hoe • Scuffle hoe • Dirt rake • Leaf rake • Garden shovel or D handle shovel • Hand tools If you’re not prepared to make time in your schedule to tend to your new garden, you may be better off hitting the farmer’s market, or sticking with extremely low maintenance items like sprouts or herbs. Depending on the size of your garden, time requirements may range from a few minutes per day to a full time job.

We have to make strategic decisions for our family and for our community, and it starts with ensuring that everyone in our community eats, and eats well.

NEWS

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 9

“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is becoming a national security threat to the people of America.” A retired Lieutenant Commander speaks out!

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

In June of last year, the U.S Senate forced the Biden administration to lay out plans for working with allies on China-related issues. They gave the White House 90 days

to publish a strategy explaining where it agrees and disagrees with Canada on China related issues.

The bill focused on a number of issues around the Trudeau government’s relationship with China. They included: trade, cyber-security, Huawei, 5G networks, mineral resources, defence, the Arctic, global institutions, organized crime, as well as the spread of authoritarian government.

CBC, did an article on the 1,400page legislation. Alexander Panetta (Journalist) notes that the bill would then require the U.S. administration to report to Congress at least twice a year for five years

on how the strategy is going. The report would be available for public viewing, though it might contain a classified portion.

One issue that the U.S. has been pressing is for Canada to take a stance on banning Huawei from the 5G networks, a decision Canada has yet to make. The reason that some global powers have banned Huawei is because they believe that China is using Huawei to spy on their citizens. The governments see Huawei as an agent of the Chinese government, and they are focused on protecting critical infrastructure from “hostile state vendors.”

The bill called for similar reports about U.S. relations with other entities, such as NATO and the European Union; and with regions such as the Caribbean; and countries including Australia and Japan.

In April 2021, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez (DN.J.) and ranking member Sen. Jim Risch announced their finished bipartisan proposal to counter China’s rising political and financial power. This bill marked years of growing bipartisan concern about the rise of an increasingly authoritarian China.

Three cheers for Chris Thomas, The CEO, making not just good music, but great music!

EUGENE PITTER eugene@carib101.com

ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER

JAMAICA -- Some people get a champagne pop-up once or twice in their lifetime; birthdays and weddings usually. Others may only have dreams about this unforgettable experience, but, for Chris Thomas, The CEO of I.W.A.A.D. Music L.L.C, his cheers come throughout his lifetime.

For almost thirty odd years in his music career he could be walking on cloud nine, but, to tell you the truth he is pretty down to earth.

“One of Jamaica’s most brilliant

medical deejays,” announced Dr. Garth McDonald The CEO at Victoria Jubilee Hospital.

“This Chis The CEO is so hard to please, because he dots every I and crosses every T. You have got to leave no space for criticisms. He is meticulous.”

As a producer he is not afraid to identify the flaws and misgivings. His ears are as clean as a whistle, and he is always ready to strike up a debate in music because he is confident of victory.

Just call some of reggae’s superstars like Shaggy, and he could tell you a lot about him.

No storm or hurricane will scare his mission, because he has experienced the good old days and the bad times too.

When fellow producers let down their arms and surrendered during COVID-19, Chris The CEO was burning the midnight oil.

“Apart from the illnesses it was a wake-up call for me as I got time to perfect

and understand the business of music.”

He spends most of his time listening, interpreting, and analysing dozens of songs, which come to him every week.

“I feel I was born to do music; it has been the only thing which grabs my attention one hundred per cent.”

In 2021 Chris Thomas The CEO produced over 30 songs during the height of the pandemic. These include: • • • • • •

Ricky General “Leave Earth” (January 7th, 2021) Uber Driver “Tarnado (January 14th, 2021) Dehjavue “Pill A Pop” (January 28th, 2021) Vybz Carmel “Boyie” (April 19th, 2021) G Maffiah “One Bottle” (April 13th, 2021) Beenie Man and Shaka Pow “No Loving” (May 14th, 2021)

Chris Thomas has a new project, which

seems destined to explode.

It’s called “Make Money Plenty,” by Dr Beenie Man. This project started a year ago with a new team. The team includes Jayfk production on track and SonicLink production (Distant Plannet) mixing. The original producers Platinum Camp and Outfytt Records approved it.

Chris Thomas The CEO grew up in Tryal Heights, St. Catherine, Jamaica. His father Tommy was a member of The Chantells, a harmony trio known in the 1970’s.

A graduate of Camperdown High School, Chris Thomas The CEO migrated to join his mother in the US in 1994. He started organizing stage shows with acts including: Bunny Wailer, Dancehall Queen Carlene and G. Maffiah.

Chris Thomas The CEO continues to embrace these words: “The love of music is the importance of making not just good music, but great music. A work, which will represent you for the rest of your life.”

Students are facing mental health challenges, and Ontario wants them to know that help is here PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The Ontario government realizes that Ontario students require additional mental health support and have taken steps to increase accessibility.

Ontario Education Ministers states in a press release, “We recognize that more than ever before, many students face mental health challenges, and we want them to know help is here. While our government increased school mental health funding to the highest levels, we are going further by supporting community partners to expand critical mental health resources, initiatives to reduce drug use, and supports that will keep students safe on the road and in the classrooms.”

These investments are part of the Ontario $600-million Learning Recovery Plan for 2022-23, as well as an additional investment of $105 million towards support for student resiliency and mental well-being as well as evidence-based mental health programs and resources. The mental health components of the learning recovery plan include: •

Mandatory professional develop-

ment on mental health for educators • Working with the Ministry of Health, to consult with stakeholders to leverage the best available evidence on merging student mental health needs, and the potential of a graduation requirement on resilience and mental well-being • Continuing to support student resilience and well-being with the following goals: (i) mentally health classrooms and learning environments (ii) effective and responsive school mental health and addiction supports (iii) connections to the broader comprehensive system of mental healthcare Dr. Kathy Short (Executive Director, School Mental Health Ontario) states, “Supportive, weight inclusive, classroom wellness promotion and knowledge building about risk factors and early warning signs is an important part of eating disorder prevention. School

Mental Health Ontario appreciates the opportunity to work alongside global leaders at Eating Disorders Ontario to support school-based eating disorders prevention efforts.”

There has been attention focused on the importance of the children’s brain health and this will be addressed through new funding. Lynn Oosluns (President, Women’s Brain Health Initiative) states, “Investing in the brain health of our children is essential for achieving not only healthy minds of today, but also healthy minds in the years to come.

Research has shown that how we treat our brain health as children can have a huge impact on our brain health as adults. With the demand to re-establish healthy habits after two years of social isolation and virtual learning, this investment in Brainable comes at a critical time. Brainable is an initiative to help students learn how to increase brain health.”

PAGE 10

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Interesting Question was asked; where are we getting the money to fund these Government Programs?

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“Despite the federal government’s borrow-now, pay-for-it-later approach to public programs, Canadians need to be aware that these new programs have significant costs that will have to be paid for by taxpayers eventually,” (Jake Fuss, Associate Director Fraser Institute) Last week, I received an eye opening email from the Fraser Institute, an independent Canadian: public policy research and educational organization. They currently have offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries.

Their mission statement stemmed thought; it was to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families, and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being.

They also noted that to protect the Institute’s independence, they did not accept grants from governments or contracts for research.

Hmmm! For me, it was worth taking a look. What did they know that was not being shared with the larger public?

Let’s start with what is being promised.

Dental Care The budget proposed to introduce national dental care in 2022 for: • Canadians under 12 years old • Expand to under 18-year-olds • Seniors, and disabled persons in 2023 • Full implementation by 2025 Only families with annual incomes under $90,000 would be eligible for the program

with an estimated annual cost of $1.7 billion upon full implementation.

National Day Care Program The national day care program aims to make daily fees equivalent to $10 for all regulated day care spaces in the country by 2025. Annual costs are estimated to total $7.9 billion upon full implementation of the program.

National Pharmacare This part of the plan has not been formally introduced. The federal government has promised to pass a Canada Pharmacare bill by the end of 2023. They want to develop a national formulary of essential medicines and a bulk-purchasing plan for prescription drugs. The 2019 “Hoskins Report” estimated that once fully implemented, the national pharmacare could cost $15.3 billion annually.

Fraser Institute interviewed 1,509 Canadians between April 15th and April 17th, 2022. They found that support for the: $10-a-day day care, pharmacare, and dental care was 69% or higher when no

changes in taxes were attached.

Support for these same programs plummeted well below 50% when an increase in the GST was attached to them.

Our elected officials are very good at finessing; that is their job. They want you to trust and believe in them. Unfortunately, regardless of their good intentions, there are always aspects of the dialogue that are left out.

Any increase in government spending must be financed in one of two ways: through higher taxes or borrowing.

Governments can either tax today, or they can tax tomorrow in the form of borrowing today.

Fraser Institute’s analysis of Budget 2022 is that it continues to rely on borrowing (i.e., deficits) to finance new spending programs, which means the government is simply deferring tax increases to the future.

“The reality of any new or expanded government program is that at some point Canadians have to pay for them, either in the form of higher taxes or less spending on other programs,” Fuss said.

The Offshore Effect; how is this affecting our community?

STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Many firms have been suffering from a terminal virus for many decades. It is known as the “Offshore Effect,” a mind set, a process whereby a firm buys materials or products from offshore firms, having found these products to be appealingly cheaper than comparable domestically made ones.

Well, the pandemic has influenced this process, and along with corporate mismanagement, many firms are in financial peril (shed a tear).

Businesses small, medium and large have thrown in their lot with offshore sources, placing their trust in these foreign firms to supply cheaper materials and products. The offshore manufacturers are presently unable to produce items on time, having felt the effects of this pandemic, the loss of their employees and fragile supply chains too.

Further chaos reigns due to the shipping/logistic business sector, which are willing to ship items so long as their overly inflated charges are paid. Fewer shipping firms are in business, and the opportunity to fleece their customers in need has presented itself. What may have cost $3,500 now costs $15,000 to ship.

Mismanagement was mentioned.

Well, what else can you call it when purchasing professionals threw their lot in with offshore firms, ignoring the actual possibility that these firms may not be able to fulfil their orders? Any purchasing professional

knows they should have alternative sources for the products they require, and yet many firms relied upon offshore sources only. Many firms’ greed for cheaper items, placed their trust in foreign firms, and not those located in your neighbourhoods. Instead of employing your neighbours, these firms are often underpaid elsewhere.

Now, many firms are hoping to establish domestic supply chains, something they should have done long ago. Did you know that 41% of an American vehicle’s parts are made offshore? Is the milk that your children are drinking made in your neighbourhood? America sells more milk to Canada, than it imports from Canada.

Do you know where items you use every day come from? What conditions the workers experience while making these items?

How safe are these items? Most people seem to be more concerned about the price of a product than other factors. Price is seemingly king. For over fifty years many

of the firms you are most familiar with have ignored domestic manufacturing and ordered their products from offshore sources. They invested not in your communities, employing your neighbours and children, but in firms often located in unfriendly, and competitive nations.

Our governments give these firms tax write offs, tax shelters, and corporate welfare cheques to establish offices in your neighbourhoods, but not real manufacturing plants (auto industry exception).

Corporations make donations to various political parties and politicians benefit. The middle class and working people of your neighbourhood do not benefit.

Support those firms that support you and your community. Buy domestically made items mostly because they are usually better made, you can see where they are made and investing domestically will build a future for us all.

Sgt. Rodcliff Chung is facing more than two-dozen charges under Ontario’s Police Act PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Thanks to Sergeant Rodcliffe Chung (aka Officer Rod) the lives of many troubled youths have been transformed from one of challenges, difficulties, and setbacks to hope, positivity, and enrichment.

As a 20-plus-year veteran police officer with the Toronto Police Services (TPS), he has received numerous awards and recognition for his work within the Black community. He is currently a supervisor with the Employment Unit and throughout his years of policing, he has been warmly received for his emphasis on the community aspects of policing. In addition, he founded Fresh Start 4 Youth in No-

vember 2008 where he serves as program director.

According to his LinkedIn profile, “It is a residential group home facility that works with youth and adolescents to provide positive guidance and treatment.”

This facility is managed by professionally trained staff that provides culturally appropriate services and creative programs daily as well as residential support. The name, “Fresh Start” comes from the mission of the group to give troubled youths another chance to be transformed from an uncertain past to a new and bright future.

Through the development of life skills, the youths will be able to acquire strategies and life management techniques that enable them to develop to their full potential.

The celebration of the 10th anniversary of Fresh Start 4 Youth Services was celebrated in 2012 and the support that was shown to Officer Rod Chun is palpable and can be seen on YouTube.

Things seem to have taken a turn for the worst as was revealed in an opinion piece by Michelle Mandel in the Wednesday, April 22nd, 2022 issue of the Toronto

Sun. She informed the Sun’s readers that Sgt. Rodcliff Chung is, “Facing more than two dozen charges under Ontario’s Police Act over his running of a for-profit group home for disadvantaged youth” She reported that a 2020 notice of hearing indicated that he allegedly started the group home, “Without receiving the necessary approval from the police chief.”

Furthermore, she writes, “His dealings with youth who could be involved with the criminal justice system placed him in an on-going conflict of interest.”

There are questions that arise as to why after all these years the TPS decided to file 28 charges of misconduct and insubordination. Some of the charges include using TPS email, voicemail, computers, and supplies to operate his business and his position as a police sergeant to act on behalf of the group homes.

There are other allegations against Sgt. Chung from interfering with police investigations, to conflict of interest between his role as a police officer and owner of the group home where individuals were under investigation. Some of the misconduct

charges listed surround his use of his TPS email account, such as: •

•

In 2013, he wrote a Peel police staff sergeant for help after a request from rapper P. Reign and Drake for paid duty was turned down In 2019, he wrote a support letter proclaiming the innocence of a woman’s daughter charged with drug trafficking in New Zealand despite not having access to any of the evidence

Maureen Salama, a lawyer for Officer Chung told the Toronto Sun, “Sgt. Chung looks forward to defending himself against these charges before the tribunal and denies the misconduct that he has been alleged to have committed. He looks forward to his hearing and his ability to respond to the charges at that time.”

He has significant support from the community who know him as a strong youth advocate and looks forward to a positive outcome at his hearing in January 2023.

NEWS

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 11

Does lack of housing mean increase in discrimination?

Fair accommodation practices in Ontario SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The Toronto housing crisis is putting a strain on living conditions. It is simple; the demand for new housing in Toronto far outweighs the supply, and the pandemic, as we know, has wreaked havoc on every part of our lives.

In a report authorized by The Canadian Urban Institute, City of Toronto and Canadian Centre of Economic Analysis some upset information was discovered. The average rent for a home in Toronto is $2,385 per month. The average salary in Toronto is $63,000. Given the average rent, it would take up almost 50% of the average income (October, 2021 https://precondo.ca/torontohousing-crisis/).

