“In today’s digital age, it has never been more crucial to be discerning about the information we consume on social media...”
ATHEENA RYCMAN
Committed to being her very best
Have you ever felt the joy of your hard work paying off? The joy of winning something or getting praised. Can you remember the pure bliss you felt in that moment? It definitely was felt by Atheena Rycman, a seventeen-year-old high school graduate who competed at the International Karate Daigaku in Guyana.
Caribbean community: once again, we have another young person representing our community at the highest level, and it is a young Canadian martial artist who represented Canada at a national level. Atheena Rycman, a freshman at McGill University, shares her nine-year journey of practicing karate.
Rycman started her karate journey at the young age of eight to develop her character and for self-defense purposes. She has continued her karate journey as she sees the values her father saw when he pushed her to learn karate.
Karate is a sport that teaches humility, perseverance, resilience, kindness, and many more skills that develop one’s character. A sport that teaches you when to hit and when not to. It’s the adrenaline rush when you first learn to punch, or successfully take someone down.
It is not just about the belts, the ranks, or winning competitions. It’s the practice one puts into learning, the development of character, and the commitment to continue training. All of this can be seen in Atheena Rycman.
On a regular training day for Atheena at the IKD Honbu Upper Beaches dojo, she was selected for Canada’s national team. Rycman was going on with her daily training when she was approached by the head of the IKD organization and given the amazing news that she would be heading to Guyana, her home country, to represent Canada in karate.
Rycman and her family set off to go to Guyana for the IKD tournament there, which was being held from July 16th, 2024, to July 21st, 2024. Rycman competed in four events, winning gold in all. She competed in individual kata, individual ku-
mite, team kata, and team bunkai.
Kata is often described as the art form of karate. Kata is a set of sequences that consists of kicks, strikes, blocks, sweeps, and throws. Body movements in katas vary from twisting, stepping, dropping to the floor, and jumping.
The word kumite translates to freestyle sparring. In this event, you spar tournament-style with rules. Though it is freestyle sparring, it does not mean you are fighting; this is an opportunity for you to apply all the knowledge and skills learned while keeping the contact nice and light.
The Japanese word bunkai in karate terms is the application of the kata. Behind each technique in kata lies multiple self-defense applications. The application of these techniques within the kata is known as bunkai.
On the first day of the tournament, all kyu-level belts were scheduled to compete in their individual kata and individual kumite. Kyu rank represents the progression one has made throughout karate. There are ten kyus in IKD, the 10th kyu being white and the 1st kyu being brown with two stripes. Rycman is 1st kyu, who competed in her first two events on July 16th.
On the second day was the black belt elimination round. All dan-ranked participants competed in individual kata and individual kumite. Dan is a ranking system that starts after the 1st kyu, where one grades for their black belt. The ranking system goes from the 1st dan to the 10th dan. Speaking of black belts, Rycamn is currently preparing for her grading in December to be 1st dan black belt.
On the third day of the tournament, there were team events for all black and kyu belts. The events on this day were: team kata, team bunkai, team kumite, and team enbu. Rycman competed on this day, bringing two more gold medals in the team kata event and the team bunkai event.
The word enbu in Japanese translates to dance. This event is limited to only black belts, and essentially, they
are to interpret the kata themselves. It is similar to bunkai, but those have been passed down through generations of karate-ka (karate practitioners). In this event, you are to make your bunkais how you see fit from the kata and present them to the judges.
Lastly, the end of the tournament was the finals for all black belt individuals who competed on the second day in individual kata and individual kumite. This was officially the last day of the tournament, where Rycman did an amazing job representing herself and her country.
With this amazing experience over, Rycman’s family could not have been any prouder of her accomplishments. Rycman shares her plans to continue training at an IKD location based on her university’s campus while she studies microbiology and immunology at McGill University this fall.
This was a great accomplishment not just for her but for our community as well. Karate is not a common sport for young athletes to pursue. It is important to support our young athletes, especially when they are in sports where representation is important.
This sport takes determination and years of practice, so kudos to Atheena Rycman for never giving up and becoming an inspiration to young girls out there who want to try something new or get out of their comfort zone.
Congratulations, Rycman, for this amazing accomplishment, and keep up the great work! Know that your community stands behind you, especially the team here at the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper.