What does this all mean? It means that there is a definite lack of affordable housing in Toronto. With this comes a significant issue; in both Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) many renters are now forced to put up with discrimination. This is

not new, and when I did a little research, I found an important piece of information that both renters, and property owners should be aware of.

The Fair Accommodations Practices Act was first introduced in April of 1954. It was a time when: Black people, Indigenous peoples, newcomers, those living on lower incomes, single mothers, young people, seniors, and families with children were facing high levels of discrimination in housing.

This discrimination was a lot more covert at the time, but with the introduction of nondiscrimination acts, it has become somewhat overt.

The entrenched prejudice that defined Canada as a White, Anglo-Saxon, and Christian country had deep roots going back more than a century. J.S. Woodsworth, one of the founders of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation believed that in order to prosper, new immigrants should assimilate the values and customs of Canadian society.

From Woodsworth’s perspective, British, Scandinavian, German, and French immigrants made much better Canadians than Jews, Eastern Europeans or Asians. You can imagine what they thought about Black and First Nations people. Foreigners were viewed as undesirable, impoverished, uncivilized, and immoral — in short, a danger to the health and future of Canadian society.

Caribbean, Africans, and First Na-

tion people were segregated, excluded from, or denied equal access to opportunities and services such as education, employment, housing, transportation, immigration, health care and commercial establishments. The racial segregation of Black people in Canada was historically enforced through laws, court decisions and social norms.

It is discomforting to know that not much has changed. Only now, it can be very subtle and difficult to identify. For example, a property manager requiring co-signers or guarantors for a newcomer renter makes renting difficult because most newcomers will not have a community or family to support them on that front. This form of discrimination is referred to as constructive discrimination. It is when a policy or rule indirectly creates barriers for particular groups of people.

Sometimes things happen, and you can’t really put a finger on it, but you are absolutely sure that you have faced discrimination. Here are some examples of discrimination that you may not have thought of: • • •

A property manager harassing renters because of the type of cuisine they cook in their home A property manager evicting a renter because their disability causes them to make noise at night A property manager imposing a strict

•

noise limit policy on renters with young children A property manager putting renters into a unit that needs repairs because they do not expect younger renters to make a complaint or to know their legal rights

The low vacancy rate of affordable rental housing means that property managers have access to a larger pool of renters to choose from and may base their choice on discriminatory grounds. Unfortunately, when rental housing is scarce, renters are more willing to stay in housing situations where they are being discriminated against.

I think that there needs to be a refresher course for new property managers, and those who continue to discriminate. As a renter, become aware of your rights, and take note of how you are treated when you go to look at properties. Document everything, and report any covert or overt discrimination that you experience.

If you need human rights legal advice or help filing an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, contact the Ontario Human Rights Legal Support Centre at: 416-597-4900 or 1-866-625-5179 and speak with a Human Rights Advisor.

To file an application directly with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, visit their website and follow the instructions for how to file an application.

Mysterious hepatitis outbreak in children: What we know?

MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Hepatitis in children is not very common, but when there is a worldwide outbreak that affects 200 children without a reasonable tracing pattern of origins, that’s a problem.

Let’s first examine what hepatitis is. It is an inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by viruses, drugs such as alcohol, prescription medications, toxins, or certain medical conditions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

In most cases hepatitis is caused by a viral infection specifically, the hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E. In the U.S. hepatitis A, B and C are the most common causes of

viral hepatitis. This disease sometimes causes swelling of the liver, which affects the proper function of important organs.

This type of hepatitis as described above is unusual in children and the usual causes for inflammation of the liver in these cases have been ruled out.

In March and April, more than a dozen cases of unexplained hepatitis in children were reported in Scotland, when the country usually sees less than four such cases each year.

Of the 200 cases were reported universally in: Israel, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Norway, France, Romania, and Belgium combined carried 190, and 10 are from the U.S. Symptoms of this disease The manifesting symptoms are: jaundice or yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, which has been seen in many of the affected children, and a great number of the children also experienced gastrointestinal symptoms, including: abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. It has been reported that

seventeen of the affected children have required liver transplants and at least one has died.

The CDC is suggesting that the cause of this illness could be a family of viruses that can cause a range of symptoms, including cold-like symptoms, fevers, pneumonia, diarrhea, and pink eye.

While doing a bit of detective work as to how these infections came about, I stumbled on at least one admission in Forbes news outlet which points to the “COVID injection” as the culprit.

The source admits, “Yes, this case has evidence that acute hepatitis could potentially be a side effect of the Pfizer COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.” I have posted the news link below as evidence.

Another news source reported that the COVID-19 vaccines use different types of adenoviruses. Astra-Zeneca uses a chimpanzee adenovirus and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses a Type 26 adenovirus. In both cases, the adenovirus is inactivated so that it can’t cause disease.

I must say, however, that I find it

very suspicious that these two pharmaceutical companies are using a product with almost identical side effects as a disease that has broken out suddenly in healthy children.

“It’s still a mystery. It seems to be associated with adenovirus, but it isn’t a slam dunk,” said Dr. Fauci” According to another well-known and much-censored source, the NHS began rolling out the Pfizer COVID-19 injection to five million 5 to 11-year-old children in the UK at the beginning of April 2022. It had previously been administered to young children deemed vulnerable since the end of 2021.

Now could it be just a coincidence that a mere few weeks later an extremely concerning number of children are suffering hepatitis of unknown cause? I hope this is sinking in.

Someone recently said, with all this time and money being invested in these injections and the narrative that it is safe, there is way too much to lose to tell the public the truth now. So, for now, the public will just have to use their God-given common sense to separate truth from lies.

There will be a Jamaican presence in Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2022 PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Johanna Grant is driven to succeed in all her endeavours as a nurse, mother of six children, entrepreneur, and now a bandleader of the Freedom Mas Band. On Sunday, March 20th, 2022, she had her band launch at 5 Gateway Blvd in Brampton. The launch was the first Jamaican float featuring custom-made carnival costumes. This was truly an epic event as it showcased distinctive Jamaican themes that will add to the flavour of 55-year-old Toronto international carnival affectionately known

as Caribana.

She is excited to bring back the Jamaican Band after a 16-year absence. She states, “Honestly, one of the reasons I decided to get into this (the Carnival business) was because my children have never seen our (Jamaican) Flag in the parade. God willing it will happen this summer.”

Johanna enjoys the carnival culture and played mas over the years with several well-known bands such as: Tribal, Carnival Nationz, and the Revellers. She became acquainted with many aspects of the masquerade experience and decided to enter a band in 2021. After founding a rental space, she had to curtail her plans because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the cancellation of the festival. The choice of Brampton is an ideal location as there is a large African Canadian community there who are wholeheartedly supportive of the Toronto carnival and often must trek over to Scarborough where most of the mas camps are located.

As an entrepreneur, Johanna, in addition to serving as CEO and band leader at Freedom Mas Band, is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder at Fit with Freedom. Johanna is a registered nurse with over 20 years of experience. Fit with Freedom is a Nurse-managed Health and Wellness Company. There is a lot of information about vitamins and supplements that are made in Canada at the websitthwww.fitwithfreedom. org/vitamins.html.

I interviewed Johanna on Saturday, April 30th, 2022, and she shared with me details about the challenges and struggles that she is facing especially with the logistics and supply chain issues with respect to getting materials from China. She realized that one of the challenges is overcoming the negative stereotypes that are often associated with dancehall culture. She has a strong and cohesive team that is supportive of her vision and mission in order to empower the theme of “Genesis” which is appropriate in this her

first year.

Her mas band has eight sections, and she is expecting about 500 masqueraders to participate. She is aware of the legal, moral and ethical aspects along with the risks and liabilities of running a band. She told me of the exorbitant cost of renting warehouse space, and will be using space at 173 Advance Blvd, Unit 55 in Brampton.

As the countdown to the 2022 Toronto Carnival begins, Johanna is looking for more sponsors and to increase awareness to the wider community. “Building an organization is a lot of work, and the most challenging part is getting a male’s perspective without threatening the man. They think they know it all and have all the answers.”

Anyone interested in Freedom Mas Band can check out the following to get more information.

Website:www.freedomamasband Facebook: Freedom Mas Band Instagram: @freedommasband

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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Is putting fluoride in our water a safe? The fluoride debate continues SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

This is not the first time that we have spoken about fluoride and the drastic effects that it can have on the human body. This has not been propagated on mainstream media, and it could be tied to the fact that the governments of North America not only promote, but boast about the benefits of adding fluoride to water.

According to Canada.ca (Fluoride and Oral Health), our government supports Community Water Fluoridation as an effective way to prevent tooth decay. They state that it is universally accessible and provides benefits to all members of a community, regardless of their:

• • • • • • •

Age Gender Income Ethnicity Education Access to oral health services Ability to afford oral hygiene supplies

They claim that Community Water Fluoridation has proven to be a safe, effective and equitable way to prevent and reduce tooth decay (including root decay) for people of all ages - from children to seniors.

Fluoride was first added to water in the United States in the 1940s to help prevent tooth decay in children eight years and under, but not everyone supports water fluoridation. The practice has sparked outrage among many Americans, including the general public, environmental activists, pregnant women, mothers, and other groups, calling for a nationwide ban on adding fluoride to public drinking water.

Some researchers argue that fluoride is a neurotoxin that is harmful to the thyroid, brain, and bone. They also claim

that, when ingested, the mineral may present certain health risks, some of which we’ll be discussing in this article.

What I found interesting when investigating the use of fluoride in water is that in 2015, because of growing concerns that people were getting too much fluoride, the U.S. government decreased how much of the anti-cavity mineral that was put into water. It was the first time in more than 50 years the amount has been lowered.

The Department of Health and Human Services and Environmental Protection Agency proposed the change because of an increase in fluorosis - a condition that causes spotting and streaking on children’s teeth.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says dental fluorosis is highest among adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15. There is a good reason for the increase in fluorosis: North Americans have access to fluoride from a variety of sources, including toothpaste, mouth rinses and prescription supplements.

In 2006 the National Research Council, the nation’s most prestigious sci-

entific advisory bodies, called for a reassessment of the safety of fluoride in drinking water. It advised setting health-based upper limits to prevent fluoride-induced tooth and bone problems, including: bone fractures, skeletal fluorosis, a painful sometimes crippling condition, and tooth enamel pitting and staining, known as dental fluorosis The council also noted an emerging body of science that implicated fluoride in other serious health problems, including: neurotoxicity, hormone disruption and the rare bone cancer osteosarcoma.

Once again, as citizens, we need to hold our governments accountable. We must demand that adequate research is done into fluoridation that will help us understand the mechanisms by which fluoride may be toxic to the developing brain.

It would also be helpful if we were aware of populations highly vulnerable to fluoride in drinking water. If these individuals are at risk, their water must come from a source that is lower in fluoride.

Let us continue to speak out and demand more when it comes to our health.

Real rap; introducing Pockets Change, educating youth on financial resilience through hip-hop JANIECE CAMPBELL janiece@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Financial literacy is low among many adults, especially within the Black community. According to the Federal Reserve’s 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances, the average American White family had over eight times the wealth of the average Black family. Closing the disparities within the racial wealth gap is a very complex issue with no one-size-fits-all solution, but there’s one organization that stands out in their goals of educating the next generation on financial resilience.

Pockets Change takes pride in helping individuals build an effective relationship with money, as they believe that financial education is more than just numbers, but a means for self-care and social justice.

They do so through an interactive learning environment using hip-hop, an unlikely but efficient way to process information.

“We all learn differently. The ways

that we learn are important, and it’s important for us to help students find the place where they learn how they learn. Because once you learn how to learn, you can learn anything. The elements of hip-hop are all those different modes of learning. The expression, the dancing, the deejaying, the graffiti. Those are all ways that we learn as well,” says Brian Kushner, prominently known as ‘Dyalekt’, the Director of Pedagogy at Pockets Change.

Though he brings over 20 years of experience in the New York City theatre and hip-hop scenes, Dyalekt has been a key part of Pockets Change for about seven years now. The organization, founded by his wife Pamela Capalad and Andrea Ferrero, has provided education to K-12 students across the nation and outside of it as well, particularly in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, where Dyalekt hails from. They have rewritten programs for financial institutions, schools, and even wrote the national financial literacy curriculum for the country of Uganda.

“We learn a lot about how personal finance is a revolutionary act but it doesn’t sound like it because the stuff that we’re teaching about is banks, insurance and the stock market… these are all terrible institutions that hate us and want to exploit us. The thing that I found is that there’s no real way to escape the things that they’re doing, so if

we’re being exploited by it, I should at least get a piece of it. To get a piece of it is making sure that I have my head above water through getting my credit score together, ensuring that I have some savings in my account, and that I have some property. Then, I’m less likely to be taken out of the game. It’s important for us to make sure that folks can get that financial foundation so that they can make the decisions they want to make in life for themselves and their community.”

He continues. “That’s the connection between the revolutionary mindset and getting your personal finances together that we find important at Pocket Change. How we translate that to the youth is that we give them the information about the institutions, here is why it’s harmful, here is why you would need to use it anyway, now tell me how you feel about that and what you want to do about it.”

In partnership with Spondulics, Pockets Change is producing Hip-Hop FinFest Vol 2, a live virtual concert taking place on July 16th, 2022. The concert is inviting middle and high school students to explore provided lessons on building financial skills, then furthermore apply that knowledge to write, perform and submit an original song.

The theme for the show is “Wants Are Needs Too,” a commentary on people condemning others for purchasing non-essential things

such as the newest shoes, games or whatever makes them content when in reality, desires can equally be a necessity.

“It’s talking about the way that we save and spend money. Everybody always tells you to only spend money on your needs. Not only is that not practical, but it’s not something you’re going to do. It’s important for us to know that our wants are needs too. It’s important for us to spend money on the things that matter to us as long as we have a plan and a budget for the things we buy.”

Alongside U.S. residents, The HipHop Fin Fest competition will be open to residents of Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands for the very first time. Contestants must be 12-18 years old to participate. The top three song submissions will win an abundance of prizes including cash, a Studio in a Backpack equipment set to encourage making music and future creative projects, as well as six months of financial mentorship from Pockets Change.

All submissions are due by May 31st, 2022. In order to qualify, contestants must use content from the free financial literacy lessons provided, and songs must include a minimum of 16 bars along with a chorus. A full list of rules and regulations is available at www.hiphopfinfest.com.

Uzazi Foundation brings support to schools in rural and urban areas of Jamaica PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

It has been four years now since the Uzazi Foundation has been influencing young lives. The Canadian-based charity was founded by Devon Dunn, and has been making a difference in the lives of students in rural and urban areas of Jamaica.

According to its website: uzazi.ca, the mission of the group is captured in its

name. “UZAZI” is Swahili meaning “Birth” and was conceived from a dream and a need to make a difference in the lives of children in the developing world. Having worked within school systems for decades they felt skilled and empowered enough to assess, appreciate and strategically support schools in the developing world.

I interviewed Devon, and he shared interesting details and information about the mission, vision, and values of the organization and what motivated him and his team to become involved in different projects across Jamaica. Devon was born in Jamaica where he completed his primary and continued his studies in Canada. He studied Sociology and Anthropology at Carleton University in Ottawa and through his exposure to the Jamaican community he was influenced to become involved in volunteer

work.

Although Devon comes from a privileged background, he was always aware of the needs of the disadvantaged, downtrodden, and those who were less fortunate. The website reveals that it was after researching Africa and Caribbean countries that the decision was made to start supporting Mount Hermon Primary and Infant School in St. Catherine Jamaica. “Mount Hermon was our first and their needs were amazingly achievable for us. Basic school furnishings, audio video equipment, WIFI networking equipment, science models, fencing, thousands of library books, computers, and much more.”

Devon shared with me that Uzazi has taken over a forty-year-old Canadian charity called Jamaica Self Help. According to the website:https://jhscanada.org, Jamaica Self Help was founded in 1978 by

two teachers, John and Rosemary Ganley from Peterborough, Ontario, It was created with a vision to end poverty and a mandate to support education and community development programmes. Uzazi will continue to sustain the vision of this organization.

Devon shared with me that Uzazi is currently involved with eight schools with over 15,000 students. Canada benefits in that we save furniture, and used science equipment from the landfills sustaining our environment while helping children learn and grow.

Uzazi is constantly looking for donations and volunteers and anyone interested can check: Website: https://uzazi.ca/ Facebook: @uzazifoundation Instagram: uzazifoundation

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

NEWS

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More and more Americans are refusing to be vaccinated, here’s why MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

When Americans were asked why more and more of them were refusing to take the injection, they gave some powerful reasons why that was so. Reasons I will go into as we progress into this article.

However, when Anthony Fauci said he does not understand why so many Americans are refusing to get vaccinated, maybe he forgot that what he was offering them was not a vaccine in the first place, or he did not read the reasons why that is so.

Here are some of the reasons the Americans gave.

• Reading the peer-reviewed literature that shows the vaccines kill more than they save for all age groups; over 150,000 Americans have been killed by the vaccines • From symptoms they experienced after their first jab • Seeing their friends dead or disabled after vaccination Anyone with a bit of sanity would find it hard to participate in something that unleashes sickness and death on their friends and families, and it seems that Americans are learning to question the motives of nefarious doctors, politicians, and so-called clergymen and women whose intentions are not honourable.

Canadians, how do we stack up as a people when it comes to standing up for our rights? Questioning things that do not seem right, or calling out our elected officials who we know for a fact are lying to us?

I had the misfortune of looking at a video of

passengers on a flight who were told that they could remove their masks. I could not believe the childishness of adults who broke out clapping as though it was a privilege.

This is serious mind control and conditioning.

It is common knowledge that these injection companies are exempt from giving you a penny if you are harmed, yet some folks are still letting their doctors hustle them into taking this injection. Canadians, we need to question these “Medical Hustlers” and say no. Let’s face it; it will not be your doctor suffering from a blood clot a month later - that will be you.

Here is a small example of the satanic nature of this medical fraud.

Charlene Lin, a front-liner working in Singapore, received the Pfizer vaccine in January, after which she lost feeling in her legs, and had to undergo therapy. To make matters worse, her request for financial assistance was rejected, and the doctors blamed her DNA for her side effects. This Odysee video can be viewed in the link below this article.

Let’s look at coercion, another one of the reasons Americans name as a cause for rejecting this injection. The mere fact that you have to stoop to coercion (such as “take the vaccine or you are fired”) as a tactic to get adoption of your agenda is extremely troubling.

As Canadians, we need to do some serious soul searching and reject anyone who draws this kind of line in the sand. By now, we must have noticed how two weeks have turned into two years, and one injection has turned into four. Canadians, please wake up; it is almost too late. Social credit scores and vaccine passports are tools that will be used to control your every move.

Americans by nature are more vocal than Canadians, but this is not a situation to ignore. Many of us have lost our jobs just because we have decided we will not be violated, can’t travel for the same reason, lost our friends all because we refuse to be treated like a herd of cattle by elected officials.

It is time we speak out and call out this evil whose aim is primarily to divide and conquer.

During these difficult economic times, there is no social shame, just good shopping etiquette STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Food prices have surged since 2020. It’s not your imagination. Egg prices rose by 28.9%, with beef chuck roast well over 38%, sugar by 13.5%. Milk prices have gone up by approximately 7.1% and coffee (a staple for me) a whopping 12.8% and climbing.

The grocery stores we buy from have no good news for us, just price hikes making our daily lives more difficult to bear.

We can argue whether those retail grocery chains we shop at are affected by supply chain cost increases, or because of the pandemic’s effect upon staffing levels, or that

these retailers see an opportunity and excellent excuse to increase prices and profits.

I have spoken to several different meat purveyors and assistant store managers who have told me that some items in their departments are artificially made scarce, difficult to find and therefore more expensive, or that they are given schedules that increase the price of meat just like the price of gas.

Talking about petroleum, have you seen the circus that is known as your local gas station? Like the stock market the prices usually go up, drop in the middle of the week, usually late in the day. I once saw the price in a local station change three times within two hours. Well those of us who travel for work, having been called back by our employers, have and will continue to suffer fuel costs that may increase a further 25% before the summer arrives. Between the taxes applied, and the profiteering of the industry we will all re-evaluate our summer holidays, day trips and vacations.

Those of us, who are not indepen-

dently wealthy, are being forced to return to an older tradition, one our parents and grandparents wanted to pass onto us, but we were flush with money at the time. Glad I listened.

Now, it is about planning your day.

Using coupons, seeking out sales and discounted products. Researching and planning like never before. I know where I go to shop every two weeks, and this routine is set in stone.

In Canada I visit No Frills, Food Basics followed by many Asian based retailers.

At these locations, I can get my fresh produce, green veggies and meat prices that do not require a mortgage. In the US I prefer Wegmans (like Canada’s Metro) and we visit many local meat and grocery purveyors. You can talk to them; ask for specific items and when the prices may reflect your budgets.

Relationships count especially these days of austerity.

Opt for store brands, which are usually 25-33% cheaper than national brand products. Also, have you noticed that na-

tional brand products charge you the same or more for products that are lighter, thinner and often missing ingredients?

Look for inflationary proof foods like macaroni and spaghetti, white flour, local cheeses, local pastries, and frozen foods.

Are fresh veggies getting too costly? Go to the frozen food section and purchase in bulk bags of veggies, meats and other produce that only need to be unfrozen and cooked.

These are often less costly than fresh products.

When the summer arrives, may I suggest you go to your local farmers, and start developing a relationship with them.

You can get your fresh products right out of the pen or fields. Get to know your food intimately by perhaps picking it. Fresh veggies and fruits abound; you will just need to look for them. Local is always better when available.

There is no shame using coupons, or seeking out discounted products. No social shame, just good shopping etiquette.

Happy shopping.

Ford government is being called out for inadequate investment in publicly funded education PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Education unions over the past four years have expressed concerns about the chronic funding of public education. On the eve of the anticipated budget, they held a press conference at the Media Studio in the Legislative Building at Queen’s Park, Toronto.

They released a joint release titled, “Ford Government Threatens Student Success and Well-Being with Underfunding Education Budget.” The unions represented include the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontarients (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’

Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO).

They are calling attention to the Ford government’s inadequate investment in publicly funded education and demanding real action to support students. In background materials released by ETFO before the provincial budget, it was revealed that in March 2022, the inflation rate was 6.7% and that Grants for Student Needs (GSN), which make up the majority of funding in the education budget grew by only 2.7%, which translates into a reduction of $1 billion when inflation and projected student enrolment are taken into consideration.

The backgrounder notes, “If education funding fails to keep up with rising costs, school boards will have no choice but to make cuts, meaning fewer teachers and education workers, less individual attention for students, and fewer programs and resources.

The loss of educational assistants, child and youth workers, speech and language pathologists, and other specialized positions will disproportionately impact Ontario’s most vulnerable students.”

In light of the potential underfunding by the provincial government, AEFO president Anne Vinet-Roy stated in the joint release, “Students need an education budget that prioritizes their mental health, wellbeing, and academic success and delivers a robust and well-funded learning recovery plan.”

ETFO is particularly concerned about the misleading words that the government has used to share its budget plans.

President Karen Burke stated, “The Ford government calls its education plan a historic investment, but it is nothing more than a shell game - a thinly veiled deception that merely puts back some of the previous cuts, fails to address inflation, and prioritizes electioneering at the expense of student success. The Ford government’s true intent, to cut $13.2 billion from school boards over the next nine years, as projected by the Financial Accountability Office. It will have a devastating impact on students and publicly funded education.”

The unions call on the government to ensure the following is done: • End the reckless cuts and the plan to cut $12.3 billion from education over the next nine years • Support a robust, multi-year learning recovery plan, including a commitment to smaller class sizes, so that all students get the focused individual attention from teachers and education workers that they deserve • Expand school-based mental health resources, supports, and services, to achieve equitable outcomes and meet the diverse needs of students and educators, including those needed for successful secondary curriculum de-streaming • Address the $17 billion repair backlog and outstanding safety concerns in schools, such as crumbling infrastructure and poor ventilation.

The education unions have all right to be concerned about the potential actions of the provincial government.

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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Research findings show an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular-related death occurring at nighttime W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES TC HEALTH REPORTER

John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John sang about romance in “Summer Nights,” the opening song in the hit movie, Grease.

But now, at 68, he, more so than she, may want to watch out for a different kind of summer heat. New research shows that warm summer nights increase the risk of heart-related death among men in their 60’s.

The study involved analysis of 39,912 deaths due to cardiovascular disease in England and Wales between 2001 and 2015. After controlling for other factors, a rise of 1° Celsius (1.8° Fahrenheit) in summer nighttime temperature was

associated with a 3.1% increase in the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease among men aged 60 to 64 years.

Replicating research results helps validate findings, and so a similar analysis was undertaken in a county within Washington State in the U.S. Here too, an increase of one degree in night time temperature resulted in a 4.8% increase in risk of heart-related death among men ages 60 to 64 years, although not older men above 65 years.

The research findings are concerning because they show an increase over recent years in the incidence of cardiovascular-related death occurring at nighttime rather than during daytime summer temperatures.

The details behind the study tell an interesting story. Why even think to study nighttime heat in mid-latitude settings? Is it not the soaring daytime heat in places known for scorching sun that deserve attention?

Haris Majeed, a PhD student with the Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, at the University of

Toronto, is the study’s lead researcher.

His motivation was both academic and personal. As an early-career academic, he was pouring through his textbook readings, when he noted that although heart attacks occur at any time of day, most take place in the early morning hours while people are still in bed. Over the course of the year, the warmest months of June and July contain the highest rates of death from cardiovascular disease.

Majeed looked at places like Wales and Washington State because these places have strong seasonality. In effect, people in these places need to cope both with cold winters and hot summers.

In these regions, too, many residents may not have air conditioning.

Why would men face a higher risk of heart attack with an increase in nighttime temperatures, and not women? Majeed speculates it might be due to men being more exposed to daytime heat, sweating more, and becoming dehydrated. This can lead to lower blood volume and increase the risk of blood clotting.

On the personal side, Majeed’s fa-

ther recently underwent a bypass surgery and remains at high risk for health trouble when air temperatures go up. Contributing to the body of science that will help his father is a motivator like little else.

Majeed will need to do more work to test his theories.

In the meantime, as the northern hemisphere heads into the summer season, it would be prudent for people with cardiovascular concerns to take simple precautions. Keep well hydrated. Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day. Cool down with a quick cold shower before bed, and use a fan during the night when the heat is oppressive.

Going to sleep on a hot summer’s night should not be the most dangerous thing one does. But this research is highlighting two firm facts. One, cardiovascular disease is continuing to hold its place as a major killer, and two, air temperatures matter to human health.

Bottom line: keep cool when things heat up, especially at night.

You may not be making appropriate health decisions; how health literate are you?

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

There was a time when the doctor-patient relationship and practicing high-quality medicine were once cherished principles of our healthcare system, but in recent years, a new guiding principle has been made clear to the doctors, nurses, and others who care for patients: health care is a forprofit enterprise. The healthcare industry is now linked with larger corporations that have their own written rules. They spend millions on massive marketing campaigns that sell the public on their commitment to patient care, but it was made clear during this pandemic that the main priority is their bottom line.

There was a study done that reviewed disciplinary threats made to healthcare professionals by their governing bodies in the US. The researchers wanted to bring attention to the populace, healthcare workers, and healthcare administrators that illegal and unconstitutional gag orders have been placed on all healthcare workers in the US, and that has left me thinking, what are they not allowed to talk about, and how does this affect the people they are supposed to serve.

The American Board of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (ABOG) and other authoritative bodies regulating healthcare workers issued inappropriate gag orders on their constituents. Could this have something to do with the adverse effects that have been reported by pregnant women after taking the COVID-19 vaccine? There have been reputable sources of data, and medical literature that speaks to the DANGER of COVID-19 vaccines, especially during pregnancy and in women of reproductive age.

It is why I want to speak to the top-

ic of health literacy. Health literacy is the level to which a person can obtain, process, and understand essential health services and information needed to make necessary health decisions. For most of us, we blindly listen to our doctors, and for good reason; they are the experts. They went to school for that, so who are you to question them right? The problem with that theory is that if you are unable to understand medical terminology, you are at risk of not making the appropriate health decisions, which can have severe consequences.

Several things can negatively impact one’s health literacy: lack of educational opportunities, disabilities, cognitive declines, language barriers, and economic factors. Right now, there are a few populations at greater risk for limited literacy, including seniors, immigrants, minorities, and low-income communities.

A person’s inability to read or write can also affect their overall lifestyle, including income level, housing, education, and occupation. A patient suffering from illiteracy or income inequality has a higher chance

of being exposed to unsafe conditions and environments, thus impacting their health knowledge, status, and access to services.

I want to make this very clear; it is a healthcare professionals responsibility to help patients understand their medical issues and care options, and this includes informed consent, something that was exempt throughout this COVID-19 experience.

When mass fear and anxiety are commonplace, such as during the pandemic, physicians can become so focused on combating the disease that they forget the individual patient’s experience.

They must remember that patients are individuals and not just the diagnoses that they may receive. Focused empathy is necessary when treating patients with COVID-19; this will help to enhance the doctor-patient relationship. Your responsibility; get second and third opinions on any diagnosis you have, and be clear about what you are putting in your body, and how it could adversely affect you in the future.