Photo Credit:
Jodie-Ann Beckford
Written by Krishna Mistry Toronto Caribbean News
Time to fight for control over
“The decision to conclude the Pandemic Agreement within the next year demonstrates how strongly and urgently countries want it, because the next pandemic is a matter of when, not if.”
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Canadians! We have a crucial decision to make. Canada has 10 months to opt out of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and its binding legal authority. These regulations, if left unchallenged, could significantly: erode your freedoms, change your daily life, block your travel, your work and even your freedom to worship, and grant unprecedented power to unelected globalist bureaucrats.
The WHO will begin enforcing it and gain unprecedented power over your daily life. I am afraid bureaucrats and politicians in Canada may give in without a fight... unless we ACT!
On June 1st, 2024, an agreed package of critical amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) was made, and it entailed concrete commitments to completing negotiations on a global pandemic agreement within a year, at the latest, and possibly in 2024. According to WHO,
these critical actions have been taken in order to ensure comprehensive, robust systems are in place in all countries to protect the health and safety of all people everywhere from the risk of future outbreaks and pandemics.
These decisions represent two important steps by countries, taken in tandem with one another on the final day of the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly, to build on lessons learned from several global health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic. They claim that the package of amendments to the regulations will strengthen global preparedness, surveillance, and responses to public health emergencies, including pandemics.
On June 1st, 2024, these amendments were pushed through in the most questionable and desperate manner after the Pandemic Treaty’s failure, trying to grab more control over our lives.
Sebastian Lukomski (Citizen Go) was there, and what he reported happened that day was truly shocking:
• They didn’t follow the official procedures.
• Instead of calling out each nation’s name for a vote, they claimed they had enough for consensus without any proper vote.
• Some member state delegates were reportedly pressured and threatened.
• Consensus was claimed when only a third of the member states were in the room.
Unsurprisingly, the globalists in charge pushed through without even acknowledging the serious failures of past measures like lockdowns, mask mandates, or the harmful side effects of certain COVID-19 treatments
and vaccines. I know. I know. This may not seem important to you, but here’s just SOME of what Canada could expect if it doesn’t officially withdraw from the International Health Regulations (IHR):
• The World Health Organization (WHO) will demand the authority to declare pandemics, triggering global measures (Article 1).
• WHO will have expanded power to declare emergencies (Article 12).
• Unelected authorities can impose isolation and quarantine on travel and work (Article 27).
• Travelers could face compulsory medical exams and vaccinations (Article 31). We saw how this decimated people’s lives around the world.
• National response will include comprehensive requirements, such as surveillance and control of non-WHO-approved information (Annex 1).
• Detailed requirements for health certificates will be enforced – without WHO-approved documents (ultimately entered in a world database!) you may not be able to work, travel, or make your own medical decisions (Annex 6).
Thankfully, some countries have already expressed objections: Slovakia, Switzerland, and Argentina are among others who have shown dissent, or skepticism about the IHR amendments. The U.K. and the Netherlands are waiting for their new governments to decide upon the acceptance of the amendments.
Iran explained its concerns in these words:
“We value the IHR as a cornerstone of international public health law, but several areas need improving if we are to be better prepared for the next pandemic.”
“We are concerned that the outcome text of the WGIHR does not fully address the long-standing concern raised by a number of States and is far from what we expected through this process, namely on equity and development-related issues. Accordingly, my delegation would like to emphasize under the IHR, State Party rights for internal consideration of the IHR amendments annexed to this resolution in accordance with national rules and regulations and if required as stipulated in the resolution to need to notify the Director-General of the possible rejection or reservation pursuant to Article 59, 61 and 62 of the IHR.”
“Finally, we reiterate that nothing in this resolution and its annex should be construed as expanding the authority of WHO and other international organizations to the detriment of the sovereignty of the States Parties.”
We have work to do, again! And I need your help. These changes are signs of a broader agenda to centralize power and control, which the globalists at the WHO and UN want to ram down our throats.
Together, we have already made significant strides against the Pandemic Treaty, serving as the loudest voices exposing the WHO’s agenda. All it takes is a letter from the Government of Canada to the WHO, stating that the recently proposed amendments shall not apply to Canada.