Seeking the truth is a dangerous thing to do!

Exploring the death of journalists around the world STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

In 2021, our world suffered the deaths of 55 journalists. These men and women were murdered while they carried out their profoundly important profession, seeking the truth wherever it may be found, and at a cost to their families and their lives.

During the last week of February 2022 two journalists were murdered in Mexico, with several of their compatriots murdered in 2022. The seeking of the truth

has been a dangerous thing to do historically, and the enemies of truth, honesty and justice seem to be prevailing in their efforts to distort, manipulate or hide the reality of our world. At least fourteen journalists have died since the Russian-Ukrainian War began.

We all know that a healthy, professional news media is essential for the proper functioning of civil society and democracy at the local, regional, federal and international levels. In fact UNESCO has declared World Press Freedom Day as an annual observance on May 3rd. The media usually is challenged by many factors, one of which is that they are a business that needs to make a profit.

Communities across Canada have lost more than 250 established news outlets due to closings or mergers between 2008 and 2022. The pressure of survival within this medium continues to grow,

eliminating many historically important local newspapers, or replacing them as satellite divisions of greater corporations that dictate their message.

Many nations’ media outlets are state controlled and operated as propaganda tools, issuing state approved information to their populations. The truth or reality of these nations are often manipulated or hidden. The needs of the state often supersede those of their population.

Many nations recognize the need to protect our free media. Canada’s federal government acknowledged in its 2019 budget that “A strong and independent news media is crucial to a well-functioning democracy,” and many governments both local and state attempt to protect these precious institutions. In Canada, at least 29 municipalities – home to roughly 13 million people in nine provinces across Canada – have passed motions voicing support for

journalism in aid of democracy.

In 2022 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported that 65 journalists were killed: 50 professional journalists, seven citizen reporters and eight media workers while doing their jobs. They were hunted down by: corrupt politicians, the drug cartels, military death squads and criminals.

1,035 professional journalists have been killed in the past 15 years.

Journalism is not what Rebecca West claimed it to be “That journalism is the ability to meet the challenge of filling space,” but rather “When students/citizens learn to make sense of their world, they become the people who will transform it” (John Spencer).

Journalists are agents of social and political change, social mavericks, or the very roots of democracy.

NEWS

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 15

Briggy Benz: A living testament EUGENE PITTER eugene@carib101.com

ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER

JAMAICA -- For thousands of Jamaicans, the annual Boys and Girls Athletic Championship is more than a meal deal; it’s the opportunity to lift that trophy and grace the front page of tabloids in the Caribbean.

For Kingston College, who has lifted that trophy 33 times, just wearing the school’s purple and white tie is a symbol of greatness.

On April 9th, 2022, KC ( short for Kingston College) was in a jubilant mood having won another championship. Guess who was cheering - no other than KC old

boy Raymond Grant, a deejay who goes by the name Briggy Benz.

“KC is dear to me, even though I only spent the first three years of my secondary education there; the rest at Camperdown High School.

I can never ever forget the first day I stepped from my home in McIntyre Villa, Kingston, wearing that purple and white KC tie; this was one of my happiest days. I could literally feel those eyes staring at me, and, when the words ‘ there goes a KC boy’ popped from a toothless elderly man; I almost lost my manners with a faint, ‘thank you sir.”

The envy of many schools and the passion for excellence made KC among the best in competitions, including TVJ’s School’s Challenge Quiz.

Briggy Benz was born from the Grant’s family tree, known for their achievements in different spheres of life.

“I had uncles, aunts and cousins who occupied managerial positions, including in the financial industry (banking).

They always told me the importance of performing at my peak in tests throughout school.”

The Common Entrance Examination ( now GSAT.) is the test, which places students in schools across the island, and for Briggy Benz to secure a place at KC, he would have to acquire at least a 90-plus average.

“I remember the day my name appeared in the newspaper. The results would have come to the schools a day before, but teachers would not make the announcement until the following day.”

“Boy! Where were you?” asked my form teacher trying to hide the excitement which was about to be unleashed.

Briggy Benz graduated from school with good grades, but music was his heartbeat.

“I would find myself meeting established artists like Spragga Benz and Baby Cham. He (Spragga) is one of my greatest supporters. He has been my role model since my school days. As an uncle,

he was quick to steer me away from trouble. When I am dealing with serious problems I can call on him anytime and he will sit with me to show me the tunnel leading to the light.”

Briggy Benz migrated to the US to join his mother in 2005 after completing his first song “A Nuh Yuh Dat” (2004).

His second being “Shake Up Yuh Glass,” a combination with Greg Hinds.

“Fourteen years later (2018) I was on Sumfest stage with Spragga Benz.”

Now, what could turn out to be the moment of all moments is “Living Testament,” a collaboration with Peter Cole aka Bittah Sosicka.

“This is a song of all seasons, rich in culture, a true-to-life experience representing the trials, tribulations leading to a Second Chance.” Briggy Benz adds.

The song, a soundtrack in the movie Second Chance, got a standing ovation during its premiere and is playing to sold-out houses in the US.

BLACK E.S.T.E.E.M addresses the underrepresentation of Black girls in the STEM field PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

It was on June 24th, 2020, that the City of Mississauga’s Council unanimously passed Resolution 207 to establish a Black Caucus that would examine issues of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. The caucus, which was made up of community members was tasked with serving as an advisory body.

According to the city’s website: www.mississauga.ca, through a series of consultations with the Black communities it was intended to generate greater insights into their lived experiences, challenges and opportunities to create a more inclusive and accessible city.

An article by Isacc Collan on March 30th, 2021, in The Pointer, raised questions about the makeup of the Black Caucus.

Prominent social justice advocate, Kola Illuyomade, the founder of Advocacy Peel told The Pointer, “The mayor doesn’t want to disrupt. There are people who are not residents of Mississauga on it, which tells you that’s rubbish.”

Furthermore, the article asserts that Mississauga’s Mayor Bonnie Crombie, Ms.Sara Almardanie, senior advisor, and stakeholders hand-picked the members of the Black Caucus. In addition, the role of the Black Caucus is ambiguous, because although it is not officially a committee and is not a function of council, the mayor’s office has ultimate authority over who can sit around the table.

The article notes that there was no release of the minutes publicly, and residents were not able to access its meetings.

A city of Mississauga spokesperson told The Pointer, “Conversations are confidential in order to freely discuss items. Outcomes and recommendations will be presented to Council as part of the report back process on Motion 207.”

On Thursday, April 14th, 2022, the report was released during a virtual press conference with Mayor Crombie. The 62page report was the culmination of six com-

munity consultations from May 6th, 2021, to June 29th, 2021, and feedback from 900 community members, experts, and city staff.

Mayor Crombie states, “Mississauga, I truly believe we are now in the position to make meaningful and lasting change when it comes to addressing anti-Black racism and ensuring equity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.” She continues, “These consultations were the first time the city had dedicated time and resources to have a meaningful dialogue on the steps we needed to take to ensure Black community members have more of a say in the decision-making process here at City Hall, and I admit, it was long overdue.”

Linden King, Chair of the Black Caucus writes, “Decades of systemic discrimination and practices, our policing, justice, health care, and child care systems are now at the forefront. Moreover, the struggle for equality within institutions remains a constant struggle.”

Claudia McKoy, Principal of UpSugence, served as a consultant and analysed the feedback from community members, experts, and city staff to come up with the recommendations. They are categorized in

these two areas: • Political engagement and inclusion • Health and well Some of the specific recommendations are listed below: • Working with the Black Caucus to establish a Black Community Alliance as an independent organization • Reviewing the recommendations as they relate to each division and beginning to take actions where possible • Reporting back to Council with updates on the implementation of the recommendations With respect to policing some of the recommendations include: • Black representation on the Peel Regional Police Service Board • More transparency regarding AI and new technologies in policing • Amendments to the provincial legislation to allow additional first responders to respond to a mental health crisis.

Anyone can access and read the full report at: www.mayorcrombie.ca/bce-report

Life in Canada is not as advertised; a look at immigration insecurity in Canada OMNIYA ALI

amniya@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Canada opened its doors to immigration in 1869. Although back then highly discriminated through race, ethnicity, and national origin, it has evolved over the years towards a more multicultural approach. 153 years later how much has the immigrant experience improved?

According to a new national survey conducted by Leger on behalf of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), 20% of young immigrants plan on leaving in the next two years. The findings produced from this survey-shed light upon issues only immigrants are aware of, as it appears.

“Canada is a nation of immigrants, and one of the stories we tell ourselves is that we are welcoming to new immigrants, wherever they may be from,” says ICC CEO Daniel Bernhard. “But while this may be generally true, new survey data points to the fact that many new Canadians are having a crisis of confidence in Canada and that should be ringing alarm bells all over Ottawa.”

Survey findings include: • 30% of 18-34-year-old new Canadians and 23% of university-educated new Canadians say they are likely to move to another country in the next two years • While most Canadians and new immigrant Canadians alike believe that Canada provides immigrants with a good quality of life, Canadians have a much more positive outlook on Canada’s immigration policy compared to new Canadian immigrants • New Canadian immigrants are more likely to believe that Canadians don’t understand the challenges that immigrants face and feel the rising cost of

•

•

living will make immigrants less likely to stay in Canada Immigrants with university degrees tend to have less favourable opinions on matters related to fair job opportunity and pay than other immigrants Among those who would not recommend Canada as a place to live, current leadership and the high cost of living were the top two reasons

Bernhard proceeds to explain that one of the largest factors driving people away is that the hardships attached to settling in as an immigrant are not accurately advertised.

“We need to do a better job pre-arrival of telling people what they’re going to need to do to qualify to work in the job market here. We need to give them a clearer picture of what to expect so they can prepare for it and adjust.”

Anyone that has immigrated to Canada can tell you that life here has always been advertised as simpler than back home. They move here with the expectation that they’ll have a more stable life. They’re

promised jobs better than the ones they had, better incomes, better social lives and so on. Bernhard explains that the screening process for immigration to Canada is inflexible and demanding, subsequently the ones that make it through are brilliant individuals.

They are doctors, engineers, accountants, lawyers, software developers; they’re very successful, which is a requirement for them to immigrate to Canada. So, if their applications get accepted, and they’re promised jobs and a better life, why don’t they receive them? Why are they not accounted for when looking at the job market?

Bernhard believes that these individuals are integral to our society and the government needs to see what they’re missing by not meeting their needs. “Talent and knowledge are the big commodities of economic advantage today and employers leave that stuff on the side-line to their peril.

I think we need to start pointing out to employers what they’re missing because it’s a huge disadvantage.”

PAGE 16

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Class of 2022 welcomes celebs too, La La speaks out on her divorce a year later, The Wendy Williams Show might make a comeback, and Netflix and chill, anyone?

JANIECE CAMPBELL janiece@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Angela Bassett, Taraji P. Henson and Ludacris receive honorary degrees!

Graduation season is upon us, and that counts for a handful of celebrities too.

Actress Angela Bassett announced via Instagram that she received an honorary doctorate from Old Dominion University in Virginia after delivering a keynote speech to the class of 2022.

“I’m so happy and humbled to receive an honorary doctorate,” she wrote in an Instagram caption. “Education is truly KEY! #stillmakingmommaproud.”

This is not the first time she’s been bestowed with an honorary degree. In December 2020, she received a doctorate from Morehouse College in Atlanta to honour her leadership in Hollywood, as well as she received another doctorate in 2018 from her alma mater, Yale University.

Actress Taraji P. Henson returned to her alma mater, Howard University in Washington D.C., as the commencement speaker.

Moments before her speech, she was presented with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. “Find your bigger picture, bet on yourself, and let your peers’ success be your fuel, not your distraction,” she said to

the graduating class.

Atlanta rapper Ludacris returned to his alma mater, Georgia State University and received some southern hospitality. He was presented with an honorary degree in Bachelor of Science in Music Management.

After attending the college for a few years in the mid-90’s, he dropped out to sign a deal with Def Jam Records. With all the success that came soon after, he was clear to let the 800-person graduating class know that his heart never left the campus and getting a record deal was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

La La breaks her silence on divorce from Carmelo Anthony!

La La Anthony sat down with radio personality Charlamagne Tha God to discuss her divorce from NBA star, Carmelo Anthony.

In an interview for Hollywood Reporter’s series entitled Emerging Hollywood, she was outspoken about the difficult choices made in the midst of her filing for divorce in June 2021. Prior to that, the couple had been married for 11 years.

“Stepping away from that marriage was such an incredibly hard decision for me,” she said. “Staying is easier. Walking away is harder.”

She mentioned that it was also easier to stay for the sake of the son they share together, Kiyan Anthony. Despite not being with Carmelo, she mentions that co-parenting with Melo has been “amazing” and that her goal is to not have their 15-year-old son harbour dysfunctional relationships.

“We want to be a great example to our son. We have open conversations with him. We tell him, ‘You were made from love.’

Award-winning spoken word artist Dwayne Morgan receives the celebration of culture life award PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

It is hard to believe that it has been almost thirty years now since Dwayne Morgan, writer, speaker, performer, educator, event producer, and social entrepreneur has been dazzling Toronto audiences. From the early years when he performed at Founders College at York University to his performances all over North America, the Caribbean, and Europe he continues to leave the audience spell-bound.

The Scarborough-born multidisciplinary artist who was inducted into the Scarborough Walk of Fame in 2013 for his outstanding work as a writer, speaker, and producer has left an indelible mark all over the world. From those humble beginnings in 1993, he started his own production company Up From The Roots while he was still in high school. He has gone on to produce and organize numerous events over the years. His annual When Brothers Speak and When Sisters Speak are the longest spoken word events of their kind in North America, and the Toronto International Poetry Slam is Canada’s largest international poetry Slam competition.

As a writer, he has written nine titles with his last one titled, “Everyday Excellence.” He is a motivational speaker who

speaks to youth across the Greater Toronto Area on contemporary issues that are relevant to their lived social realities. As a social critic of the media, he constantly challenges stereotypes and misrepresentations of Blackness in mainstream media. One of the greatest accomplishments of his artistic journey was when he opened for former President of the United States, Barack Obama on January 23rd, 2020.

Among his numerous awards, accolades, and recognitions over the years, one that will definitely stand out is the Celebration of Cultural Life Award from the Toronto Arts Foundation. Dwayne made this announcement on The Official Dwayne Morgan FaceBook page that he won $10,000 for this award. In his acceptance speech, he recalled how he started 29 years ago and that many doors were closed in his face. He recalls, “I was told that what I did wasn’t real poetry, that there was no audience for the way that I wrote and the stories that I was telling. I learned quickly, that sometimes the door that opportunity knocks on, has to be built by yourself.”