Time to fight for control over our lives again, like we don’t have other things to do!
Toronto
once again shows the
world that fashion lives here!
African Fashion Week Toronto 2024
and summer clothing for both women and men.
sydnee@carib101.com
While Black-owned business brands have always been around, the number of Blackowned businesses started seeing a higher increase in the late 2010s, and there’s no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
The High Fashion Designer Showcases and the AFWT (African Fashion Week Toronto) Runway Show was the place to be on August 23rd, 2024. The fashion show saw Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge and Dundas Square) convert into a runway, where models strutted, wearing clothing designed by talented local Black designers.
African Fashion Week Toronto (AFWT) is a not-for-profit initiative started in 2012 by Isaac Ansah to provide a platform for Black models, designers and creatives to succeed in the fashion industry.
During the daytime, the first part of the fashion show presented just the models strutting down the runway. As daytime transitioned into nighttime, the second half turned into a Rip The Runway-style, consisting of models walking down the runway while a singing or dancing performance took place.
With the event all about highlighting the designs of crafted Black designers, here’s a list of the brands featured in this year’s fashion show:
Remmy Tee: Remmy Tee’s brand specializes in high-quality scarves designed from 100 percent mulberry silk, known for being more: progressing, smoother, lighter and more durable, unlike other types. The scarves are also natural, breathable, and supple on the skin.
House of Filyfing: The vision of Rabiya Tou’s brand is to celebrate the power of appearance. For women, looks can be a key to unlocking opportunities where only impressions matter. The brand worships the essence of being a woman and the impact of female empowerment through formal and semi-formal clothing with an African touch.
Mia Swim Wear: Although Fall is around the corner, summer is still in full swing with the Mia Swim Wear brand. Designed by Mia Swim Wear, the summer-themed brand has the perfect blend of sophisticated swimwear
Kurve Kouture: Kurve Kouture is a Nigerianbased clothing brand for curvy women who are proud of their figures and enjoy flaunting their curves. The formal pieces empower curvy women to wear stylish and sophisticated clothing, allowing their natural confidence to shine.
Omomamae Koncept and Clothing (OMK): Omomamae Koncept and Clothing (OMK) is an established premier fashion brand by Adesanmi Oluwagbnega. The unisex fashion brand sells clothing for every occasion: elegant suits, casual wear, traditional attire and contemporary pieces. Since its establishment in 2008, OMK captured widespread recognition in numerous fashion shows and earned countless awards for its designs.
Ambition: Created by the founder of the African Fashion Week Toronto initiative, Isaac Ansah, Ambition is a newly-founded brand created to represent: inspiration, success and growth. The clothing brand specializes in comforting everyday loungewear with a stylish touch.
NUYU by Stacey: Although Stacey-Ann Vassell’s line designs clothing for women and children of all shapes and sizes, the children’s line is the most captivating. The brand, which stands for Never Underestimate Your Uniqueness, sells luxurious casual and semiformal clothing, allowing women and children to stay stylish no matter how simple the design is.
QueenFecy: Queen Fecy, a Nigerian-born fashion designer, has a fashion brand that represents more than just fashion alone. Her formal fashion brand, QueenFecy, speaks for her work as a public speaker, philanthropist, and advocate for empowering Black people and youth through all aspects.
The runway show wasn’t all to look forward to that day. In between showcases, acclaimed singers of Black heritage performed a medley of their hits throughout the show. The roster of artists the audience got to be entertained by included: B’Kem, Cobby Kai, Sophia, DT the Artist, and Silla.
The event’s official presenter, Shark Beauty, did a giveaway where audience members could go home with a Shark Beauty product. All they had to do was compete in a series of challenges.
Toronto once again shows the world that fashion lives here!
The Power of Pan Music; World Steelpan Day
PAUL JUNOR
paul@carib101.com
It was on July 24th, 2023, that the United Nation declared August 11th, as World Steelpan Day. The United Nations states, “The steelpan possesses cultural and historical significance and correlates to cultural, social and economic development. It has the potential in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, through its use in sectors such as: tourism, culture, education, as well as: science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.” The website elaborates, “Acknowledging that the steelpan promotes inclusive societies, sustainable communities and the creative economy and can have a positive impact on mental health and
well-being calls on stakeholders to observe World Steelpan Day, through activities aimed at raising awareness of the: cultural and historical significance of the steelpan as well as its link to sustainable development.”