He goes on further to describe what he had to do to ensure that his artistic expression received total validation. He writes, “I wanted no one else who looked like me to feel the same rejection and marginalization that I felt, so I’ve spent my entire career creating opportunities for my peers and those who come after me.” He concludes, “Today, I graciously accept this award on behalf of all those artists who never quit despite others not seeing their light to all of those who’ve shared my stages, worked with me, pushed me, supported me, and validated me.”

We’re still a family, and we do things together. We go to his games together. We try to keep it as normal as possible.”

Could The Wendy Williams Show be coming back this fall?

After several months of worry and speculation, it seems that Wendy Williams may be feeling like her old self again. She has begun making public appearances again and there have been discussions about her potentially returning to television.

Wendy’s self-titled talk show aired in 2008, but it sadly came to an end in 2022 after Williams was forced to take a break due to a series of health issues. It was later revealed that the show would be cancelled, and that former The View host Sherri Shepherd would take over the timeslot with her own talk show.

In an interview with rapper Fat Joe, she mentions how she misses being on her show but she’s glad for the opportunity to talk about coming back. Wendy appears to imply that the show isn’t gone for good.

When asked if she meant an entirely new series or if there were plans for her to come back to her old show, she didn’t hesitate. “I’m coming to The Wendy Williams Show,” she said firmly. “Absolutely. Absolutely.”

Wendy also stated that she will not be tuning into Sherri’s show.

“I won’t be watching her because I know what she’ll be doing and that’s not really my thing … you know what I’m saying?” she replied, quickly turning the focus back to her own plans for the future. “But I love, I love being on my own show. And I love that people love to watch it, you know, all the time.”

Sherri responded to Wendy’s com-

ment via Instagram Live, ensuring that she is understanding of Wendy not wanting to watch her show. “She’s not well,” Sherri said.

“There’s just a lot going on in Wendy’s life.

All I can do over here and pray.”

What’s on TV? Upcoming shows that should be added to your list!

Feeling like you’ve watched everything on TV? Well, there are quite a few shows and movies coming soon to your big screen that you should tap into!

•

•

•

•

Savage Beauty (premieres May 12) is a South-African drama serious about a revenge-seeking mysterious woman who embeds herself in a powerful family who possess a global beauty empire and carries dark secrets.

Bling Empire Season 2 (premieres May 13) is a reality series that follows the lives Los Angeles’ wildly wealthy East Asian and East Asian-American socialites as they go all out with fabulous parties, envious glamour, and endless drama.

The Lincoln Lawyer (premieres May 13) is a crime-based drama series about a hotshot LA defense attorney who runs his law practice out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car. The television series is adapted from the 2005 novel of the same name by Michael Connelly.

Love, Death & Robots: Volume 3 (premieres May 20) is an adult animated anthology series. This five-time Emmy winning show includes tales that explore alternate histories, terrifying creatures, and wicked surprises through a dark comedic lens.

Rent Relief is Here If you are a Toronto resident and are behind on your rent, or need help with your first and last month's rent for a more affordable or suitable residence, you may be eligible to receive a Toronto Rent Bank grant.

You may be eligible for a Toronto Rent Bank grant if: • • • •

you are living in Toronto you are within low income guidelines and not receiving social assistance* you are paying market rent you meet all other program requirements

*Social assistance recipients can contact their Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) office to ask about the Housing Stabilization Fund.

For more information, go to toronto.ca/rentbank

PAGE 18

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022 Photo Credit: LuvBay Afrobeat Music and Talk Radio

LuvBay Afrobeat Music Talk Radio SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“It is about who we are as a people.”

Theo Yaw Boakye (Founder & CEO of LuvBay Afrobeat Music Talk Radio) We can remember the pride we felt when G98.7 FM began to serve the Black communities around the Greater Toronto Area.

I am sure many of us felt disappointment when a couple years ago, it was handed off to the highest bidder following a courtordered receivership.

As you may already know, the station’s financial troubles came to light after the death of its Founder and President Fitzroy Gordon, and a call was later put out for interested individuals and companies to submit a bid.

Members of the Black community and allies in Ontario drummed up support, because they were determined to keep the station in the community, and for good reason.

Radio stations that target African Diaspora listeners (“Black radio”) reach national audiences daily, making Black radio an ideal medium for health promotion and disparities reduction in the African-Caribbean community. Black radio can be used to communicate public health messages and to let us know about issues that affect us directly.

It has the ability to reach a broad cross-section of the Black community (youths, the elderly, women, men, young adults, and all income groups). The “Black community” in the context of radio encompasses a globally diverse group, including African Americans, Haitians, Africans, and Caribbeans.

It is why I was super excited to hear about an online radio station that has done its part to fill gaps in the online radio space.

Call-in shows and personal on-air interviews are formats unique to radio that can be effective for promoting social learning, whereby people reciprocally learn from each other. Messages on these types of shows can be tailored to target audiences and designed to contain interactive elements customized to local community concerns. Online radio provides a forum for two-way communication via live radio shows, during which listeners can engage messengers and each other to obtain valuable information.

Is it different from frequency radio? Yes, but it has a thrill of its own; it creates a connection between witty and funny

people to whom the listeners can relate to.

It has the ability to inspire listeners and create a lasting impact on them.

Research done by Edison about online radio consumption in 2019, examined that the most popular times when people heard podcasts and internet talk radio shows was when people were involved in other tasks. They are an excellent way of catching up with the news.

“For a businessperson, if you don’t have any creativity, what is going to happen one day, is that whatever you do will become obsolete” Daniel Lamarre (CEO, Cirque du Soleil) The pandemic was good for one thing; it seemed to revive the human spirit. My Business Feature this week focuses on a man who has created something that has impacted the continued existence of a medium that we thought was lost to the African-Caribbean community. Inspirational creations like LuvBay Afrobeat Music Talk Radio have happened frequently enough throughout history, and we know now that it takes the right combination of people and resources to pull it off.

Despite the horribleness that was brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic, Theo Yaw Boakye (Founder & CEO of LuvBay Afrobeat Music Talk Radio) demonstrated that complaining doesn’t solve problems, finding solutions to the problems solve them.

Theo Yaw Boakye is a Ghanaian musician based out of Toronto, Ontario Canada. He was the lead vocalist in a group called Nakupenda, that was notarized for their performances at the very first AfroFest in 1989. Nakupenda also appeared in the Caribana parade, toured the UK, U.S., and Africa. During their time together, Nakupenda were able to record seven albums, but eventually disbanded.

In 1994, Theo released an album “Swinging Safari,” and has experienced great popularity in his native home of Ghana. This charismatic percussionist and vocalist was a member of the collaborative African Guitar Summit that won the prestigious 2005 Juno Award in Canada.

I had the awesome opportunity to sit down with Theo Yaw Boakye, and he shared with me the story of how he found a way to focus on a solution.

“It started in 2019,” Theo began, “After we won the Juno. A friend took my CD to a radio station. When he went to the radio station, the person said he was going to play it, but he noticed that the person dumped the CD, as soon as he turned his back.”

His friend didn’t tell him for a few years, but Theo didn’t get mad, because unfortunately, he knew the deal.

“I said to myself, enough is enough! I am going to find another way to display our greatness,” Theo tells me. “We

need a way to express ourselves through a medium. We are not all about music, we are not just athletes, we are intellects as well.

“It was scary preparing for the first show.” Theo continues. “I didn’t have a background in radio. Prior to that, I was doing a mental health segment on a radio station, and I had brought the idea to them, but our projects did not align.

My first time doing the show the whole thing crashed. I knew that I would need some help establishing the station.

Radio solutions were instrumental in my training and getting prepared for launching this.

After I did a couple of shows, some of the radio companies in France and the UK wanted me to establish a space on their platforms, but I stayed with the Canadian platform.

Right now I can do anything with the radio station. We have 10 programs on the radio station. My intention is to make it an Afro Woman’s Centred Station. It is our time to tell our stories as a people. I want to introduce more programs that will bring the community together.

They currently have 20 volunteers that host different programs including: • The Blue Sky Show • Voices of the Millennial • Highway 6 to Africa • Gospel Sunday Theo told me that they are very excited to be introducing new shows; something for listeners to stay tuned for: They include: • Indigenous programming • The Caribbean Day • Legends of African Music • Legends of Caribbean Music • Let’s have a Conversation • Couch Conversations The radio has found many ways to give back to the community.

“Every Saturday on the Caribbean Flavour, we reach out to the Caribbean businesses in the community. We bring them on and have them tell us about their business. We also have a Dress for Success Youth Summit coming up on July 23rd, 2022, and we most recently launched Apps on Google Play Store and Apple.

There is always a great mix of content on the station; we keep it versatile, a treat for the entire family.

LuvBay Afrobeat Music Talk Radio is about bringing out the very best in us as Africans living on the continent and in the Diaspora.”

You can become part of the LuvBay Afrobeat Music Talk Radio Show by visiting their website (https://luvbay-afrobeatmusiradio.com/), and sharing the station with African communities all over the globe.

Guy To Guy Support Community & Men's Health Education Improved Health Outcomes Men's Health Advocacy

Honorary Chair: Roy G Williams

For Men's Health and Prostate Cancer Awareness

Former Educator & Past President of The Jamaican Canadian Association

ETOBICOKE CREEK TRAIL BRAMPTON (10KM): 30 LOAFERS LAKE LANE (SANDALWOOD PKWY. & CONESTOGA DR.

Saturday June 4, 2022 Registration: 8:30 AM Walk commences at 9:00 AM 416-568-7442 | 905-799-2759 For more information & to donate online visit:

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PAGE 20

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

LINCOLN HAGGART-IVES Vaughan’s violin virtuoso

“I feel like such a regular kid. I go to school, come home to do homework, practice, maybe play some video games, and then go to bed. But the things I’m doing clearly aren’t normal, because not many people have the opportunity that I’ve had. I can’t believe the opportunities that I have had and I’m so grateful for them.”

Lincoln Haggart-Ives Ranked by CBC as one of the top 30 under 30 classical musicians of 2021, he is already leaving his mark in the world of classical music. At only 15 years old, this edition’s Classic Man is living proof that the right amount of dedication and talent can take you anywhere.

Lincoln Haggart-Ives hails from Vaughan, Ontario. The teen violinist began playing the instrument a month shy of his fourth birthday. Originally introduced to both the cello and the violin, he leaned towards the vibrant shrill of the latter. His musical dexterity can be attributed to his parents, who also played a range of instruments when they were his age, such as piano, violin and bass guitar.

“We always loved music, it was always a big part of our lives,” says Lincoln’s mother, Maria Haggart.

Lincoln was exposed to a wide array of activities, as his parents believed in creating an environment that allows him to try as many things as possible. He participated in soccer, basketball, swimming, as well as playing piano, trumpet and recorder throughout his younger years. Though he took a liking to many of these hobbies, it was the violin that ultimately stood out. Lincoln

says that his love for music leaves him with an overwhelming combination of feelings.

“I feel a mix of emotions when I’m playing music. When I’m performing for people, I enjoy it because I have the sense of making other people feel good, which makes me feel good. I know that they enjoy and appreciate hearing me play, and that makes me feel a sense of warmth and accomplishment. I can also relate to the music as well. During slow passages, I feel more calm and less hyped. When the tempo goes fast, I’m filled with energy and excitement,” he says.

No stranger to the big stage, Lincoln has played at several acclaimed venues and has received several awards, including a Rising Star Award from a program through the prestigious Toronto Symphony Orchestra. To name a few, he has graced the stages of the Royal Conservatory of Music, the SweetWater Music Festival, and the Mississauga Symphony Youth Orchestra. Most recently, Lincoln made his debut as a soloist at Roy Thompson Hall, an experience he says was both slightly nerve-wracking and simultaneously surreal.

In 2020, Lincoln received the opportunity of a lifetime at age 13 to perform at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City, winning a competition that attracted applicants from all over the United States and over 50 other countries. Due to the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, that dream was cut short. However, as the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens.

Lincoln was soon given the chance to

have a private session with Alexander Shelley, the world-class music director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra as well as lessons with their concertmaster, Yosuke Kawasaki. Later that year, he also starred in and played for “A New Path Forward,” a heartfelt public service announcement by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Lincoln’s musical inspirations include the great composers, Mozart and Beethoven, but he is constantly motivated by Shaku-Kanneh Mason, an award-winning Black cellist. As one of the few Black persons among a predominantly East Asian and White demographic, Lincoln hopes that his participation in the classical music genre will influence and invite others to be a part of it too.

“I would like to see more people of colour in the classical community. I would like to see more diversity, and not only Black people but also South Asian and Hispanic people too.

In my orchestra, I’m the only Black kid out of 50 others. When I played for Toronto Symphony Orchestra, I was the only, Brown-skinned person playing on stage. One of the main reasons why I play the violin is because I want young Black children and children of colour to look up to me and aspire to be like me,” says Lincoln.

Aside from a few upcoming minor recitals, Lincoln is looking forward to his solo performance at the Mayor’s Gala in Vaughan on June 1st.

Outside of music, he’s particularly interested in the world of science.

With a love for animals, nature, and space, he is captivated by the myster-

ies of the universe. Lincoln’s mother, believing in him every step of the way, shares her wishes for her son’s impending career.

“I see him wherever he wants to be, I’m leaving it up to him. I’ve told him that if he doesn’t want to pursue the violin, he doesn’t have to. He’s a gifted kid and he does really well in school.

If he wanted to pursue engineering or astronomy in university, that’s fine as well. Personally, I would love to see him as a soloist, because I really think that he’s got the potential to do it and I think that he is one in a million. I would love to see him on the world stage. That would just make my heart smile.”

Speaking on what the future holds for him, Lincoln says that the sky is the limit.

“I don’t know what I have planned for the future. I want to go into astronomy, but I also want to be a soloist, concert master of an orchestra or a composer. For now, I’m going to be trying to make as many people as I can happy by playing my violin and sharing my talent with others. I’m going with the flow and letting the path take me Photo Credit: Sanj P Photography wherever.”

Written by Janiece Campbell Toronto Caribbean News

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Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

HEALTH

A little nostalgia goes a long way

W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES COMMON SENSE HEALTH

Tracing the medical history of nostalgia involves a sharp U-turn. Centuries ago, it was considered a psychopathological disorder. Still today, nostalgia can be associated with negative feelings and sadness, but researchers are reaching new conclusions about the health benefits of wistful affection for the past.

We recently witnessed the medicinal effects first-hand on a special family trip. A full seventy years later, we returned to the majestic Manoir Richelieu, a historic hotel northeast of Quebec City on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. As the former hotel doctor-in-residence, and the accompanying story-seeking family, we were treated to a wonderful walk down memory lane.

It was hard not to notice the

spring in our steps, the smiles, and the upbeat mood.

Nostalgia comes from the Greek root “nostos” meaning “home” and “algos” meaning “pain”. Distinct from “homesickness,” which strikes when far from home and justifiably induces sadness, loneliness, and other depressing feelings, nostalgia can swing either way. One can be sad to recall “the good ole days,” or nostalgia can stimulate reward pathways in our brains.

Many studies have demonstrated the way memories make us feel good.

A study published in Psychological Science found that nostalgia boosts perceptions of social support and that highly resilient people use nostalgia as a tool to beat back loneliness.

Another study published in the journal Appetite examined how nostalgia influences attitudes about food. Experiments showed that people consumed more and reported more favourable attitudes towards healthy food when feeling nostalgic. Nostalgia also diminished the consumption of unhealthy food.

Another interesting study linked nostalgia to creativity. Two groups of students were invited to write for five minutes. One group was instructed to think about an ordinary experience, while the other was asked to think about something nostalgic.

The latter group produced far more creative writing.

Organizational effectiveness gurus took note. A report in the Harvard Business Review recommended employers use nostalgia to make workers feel socially supported, energized, and confident, noting how this leads to more workplace creativity.

But watch the pocketbook, because other research points to the effect of nostalgia as a trigger for charitable giving, built on an abundance of empathy that comes along with happy personal associations.

Count on Shakespeare to have a take. He wrote in Othello, “To mourn a mischief that is past and gone is the next way to draw new mischief on.”

Dr. Constantine Sedikides, Professor of Social and Personality Psychology at the University of Southampton in the U.K., has spent his career studying nostalgia. He would agree

PAGE 27

with Shakespeare’s recommendation to move on to new mischief.

Dr. Sedikides says he has adopted strategies for increasing nostalgia in his own life. “I don’t miss an opportunity to build nostalgic-to-be memories,” he says. “We call this anticipatory nostalgia.”

Our recent visit to the Manoir Richelieu helped our family connect with the past and share experiences across generations, but you don’t have to travel to achieve the same benefit.

Try taking ten minutes to reflect on a special place or time. Look back into your past and recall an occasion when you achieved a goal, when you first met a special friend, or even something recent that you enjoyed.

Then, having immersed yourself in the memory, check to see how you feel. You should notice a sense of happiness.

Another technique is to meander through the pages of an old photo album.

Need motivation? A study of people who regularly thought about past positive experiences observed the added benefit of leaving them better able to cope with the inevitable stresses in life.

How expectant mothers can benefit from acupuncture A number of women turn to their acupuncturist as a way to overcome issues surrounding pregnancy and infertility.

Here’s how expectant mothers might benefit from acupuncture.

BEFORE PREGNANCY Some women seek out acupuncture as a way to address fertility issues. This is because acupuncture helps to deal with problems that may make it difficult for women to conceive, such as thyroid problems, irregular menstruation and stress.

DURING PREGNANCY Acupuncture can help relieve the nausea and exhaustion that are common during the early stages of pregnancy. In later tri-

mesters, it can reduce headaches, back pain and pelvic pain. Acupuncture may also alleviate depression and stress during pregnancy.

CHILDBIRTH When a baby is overdue, an acupuncture treatment may help induce labour. It may also shorten labour and lessen the pain associated with contractions, thereby decreasing the need for other medical interventions.

To find out how acupuncture can help with infertility or make your pregnancy more comfortable, make an appointment with a practitioner today.

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Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

HEALTH

PAGE 29

The future of fitness can be found online RACHEL MARY RILEY rachel@carib101.com

HEALTH & FITNESS

Some of us that are fitness experts or on the way to creating a lifestyle of healthy living have developed the momentum to work out at home. I firmly believe that there is a time coming when fitness will be fully online and no longer in person.

Some trainers will even become their own bosses and create their home gyms

for their clients or online. Trust me technology is aggressively advancing including more and more business becoming fully online.

It is key that trainers or those of you who are invested in the fitness industry prepare yourselves for the momentum ahead especially as there are many more potential lockdowns. Ask yourself; do you believe that Covid will go away?

People are still wearing masks, even though mandates have eased. The media is still proclaiming that we are currently in a sixth wave.

Brandi Binkley, MS, another fitness expert, stated in one of her articles that we must learn to create a complementary mix of training possibilities in

order to suit the needs of the market as well as create stability and longevity for our business (Brandi Binkley,2015).

Brandi goes on to explain that personal training is a growing industry.

Personal training has seen many changes over the years, so we know it is growing.

As trainers, we need to take a strong look at where our industry is heading, otherwise, we will absolutely be left behind. A few items that I believe take precedence are: education/certification, technology, variability in training formats, and career stability (Brandi Binkley,2015).

It is vitally important that as business owners, entrepreneurs, and my fellow fitness experts that we continue to educate ourselves with the new system

as well as through a variety of opportunities before the world completely changes forever. Just as the vaccines have been made mandatory, I believe the government is planning something that we need to be aware of.

My main point is that we as personal trainers and fitness experts need to adapt to changes and come up with potential ideas that transition for the years and months ahead. As it is written, “Write the vision, make it plain.” Any vision or idea that comes to mind write it and make it happen. Do not limit yourself and do not allow the world to limit you.

An idea can save your family and the generation ahead.

PAGE 30

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

3 gluten-related issues Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye and barley. Here are three health issues related to its consumption.

1. WHEAT ALLERGY People who are allergic to wheat will have an autoimmune response if they consume it. This can result in trouble breathing, abdominal cramping, a drop in blood pressure, hives, redness and other hallmark symptoms of an allergic reaction. While rare, anaphylaxis can occur.

2. CELIAC DISEASE This chronic autoimmune condition primarily affects the small intestine, which beco-

mes inflamed if gluten is consumed. This results in gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation and bloating. The condition can also cause systemic problems like chronic fatigue, depression, anemia and, in some cases, osteoporosis.

3. NON-CELIAC GLUTEN SENSITIVITY (NCGS) This controversial and still poorly understood condition is currently only diagnosed when a patient’s issues with gluten are clearly not due to a wheat allergy or celiac disease. Its symptoms, which include headaches, eczema and joint pain, manifest after ingesting gluten and subside once it’s eliminated from the diet. Because of its close association with fad diets and dubious claims made by self-professed nutrition experts, there’s been resistance to recognizing NCGS as a legitimate diagnosis.

If eating foods that contain gluten causes you to experience unusual symptoms, be sure to consult your doctor.

3 habits that are hurting your back Back pain is one of the most common health complaints among North Americans. It also tends to be the result of bad habits. Here are three common culprits.

1. BAD POSTURE If you regularly slump while watching TV or spend hours slouched at your desk, chances are your back is paying the price.

Try to sit in a straight, upright position as often as possible.

2. SLEEPING ON YOUR STOMACH When you lie on your stomach, your lumbar curve is unsupported and your neck rests at an unnatural angle. This puts pressure on your neuromusculoskeletal system, which is

likely to trigger back pain. Try to sleep on your back or side instead, as this puts less strain on your spine and muscles.

3. CARRYING A HEAVY BAG Walking around with a heavy bag every day is likely to cause back pain. This is especially true if you carry it on only one shoulder, as this increases strain on your back.

In addition, back pain can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle, an inadequate mattress or pillow, kidney problems and even certain types of cancer. If you suffer from persistent back pain, be sure to consult a doctor.

Trigger finger: causes and treatments If your fingers are frequently stiff and un­ comfortable, especially in the morning, you may be developing stenosing tenosyno­ vitis, better known as trigger finger. This common condition causes discomfort when flexing or extending the affected finger, which is often the thumb or ring finger.

Bending or straitening it may result in a palpable snap. In severe cases, the finger may get stuck in a bent position.

trigger finger, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor.

CAUSES Trigger finger is the result of inflammation in the flexor tendon sheath (the protective covering that surrounds the tendons in your fingers). This causes the affected finger to become partially or fully immobilized. Prolonged inflammation may result in nodules forming in the tendon, thereby restricting the finger’s movements even further.

TREATMENTS Typically, trigger finger caused by unusual and forceful hand activity will respond well to rest, a splint and anti-inflammatory medication. However, severe cases and those caused by a chronic health condition such as arthritis may require a corticosteroid injection to be resolved. Should this treatment fail to produce results, surgery will likely be necessary.

If you think you may be suffering from

Osteoporosis: who’s at risk?

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissues in the body. It occurs when the creation of new bone tissue can’t keep up with the natural breakdown of existing tissue, causing bones to become brittle. This disease commonly leads to fractures in the wrists, shoulders, vertebrae and hips.

RISK FACTORS Though the cause of osteoporosis remains unknown, the risk factors are well understood. It’s more common in women, particularly following menopause. In men, the risk goes up after age 50. Other risk factors include low calcium intake, genetics, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and alcohol use.

DIAGNOSIS Since it doesn’t cause pain or other noticeable symptoms as it progresses, osteoporosis is typically diagnosed quite late,

often after a fracture occurs. A bone density scan following a suspect fracture will confirm the diagnosis.

TREATMENT There’s no cure for osteoporosis, but there are ways to prevent and delay its onset and progression. Depending on the case, certain medications may be prescribed.

However, all patients benefit from taking calcium to help maintain bone mass. Ad­ ditionally, vitamin D supplements allow the body to absorb calcium better. Regular physical activity will also reduce the risk for fractures and slow the rate of bone degradation.

At-risk individuals, especially women who underwent early menopause and those whose parents had hip fractures, should discuss osteoporosis with their doctor at their next appointment.

LIFE

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 31

Do you know when to quit?

DANIEL COLE

daniel@carib101.com

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

“Winners never quit, and quitters never win” is one of the most popular quotes on consistency and doggedness. The problem is, without context, this quote is shallow and misleading. All true winners know when to quit; to quit what is not working; to quit putting effort into the wrong things, to quit even when you win, the outcome or result is not worth the effort. The harsh realities of life are no respecter of quotes and bumper sticker wisdom; people have tendencies to be blinded by optimism bias.

I have watched tons of interviews of highly successful people. I have conducted inter-

views with successful entrepreneurs and culture shapers across the world. Over the years, I have always wondered what the most difficult decisions for them to make in their entrepreneurial or success journey, and I finally found out that it’s knowing when to quit for what is not working. In his book, the art of war, Sun Tzu wrote, “Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: one, he will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.”

You’ve probably read Thomas Edison’s famous quote, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

Conversely, I have realized over the years; that in certain contexts or scenarios, “giving up” may be the best decision to take, but the problem is knowing when the time is right. Overly simplified quotes without context can be very misleading.

Grit has its place, doggedness, resolve, resolute, and courage all have their place in the pursuit of dreams; but to keep going when you are not getting results is to be blinded or in denial of your realities,

this is not only disingenuous but a misappropriation of resources and a mere dissipation of energy.

How would you know when to let go of a pursuit? Or how would you know when to change your approach? First, let me point out that most people fail in life not because their cause is not noble; but because they are not flexible enough in their approach or methods to actualize that dream. Nelson Mandela, alongside others did not just win the Apartheid because they fought with sticks and stones; Nelson Mandela studied law, he understood the illegality of the Apartheid system. Sometimes, you need to rise to the intellectual level of your adversaries to really win a battle worth fighting. If the goal or the dream is noble enough and the results are not forthcoming, take a second look at your approach. You are only obliged to be loyal to the goal, not the method of execution.

On the other hand, there are some pursuits that aren’t worth the effort. Even if you win, it is of no lasting consequence.

Given the brevity of life, we can only do so much. It is critical that we constantly take time out to critically look at what we do; are the results commensurate with the effort? What would it mean even if you win?

To what end is this “battle?” To what end is this effort?

I believe no one should go through life blindly motivated. Quit what is not serving you right. No matter how fast you travel on the wrong road motivated, it will never take you to the right destination.

Improvise methods if need be, but most importantly, if it is not working, how much resources, energy, and time will you keep investing or wasting in it.

Sometimes, the way forward is backward. If you need to start again more intelligently, then start again. If you need to take a break to think things through, go for it. However, for the remaining months of the year, make sure you are not dissipating energy, focus on what matters, and make adjustment where necessary.

PAGE 32

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

“We prayed and we prayed, and you are finally home!”

Reliving my past trauma SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

HUMAN SPECIALIST

The courtroom guard led me back behind the court doors that I had originally come through. When we got behind the doors, he led me back to a room, opened the door, and gestured for me to go inside. Before I went in, he took off my handcuffs, and ankle cuffs. It was a relief to finally have them off and to know that they were not going back on.

I stood there after he closed the door and just stared at the walls. It was over. It was finally over.

As I waited, my thoughts ran back over the last few weeks. It is funny that after you have gone through something traumatic, you feel this emptiness, like your body has temporarily stopped feeling. I had forced myself to not feel something for such a long period of time that now it had become my norm.

I should feel happy in this moment shouldn’t I? Some sort of relief; all I knew in

that moment was wanting to be away from here, away from all that reminded me of the last month.

The door opened and the same courtroom guard came in.

“Simone Jennifer Smith, follow me.” I stood up and walked towards the door. He led me down a hall and I saw a door at the very end. When we got to the door, he opened it up, and standing outside the courtroom were my parents and Mark.

“You are free to go,” the officer said to me. The door closed behind me, and I stood there for a moment. My mom looked at me and walked over to me. She had a bag in her hand; the tears were running down her face.

“Simone,” “Mommy!”

She hugged me like she had never hugged me before. Just like that, all those squelched feelings rushed through me like a broken faucet. I started to cry.

“Simone,” my mom said. “We prayed and we prayed and you are finally home.”

My dad had not moved from where he was standing. He was looking at

Vengeance is sweet eh!

STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com

INSIGHT TO SOCIETY

Have you ever wished to wreak vengeance upon someone or something? Happens all the time, so don't feel bad. Some people deserve a kick in the posterior, or a good verbal knockdown. It is a natural thing to seek possible retribution upon someone who seemingly harmed you.

Problem is retribution is often cyclical. A fist begets a fist as they say. The sweetness of vengeance can become unpleasantly sour. Have you ever heard of this adage, “Vengeance is a lazy form of grief?”

What does that mean? Well when we are offended, and have a reason to seek vengeance, we feel like the victim, and feel sorry for ourselves. This self-sorrow develops into possible anger and hate. Suddenly, we are ready to inflict some whoop ass.

This resentment leads your mind towards negative fantasies about your ex, an unfriendly neighbour, an uncooperative fel-

low employee and what terrible things should happen to them. Hoping that your ex's bald spot grows, or your neighbour's illegally parked car should be towed may feel satisfying, but these feelings are actually self-destructive in the long run. The pain and bad luck of others can make good stories, in fact they often do in many movies. In our best and silent moments we know that their pain won't make us feel better.

In fact we are only hurting ourselves. Now, if you are a psychopath the pain you inflict will certainly bring a smile to your face, but if you are a well-mannered person the pain of others will not benefit you. Harming others is like drinking poison, and waiting in hopes that other people will die. The poison of mistrust, hate and vengeance is in you, eating away at your selfrespect and psyche.