In Trinidad and Tobago, World Steelpan Day is celebrated under the theme, “From Roots to Recognition: Steelpan’s Journey to Global Acclaim.” There was a procession titled, “Ancestral Walk” from the birthplace of the steelpan which originated in East Port of Spain. Eleven single bands from different parts of Trinidad and Tobago participated in the procession. They included Spree Simon Harmonics, Uni Stars Steel Orchestra, Nostrand Symphony Steel Orchestra, La Famille United Steel Orchestra, Chord Masters, San Juan East Side Symphony Steel Orchestra, Pan Elites Steel Orchestra, LA Romaine Super Vibes Steel Orchestra, Jah Roots Steel band and Pan Angels Steel Orchestra. There was a culminating event held at 5:00 p.m. at Woodford Square in Port of Spain graced by pan aficionados from all across the world as well as video performances from many countries.
In a press release from Pan Trinbago, it states, “This international participation will
enrich the festival, highlighting the steelpan’s global significance and fostering connections between local and international pan communities.” Dr. Rawlins, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago as well as Minister Randall of Tourism, Culture and Arts were in attendance. The press release notes further that there were performances from the following steelpan: National Steel Symphony Orchestra Panasonic Connection Steel Orchestra, Massy Trinidadian All Stars Orchestra, bp Renegades Steel Orchestra, Pan Elders Steel Orchestra, Shee Invaders Steel Orchestra, Republic Band Exodus Steelband and Desperadoes Steel Orchestra.
In Toronto, on Saturday, August 10th there was an open concert free to the public at the Amphitheatre HW Patio at the University of Toronto campus It was sponsored by Dr. Healing Place, and it was promoted on their FB page as a last lap time to round off the Caribana season? It notes, “Come and enjoy the incredible live music, a drumming circle, and a fashion show with a message, as well as some of your favorite Trini food, snacks, and local vendors. Bring your family and friends and your favorite travel chair or picnic blanket so you stay a while.”
There was a performance by Dr. Roz and Sistas. In a FB post on Monday, August 12th Dr. Roz noted, “There is no denying it, everyone had goosebumps hearing the music from #Dr. RozAndSistas on steelpan! WHY is such a powerful song. It challenges all the isms and speaks to the existential question that we have all had at least once in our lives-WHY am I here? Amrit Samaroo did such a phenomenal job arranging @SistasCalling music for steelpan and @SupernovasTT did a beautiful job performing it for us yesterday. Thank you @iflycaribbean for flying the band all the way from #TrinidadAndTobago!”
In Toronto, World Steelpan Day was celebrated on Sunday, August 12th, 2024, at the Pan Fantasy Pan yard located at 40 Carl Road in Downsview Park, near the intersection of Keele St and Sheppard Avenue. There were several local steel pans orchestras which performed in the evening such as: Pan Fantasy, Fanatics, Afropan, New Dimensions, Panmasters. Silhouette’s Steel Orchestra, the Rhythm. There was also a performance from Dance Caribe Performing Company and a feature performance from FC Supernovas from Trinidad and Tobago.
Controversy about fluoride isn’t new, and it continues to resurface
SIMONE SMITH
Greetings, everyone! Today, we’re diving into a topic that has sparked a lot of discussions over the years: fluoride. Most of us have heard about the benefits of fluoride for dental health. It’s been praised for its ability to prevent tooth decay and strengthen enamel, which is why it’s commonly found in our toothpaste and even added to our drinking water. Dentists and public health officials often recommend it as a safe and effective way to maintain oral health, especially in communities where access to regular dental care might be limited. Sounds great, right?
Absolutely! Fluoride has been a significant player in reducing cavities, particularly in children. Studies have shown that since the introduction of fluoride into public water supplies, there’s been a noticeable decrease in dental issues across various populations. This is why
It was an historic and significant day at the City of Brampton City Hall on Sunday, August 10th, 2024, when the Region of Peel launched its first B3 Fund.