You want to piss someone off and maintain your own self-respect? How about turning your grief into a process that gets your life back on track and restoring your self-confidence and sense of purpose.

The best release of your emotions and grief would be succeeding in living a happy, successful life. It will demand self-determination and hard work. You can get unruly and emotionally insecure, or you can take the bull by the horns and make a good day for yourself.

my mom and I, stoic. I knew that he was feeling something, but I also knew my dad.

He was not going to show any emotion.

“Come,” my mom said. “The bathroom is right over here. I brought you some clothes for you to change into. Simone, you look so thin. Did they feed you? Why are you so thin?

I had no answer. I stood there sobbing.

“Okay, okay! Don’t cry. Come let’s go change.” We went into the bathroom, and my mom passed me the bag. In there was a pair of jeans, one of my favourite sweaters, and a pair of boots. I quickly went into the stall and changed. I wanted to get out of there so badly.

When I emerged from the stall, I looked at my mom. Like me, she had lost a lot of weight. Her face looked stressed out, and pale.

“Mom, I am so sorry for putting you guys through this.”

“Hush! Let’s get you home. I think

that David is here. He didn’t come into the courtroom, but he has been outside waiting for you.”

My heart skipped a beat. “David is here.”

“Yes,” my mom repeated. “I guess you are going to want to ride home with him. It’s okay, your dad and I will be behind you. Go ahead. We will see you at home. Before you leave, go and talk to your father.

It has been hard for him. He misses you and has been praying every day since you called.”

“Okay mom! I have to stop by the office to retrieve some of my personal belongings then I will come back and see dad.”

“Do it quickly. Do you want me to come with you?”

“No mom, I got this.” I gave her one more hug, and exited the bathroom. I was anxious to see my dad and David, but I had just one more thing to do.

LIFE

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 33

Navigating the ocean of Toronto’s Cannabis Dispensaries SEAN SEURATTAN sean@carib101.com

THE HEIGHTENED CHEF As Canada’s most populous city, Toronto rightly has become the largest arena for the retail of cannabis. Currently, Ontario has more than 1,300 active dispensaries with the lion’s share of them right here in the GTA. This is a far cry from the province’s ridiculous previous allotment of 100 sites in a failed lottery attempt for licenses. It has been a long, arduous journey to where the cannabis retail is now, and it is far from being over, but at least now there is fertile soil for a vibrant community to grow a cultured marketplace.

While many more retail licenses have now been issued, opening a dispensary is still a massive undertaking. A series of three separate licenses must be obtained before the doors can even open. This smartly ensures that a standard for safety, privacy and accountability is maintained

across any licensed dispensary you walk into. That said, you can expect certain things about product, process, and protocol to be exactly the same no matter where you go. Prices may vary slightly from store to store, but not significantly. This is because each licensee must purchase all their products from Ontario’s monopoly Crown Corporation; the OCS (Ontario Cannabis Store).

With these factors mandated to be uniform, what remains is your choice, one place over another. The first obvious factor is location. Your proximity to a dispensary will highly influence your choice to go there. While rules surrounding the location of a cannabis retail store are strict, we have evolved to a point where one shouldn’t have to go far in order to find one. Some areas can have multiple locations within a short distance, which negates this as a factor altogether. This leaves us with the most definitive factor, customer experience.

The experience you receive when interacting with any store is built from many perspectives. Brand philosophies and aesthetics, staff efficiency and accuracy, product knowledge and curation, community connection and support all play a role. Companies may choose to prioritize these differently, but from large chain re-

6 tips for growing rhubarb Here are six tips for growing rhubarb in your backyard.

1. Choose a sunny location with rich, relatively moist soil. Ideally, pick some­ where other than your vegetable garden. Rhubarb takes up a lot of space and can cover up smaller plants.

2. Allow at least one metre between your rhubarb and other plants. This ensures it has plenty of room to spread out.

3. Apply compost and all-purpose organic fertilizer annually. Make sure to read the package instructions for the proper application.

4. Remove weeds at the base of the rhubarb plant to avoid attracting pests like weevils. Make sure to regularly remove wilted stems to promote growth.

5. During dry spells and intense heat, wa­ter your plant in the evening to prevent shock. Avoid getting the leaves wet, and don’t oversaturate the soil.

6. Don’t pick any rhubarb the first year.

Wait until the third year to harvest heavily. How­ever, never pick all the stems because this can weaken the plant.

Talk to your local garden centre staff for more tips and advice.

tailers to small business owners, the goal is the same; create an experience that a customer wishes to repeat.

Going across the GTA, we spoke to several dispensary managers and owners to get their point of view. All had a deep connection to and a burning passion for cannabis and their clients. When asked “What makes the experience in your store different from all the others,” here’s what they said: Nick Baksh, founder of Montrose in Pickering values his clients above all and has handcrafted their experience in nearly every aspect with pinpoint detail. “I researched what was wrong with existing dispensaries and solved those problems in my store.”

One Plant is one of the larger chain retailers in Ontario with a core of strong brand philosophies. While keeping uniform behaviours across all locations, each one does its own to keep their roots firmly planted in their community. When speaking to the manager of beloved One Plant Scarborough, they said “One Plant Scarborough is locally owned and is focused on creating an immersive and inviting cannabis experience that offers a curated selection of best brands and products for those just beginning their cannabis journey, to

the most seasoned cannabis consumer.”

Zaira Gaudio, owner of the Curious Cannabis Company retail store in Toronto has taken her hard work and manifested a dream into reality. Her sheer delight in helping people connect to cannabis shined through when she said “Our shop takes you back to a time before criminalization, where you feel welcome to ask any questions and receive real, informed answers. Cannabis education is the cornerstone of everything we do, and our mission is to help every curious Canadian help navigate cannabis with confidence.”

In Brampton at HiBuzz Cannabis retail, manager Mike goes the extra mile by doing weekly informative webcasts to keep his clients up to date on different cannabis topics. “Hibuzz is a place to bring your friends for a blunt, or to bring your mom to learn about CBD oil: we’re for everybody” Whatever it is that you’re looking for in a dispensary experience, there is someone ready to assist you. Ensuring the cannabis retail space evolves to its best form depends on supporting those who do. Be conscious of what makes a good experience and be sure to reward hard working places like these with your hard earned dollars!

4 ways to create shade in your yard Here are four ways to create a cool, shaded area in your yard to help you survive the hot, sun-drenched days of summer.

1. A canopy is an esthetically pleasing option that provides shade and, depending on the model, can protect from UV rays. Remember to choose a triangular or rectangular canopy that’s light in colour to avoid attracting more heat.

2. An umbrella is ideal for creating a sha­ ded area exactly where you want it. Depending on where the sun shines during the day, you can move it around or adjust the an­ gle. Moreover, choose a large enough model that has a stand to meet your needs.

3. A pergola is made of wooden slats or lattice and can be fixed or mobile. It has the advan-

tage of being more durable than a canopy or umbrella. Additionally, you can install curtains or arrange climbing plants for more privacy.

4. Trees add coolness to your yard and are an excellent long-term solution. You can use a temporary shade source until the trees grow to sufficient size.

Contact a landscaping specialist to find the best option for your situation.

PAGE 34

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Meet the degu Animals from the rodent family, such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, mice and gerbils are popular house pets. Despite their cuddly and energetic disposition, degus, how­ever, are a lesser-known spe­cies that are often overlooked. Here’s what makes degus fan­tastic pets.

prefer to live in groups, it’s best to adopt at least two degus from the same litter. Although they’re diurnal, these rodents are most active at night. In addition, like guinea pigs, they make warbles, chirps, squeaks and other sounds to communicate.

APPEARANCE Degus are small domestic rodents that look like a mix between a gerbil and a squirrel. They weigh around 200 to 300 grams and measure between 10 and 20 centimetres long. Degus have large, dark eyes, small ears and soft coats that come in a variety of shades, including a mixture of grey and orange.

CARE Since degus are herbivores, they should be fed a combination of high-quality hay, commercial grain-free food and fresh vegetables and greens. They also need small branches to chew on.

BEHAVIOUR Degus are shy, curious, clean, resourceful, playful and affectionate animals. Since they

Your pet rodent will thrive in a spacious, multi-tiered cage with clean water, healthy food and plenty of socialization.

When given adequate care, degus can live up to 10 years.

What to do if your cat refuses to use their litter box Is Mittens making messes around the house? If your cat refuses to use their litter box, it’s best to determine the cause of the unwanted behaviour. Here’s an overview of what you should know.

“I understand dozens of words”

POSSIBLE CAUSES If your cat has diabetes, a urinary tract infection or other health problem, they may physically be unable to hold it in. Alternatively, if their living environment has recently changed, your furry friend may start making messes as a result of stress.

Your dog has some extraordinary things say.

Your cat may also refuse to use a litter box if it’s too small or located somewhere cold or noisy. They might also be put off if they don’t like the type of litter used or the box isn’t clean. Additionally, some cats won’t use a litter box soiled by another cat.

Even though we’re around each other every language. If you learn to decode my posday, there are many things you probably ture, expression and movements, our reladon’t know about me. For exationship will flourish. mple, did you realize that I have the mental capacity of a twoAlso, I need to be stimulated for is how us and-a-half-year-old human several hours every day to dogs child? According to experts, I thrive, and I enjoy being around say hi. can understand about 160 other dogs. If I spend all my time words, including the names of alone and only go outside to reobjects and activities. Furtherlieve myself, I may misbehave or more, like a toddler, I’m unable to feel com- become depressed. I need to chew, bark, plex emotions like shame, pride and guilt. sniff, play and go on long walks to stay happy and healthy.

You may be surprised to learn that I bark for several different reasons depending on the I look forward to playing with you soon, circumstances. For example, I’ll bark to let you know I want something or if I want someone to go away. I have several ways of showing my emotions through my body

“Woof!”

XOXO Fido

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS If your veterinarian confirms that your cat doesn’t have any health problems, try purchasing a second litter box. This will ensure that your cat isn’t tempted to relieve itself on your couch or kitchen floor. If you have two cats, experts recommend three litter boxes in different rooms.

Look for a litter box that suits your cat’s size and preferences. Keep in mind that most cats prefer uncovered boxes. It should also be placed in a quiet, low-traffic area. Also, experiment with different kinds of litter until you find one that works, and make sure to clean the box once or twice a day.

If you’ve done everything you can and your cat still won’t use its litter box, you may want to consult a feline behaviourist.

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

REAL ESTATE

PAGE 35

OREA- How we can tackle climate change JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com

REAL ESTATE PRO

We’ve made great strides exploring space; looking for life on Mars. Yet at home on this planet, we are taking baby steps when it comes to climate change. The earth left alone will heal itself. Humans will suffer.

Our future generations are looking up at us. The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) is at the helm with fresh ideas in the housing industry to tackle climate change.

The housing industry alone cannot combat climate change, but it’s a step in the right direction. Let’s work together to preserve this heaven for our children’s children.

The first idea is to implement a new green home renovation tax credit.

Low rise buildings such as a detached or attached single family homes built before 2010 are major sources of residential emission. Most of these homes are not well insulated and require more natural gas to heat. The biproduct of natural gas combustion is carbon dioxide. In 2007, The Federal Government introduced the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC). Homeowners can benefit if renovations are done to conserve energy. Some of these renovations include replacing oil furnaces and other low-efficient furnaces with high efficiency systems, installing thermal heat pumps, installing solar panels, replacing leaky windows and doors, upgrading insulation for basement and attics, and installing a high-efficiency hot water system. High efficiency homes would have lower utility bills as well.

Another recommendation is for

the province to implement a home energy audit program. Home energy audits should have a certification period for ten years.

With this in place, homeowners can identify areas of inefficiencies and with government subsidies, complete the required renovations. Once certified, these homes can be sold as “ENERGYSTAR” or “Energuide” homes. Buyers would pay more for homes that are certified, knowing that their utility bills would be less. Energy audits create more jobs as well. With the right incentives and awareness, more homeowners could choose to retrofit. To receive incentives, homeowners must submit receipts from a licensed contractor.

Ontario Building Codes standards for newly built homes is impressive, leaving older homes in the dust. One of the biggest sources of heat loss is from the building envelope. Amending the Ontario building code to include a minimum energyefficient requirement for homes that undergo renovations is another suggestion.

Retrofitting older homes by installing new windows and doors, air leakage seals, draft proofing and better insulation would improve the building envelope. It is estimated that this project has a payback period between five to ten years. However, projects like this can be costly and homeowners who may need it the most cannot afford to borrow the funds needed. Another fresh idea is to introduce an On-Bill Financing for buildings envelope improvements.

On-Bill Financing (OBF) is a process where the utility companies assist homeowners with the upfront cost to make the property more energy efficient.

The company can then recoup their costplus interest by adding a monthly amount to their utility bill. OBF is an affordable option where the savings from less energy consumption can be credited towards the loan until such time that the loan is paid

in full. With this recommendation, there is little or no net change in the utility bills until the loan is paid. After the loan is paid, the homeowner will notice a reduction in their utility bills. For this to be successful, the process should be a collaborated effort between inspection, recommendations and then renovations.

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is a carbon-neutral fuel made by capturing methane emissions from organic waste, landfills, and farms. It is a viable alternative for natural gas. RNG is cleaner and produces less emissions. RNG can be connected to existing gas pipelines and transferred to the consumer the same way as natural gas.

It is more expensive than natural gas, but it is a clean and renewable energy source.

Instead of dumping our waste on land fill sites and releasing methane gas into the atmosphere, we can use it to heat our homes.

A major source of pollution comes from gas guzzling vehicles. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, do not have emissions. Bylaws should be implemented where every home must have a charging station. This alone is not enough unless there are infrastructures to have rapid charging stations like gas stations. Another alternative is to develop hybrid vehicles that can run on both hydrogen cells and electricity.

OREA is doing their part, but change can only happen when we ourselves change. There must be a critical mass of people to change global consciousness.

Everyone can assist by taking steps to conserve energy, plant a few more trees, tapping into energy sources that are already in abundances such as heat from the earth’s crust and solar and wind technology. Let’s work together leaving this earth a better place than we found it.

We’ve got your

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PAGE 36

HOME

Use warm colours in your decor Do you want to repaint or decorate a room or two in your home? In 2022, warm colours are all the rage. Here are some tips to help you choose the right colour and achieve the desired results.

BALANCE WARM SHADES WITH COOL TONES Combine warm colours with cool ele­ ments to create a sense of balance. For example, yellow or orange walls go per­ fectly with a polished concrete floor or wrought iron furniture.

USE THEM IN THE APPROPRIATE PLACES Yellow is a particularly stimulating co­ lour that has been shown to improve concentration and productivity. There­ fore, it’s ideal for your home office or the bedroom. Moreover, red has a restora­ tive, soothing effect, while orange evo­ kes friendliness and creativity.

THINK ABOUT THE MOOD YOU WANT Do you want to create an intimate or en­ ergizing space? Answering this question will help you determine the intensity of the colours to choose. Canary and mus­ tard yellow, for example, evoke two very different moods.

CONSIDER THE EFFECT OF LIGHTING Both natural and artificial lighting can impact colour. Before you start painting, make sure to try the colours in your space. Apply a few samples to the wall to see how your lighting affects the fi­ nished result.

Do you need help creating the perfect de­cor?

Con­sider con­s­ulting an inte­rior designer.

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

A guide to choosing the right paint finish Do you want to repaint one or more rooms in your home? When choosing paint, the finish is just as important as the colour. Here are some things to consider when choosing a matte, sa­ tin, velvet or semi-gloss finish.

WHAT ARE PAINT FINISHES? The term finish indicates how the paint will look on the painted surface and how much light it’ll reflect. Finish designa­ tions like velvet, platinum, satin and pearl vary from one paint manufacturer to another. It’s therefore essential to ask about the sheen of the product before making your choice.

Here are the most suitable finishes for the different rooms and surfaces in your home: • Ceilings. Matte finish is most sui­ table for ceilings. If applied evenly, it can hide imperfections.

• Living room and bed­rooms. Consi­ der matte and satin fi­nishes for consistent and elegant results.

Keep in mind that matte finishes aren’t as easy to clean. For easy cleaning, pearl and semi-gloss fi­ nishes are more suitable op­ tions.

• Bathrooms and kitchens. Shiny and glossy finishes are best for high-maintenance rooms that require moisture resistance. For areas that need occasional polishing, choose a se­ mi-gloss finish.

• Woodwork. Velvet, satin, semi-gloss and gloss finishes are suitable for woodwork and mouldings. The same goes for doors. However, it’s best to ch­ oose a finish that’s easy to clean.

Visit a paint retailer in your area to stock up for your next project.

FUN

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 37

WEEK OF MAY 8 TO MAY 14, 2022

ARIES

The luckiest signs this week: SCORPIO, SAGITTARIUS AND CAPRICORN

Don’t doubt the law of attraction when it comes to your work.

Visualizing your goals in a precise way will help you achieve them quickly and with surprising ease.

TAURUS

You’ll find yourself in a situation that puts the spotlight on you and gives you the tools to set new goals. You’ll take pride in your achievements, which will significantly increase your selfesteem.

PUZZLE NO. 761 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 761

HOW TO PLAY :

GEMINI

If you have plans to move, you’ll start getting boxes and administrative tasks ready to get a head start. Alternatively, you may make plans to renovate part of your home

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

CANCER

This week, you’ll deal with traffic jams and miscommunications.

Look for alternate routes and charge your phone before leaving the house to avoid delays and other annoyances.

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.

LEO

You’ll be given free rein on a project or training course.

Financing and other tools will become available to you, and you’ll manage to secure your retirement in a rather unexpected way.

VIRGO

PUZZLE NO. 51 56. Prod 57. Hurry 58. Criminal gang 59. Looked at 60. Soap-making substances 61. Stubborn animal DOWN

ACROSS

1. Part of a play 4. Punching tools 8. Casino numbers 12. Timid 13. Dude 14. Courage 15. Burst 16. Struggle

successfully 17. Volcano flow 18. Vowed 20. Margin 22. Horrify 25. Lit 28. Talking birds 33. Dove’s cries 34. Wheel track 36. Car

37. Mountain call 39. Educated 41. To the rear of a ship 43. Hurled 47. The British ____ 51. Stack 52. Mournful word 55. In the past

1. Deadly serpents 2. Hearty food 3. Mistake in print 4. Consent to 5. Reporter’s query 6. Once around the track 7. Hex 8. Eye 9. Tied contest 10. Opera star 11. Command to a dog 19. Rear 21. Tall tree 23. Miles ____ hour 24. ____ education 25. Slippery 26. Muck

27. Motion of assent 29. Adventure stories 30. Sort of sister 31. Wolfed down 32. Grass-covered ground 35. Crossed letter 38. In-____ (relative) 40. Gets up 42. Tangle

43. In this way 44. Present!

45. Tantrum 46. Unbarred 48. Tibetan holy man 49. Personality parts 50. Cries 53. Set down 54. Highest card

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 51

You’ll be determined to better your life and improve your situation. If you take action, you’ll succeed. All you have to do is take the first step to set things in motion.

LIBRA

You may be shorttempered this week. You’ll feel like you’re treading w a ter and waiting for everyone else. You may need to take a step back to move forward.

SCORPIO

You’ll organize a meeting or event that brings the whole company together at work. You’ll also work with several clients, which will increase your income. Abundance is on your doorstep.

SAGITTARIUS

A project will require special attention. You may encounter delays in every aspect of your life. For example, you’ll be put on hold or choose the wrong line at the grocery store.

CAPRICORN

Summer holidays are just around the corner. Now is the time to make plans to ensure you can visit all the attractions on your list. You may need to book a day camp for your children.

AQUARIUS

You’ll be put in a situation that inspires your work or family life.

You’ll have the opportunity to set new and exciting goals.

PISCES

If you’re still in the early stages of your relationship, you’ll receive a marriage proposal or another gesture of commitment. Your significant other will declare their undying love for you in a big way, much to your delight.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

the free

Classifieds Your destination to buy, sell and post!

LIST UP TO 30 WORDS FOR FREE! CALL 647-722-6298 *Some Restrictions May Apply - Subject To Space Availability

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by Town and Country.

Contact Edward 647-218-1333

FOR SALE COMMUNITY TORONTO NEWCOMER DAY DESCRIPTION: First proclaimed in 2015, Toronto Newcomer Day is an annual event held in May that welcomes newcomers to Toronto, helps them understand and access a range of services, and celebrates their contributions to the city.

The event features a number of activities, including a formal stage program, food fair, a newcomer marketplace, information fair, and more. For more information about Toronto Newcomer Day, please visit www.toronto.ca/newcomerday

FORWANTED SALE HELP GENERAL HELPER: Looking for a helper to do general labour, garden cleaning, landscaping, and winter snow removal. Cash paid weekly. Located at Morningside & Lawrence in Scarborough. Please call: (416)269-5174.

HIRING FOR CLEANING: Looking for experience people for general cleaning evenings and night.

Must speak English and can drive to areas in the GTA. Call or Text 647-239-4808. Seriou calls only

FOR SALE SERVICES HOUSE CLEANING: Looking to take on new client for house cleaning or office cleaning in the GTA. Call Yvonne 647-701-4930

HELP WANTED PART TIME DELIVERY DRIVERS: Approximately 4-6 hours commitment every second Wednesday.

Drivers needed for: • Scarborough/Pickering/ Ajax • North York/Rexdale/ Malton • Brampton/Mississauga Driver must have SUV or Van. Call 647-722-6298 to apply.

FOR RENT FOR RENT: Furnished Room For Rent! Sharing Kitchen & Washroom. Located in Scarborough, Toronto, Morningside Avenue & Kingston Road. $850.00/month including utilities. Please call (416)459-6155.

FOR RENT: Furnished 1 BedBasement Apart For Rent! Separate Entrance, Private Kitchen & Washroom. Located in Scarborough, Toronto, Morningside Avenue & Kingston Road. $1,550.00/ month including utilities. Please call (416)459-6155.

FOR SALE WORSHIP SUNDAY 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

SALES REPS WANTED

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

business

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TEL: 705-291-1100

PAGE 40

FINANCE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Five key questions to ask before buying a Toronto investment property CLEVE DeSOUZA cleve@carib101.com

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

If you are new to the world of property investing in Toronto, then it is important to ask the right questions. Oftentimes, knowing the answers will help you to decide whether a Toronto investment property is right for you or not. Here are some key questions to help you get started!

Question #1 - What is the vacancy rate for the area?

A significant number of people who buy investment property in Toronto plan to lease it out, and hold it for the long term. If this is your strategy, one vital statistic that you need to ask about is vacancy rate. If there are a lot of other properties for lease in the same area, yours will have to compete for prospective tenants. Also, anytime there are high vacancy rates, you want to ask why. Perhaps the area isn’t that desirable due to traffic congestion, lack of shopping, or some other factor.

Question #2 - Are there potential liability issues?

Liability risk is generally something that an insurance underwriter thinks about, but not necessarily a real estate investor. However, in order to properly protect yourself and your future investment, it is important to ask questions up front. Are there any hazards that a future tenant could hold you liable for? Some things, like a poorly lit staircase, might be an easy fix, but other items like asbestos or lead based paint can become quite pricey to remedy.

Question #3 - What are the maintenance costs?

Many times, novice real estate investors see a newly constructed or recently renovated property and make the incorrect assumption that maintenance and upkeep costs will be very low. However, things like construction methods, type of materials used, and how the property is treated can all play into how heavy the maintenance burden is. A large deck, for example, may require stripping and staining every year or two if it is constructed from treated wood. Composite decking, on the other hand, may only require a simple wash to maintain.

Other areas to pay close attention to include exterior finishes, roofs, flooring, and special features like pools, fountains, etc.

Question #4 - Is there adequate parking and storage?

To be a good investor, you often have to put

yourself in the shoes of your prospective tenant. Ask yourself, when you are looking at prospective properties, whether there is sufficient and desirable parking and if the storage makes sense. If you wouldn’t want to have to carry your groceries to a distant parking lot, a tenant probably won’t either. Other things like closet space, kitchen cabinet availability, and outdoor storage should also be evaluated.

Question #5 - What is the age of systems and appliances?

Before putting in an offer on a Toronto investment property, be sure to ask about the age and functionality of things like plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning, and appliances. These are not only some of the most costly repair items, but things that tenants will probably not want to do without for long periods of time. Additionally, if these items are updated, they tend to be more energy efficient, helping to save money on utilities.

And many more…

Obviously, these five questions are just a starting point, and each person should add to this list based on their own needs and strategies. By taking the time to ask the right questions, and seek the information that you need, you will be more equipped to make the most informed decision possible when buying an investment property in Toronto.

Four tips that will help you retire Wondering if you’ll ever retire? Here are four tips to help you reach financial independence: 1.

2.

Spend less than you earn. Having a balanced budget may seem like basic financial common sense, but according to a recent study, nearly half of all Canadians (47 per cent) are living paycheque to paycheque.

Pay yourself first. If you want to retire early, make payments into your savings accounts and retirement funds

3.

4.

before paying other expenses, including rent, utility bills and groceries.

Get into the habit of automatically contributing to your savings each month.

Buy assets that generate income. Invest in assets that tend to appreciate over time — stocks, real estate, artwork and antiques — rather than electronic products that rapidly depreciate.

Keep investing. Having a diverse portfolio of long-term investments (stocks, bonds, REITs, etc.) is an important

strategy for reaching financial independence. Invest during bad years as well as good years: if you give up during a lull, chances are you’ll miss out on the returns during the recovery.

As you plan for your retirement, keep in mind that it can be helpful to have an adviser look over your finances. He or she can suggest tailor-made strategies for saving, investing and budgeting.

Personal finance tips for freelancers When freelancing is your main source of income, it can be difficult to maintain a budget. Here are tips for managing your finances as a freelancer.

Estimate your income for budgeting purposes To determine your projected monthly income as a freelancer, figure out what you expect to earn from your regular clients.

Then, approximate the total amount that you think you’ll earn from one-off and non-regular clients. Divide this number in half and add it to your estimated earnings from regular clients. Using the re-

sulting amount as your monthly income will allow you to make a budget that has a built-in buffer in case it’s a slow month.

Keep a separate account for business expenses Have separate business and personal bank accounts so you can keep track of work expenses like software and office equipment. You should also have at least one savings account that you contribute to regularly. As a freelancer with irregular income, it’s especially important to have savings.

Plan for taxes When you aren’t an employee, you need to set aside around 25 per cent of your income for taxes. Make sure to keep all invoices and payment receipts so you’re prepared for tax season. If you work from home, you’ll likely be able to claim things like internet bills and office supplies as business expenses on your taxes.

Since taxes for freelancers are particularly complicated, it’s a good idea to hire an accountant to do your taxes so you don’t make mistakes or miss possible deductions.

Peel Regional Police News Your access to the latest alerts, media releases, crime statistics, podcasts and more.

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AUTOMOTIVE

Choose new tires carefully You were probably very proud when you bought your new car or truck with all of its performance features. However, now that your once brand new vehicle is a few years older, it may be time to replace its summer tires. Surprise! You discover that your car came from the factory with tires that are considered performance products. Performance tires have an S, T, U, H, V, W, Y, or Z rating, which is found on the tire walls (235/40R17 90Y, for example).

If your vehicle was originally equipped with performance tires, it is better to replace them with the exact same tires. Even better, it won’t hurt to choose a higher speed rating as long as the tire sizes match or are equivalent. This means that, when you replace your performance tires, it is definitely not a good idea to try

to save money by buying cheaper models.

While it could save you a lot of money, remember that your vehicle was designed and built with performance in mind. The engineers matched those specific tires to your particular vehicle. If replaced with less performing tires, the car won’t handle the way it was designed and driving it at higher speeds could be dangerous.

If you own a performance vehicle, it is best to consult a tire expert. If the recommended tires are more expensive than you expected, keep in mind that it is out of concern for your safety. Perhaps next time you will choose a less performing car that doesn’t require such expensive replacement parts!

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, May 11, 2022

When you buy tools, buy good tools Tools of every size and shape abound, especially tools for cars or mechanics. Obviously, when professional mechanics buy their tools, they choose the best tools they can afford. Should people who maintain their car as a hobby do the same? Should everyday motorists who enjoy tinkering with their car or truck do the same?

In some ways, yes! Buying tools should not be taken lightly! Tools can be expensive. Actually, good tools are expensive. People who do a little handiwork are naturally attracted to the more affordable tools. Is it a good decision? No! Nobody should buy cheap tools that could break and cause injury. It happens. What’s more, because inferior tools lack the required precision, they can actually damage the parts you are trying to repair. Clearly, there is no substitute for good

quality tools.

When shopping for tools, even if it’s only to do small jobs around the house, always look for known brands. This is even more important when it involves working on cars. Known brands usually offer a warranty and, in most cases, a lifetime unconditional warranty. Specialized stores, like auto parts stores, carry known brand tools.

Tools sold in big department stores are also worth considering, especially the brands that offer at least a limited warranty.

Don’t be tempted by bargain tools with unknown brands and no warranty. Ask for advice. If the price is significantly higher than the cheaper tools, it could mean that you will be working with good quality tools that won’t break or damage parts, and, most importantly, that won’t injure you.