It was over four years ago in June 2020 that Peel Region’s Council approved Resolution 2020-1448. This resolution affirms its commitment to address systemic discrimination by supporting policies, equitable funding, and programs that address the inequities faced by the Black community and other organized groups in Peel. This resulted in the formation of the Community Investment Program, which received formal support from the: Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism Committee as well as the
it’s considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.
Fluoride, a mineral, is naturally present in many foods and available as a dietary supplement. Fluoride is the ionic form of the element fluorine, and it inhibits, or reverses the initiation and progression of dental caries (tooth decay) and stimulates new bone formation.
Soil, water, plants, and foods contain trace amounts of fluoride. Most of the fluoride that people consume comes from: fluoridated water, foods, and beverages prepared with fluoridated water. We already know that toothpaste and other dental products also contain fluoride.
However, as with many public health initiatives, there’s another side to the story. Controversy about fluoride isn’t new, and it continues to resurface. Some people argue that the addition of fluoride to water supplies might not be as safe as we’ve been led to believe. Concerns range from potential overexposure, which could lead to dental fluorosis—a condition that causes discoloration of the teeth—to more serious health concerns like possible links to bone health issues and even neurotoxicity.
That’s right. While the majority of health organizations worldwide, including: the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, maintain that fluoride levels in drinking water are safe and
beneficial, there are studies that suggest we should be cautious, especially concerning exposure levels in children, and vulnerable populations.
In 2015, U.S. officials lowered their recommendation for fluoride levels in drinking water to address a tooth condition called fluorosis, which can cause splotches on the teeth and was becoming more common in U.S. kids.
More recent research has pointed to a different problem, suggesting a link between higher levels of fluoride and brain development. Studies in animals showed fluoride could impact cell function in brain regions responsible for: learning, memory, executive function and behavior. A U.S. government report concluded that fluoride in drinking water at twice the recommended limit is linked with lower IQ in children.
The report, based on an analysis of previously published research, marks the first time a federal agency has determined — “with moderate confidence” — that there is a link between higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in kids. While the report was not designed to evaluate the health effects of fluoride in drinking water alone, it is a striking acknowledgment of a potential neurological risk from high levels of fluoride.
“I think this (report) is crucial in our understanding,” of this risk,” said Ashley Malin, a University of Florida researcher, who has stud-
ied the effect of higher fluoride levels in pregnant women on their children. “The findings from this report raise the questions about how these people can be protected and what makes the most sense.”
The report did not try to quantify exactly how many IQ points might be lost at different levels of fluoride exposure, but some of the studies reviewed in the report suggested IQ was two to five points lower in children who had higher exposures.
The report noted that about 0.6% of the U.S. population, roughly 1.9 million people are on water systems with naturally occurring fluoride levels of 1.5 milligrams or higher.
So, what should we make of all this? On one hand, we have substantial evidence supporting fluoride’s benefits for dental health. On the other, we have ongoing debates and concerns about its safety at certain levels. It seems the key takeaway is that, like with any public health measure, it’s important to stay informed, understand the science, and consider both the benefits and potential risks. It’s about balance and informed decision-making. For those with concerns, there are always alternatives, like using fluoride-free toothpaste, or drinking bottled water.
Thanks for shedding light on this topic! Remember, everyone, stay informed and make the best choice for your health and your family. Until next time, take care!
Regional Council in 2023.
The subsequent development of the B3 Funding Framework was intended to respond to Council’s recommendation to ensure Black-led and Black-led serving social service agencies in Peel are funded equitably through regional funding mechanisms. This funding framework for: Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving (B3) community agencies was projected to increase their capacity to deliver services in Peel. Some of the accomplishments of the Community Investment program inclu de:
• Development of an action plan in 2020 to use an equity lens to support thinking and discussion around equity within the CIP granting streams.
• Realignment of $1.3 million to the longterm and medium-term priorities of the COVID-19 pandemic to address racial and systemic discrimination. In 2020 and 2021, 35% and 37% of successful applicants for the Capacity and Change Fund were Blackled, Black-focused and Black-serving.
• Development and implementation of a new Service Provider Profile Section within GooGrants-Peel Region’s online grant
management platform in 2023 to collect key equity information.
There were several aspects to the plan which includes the following:
• B3 Advisory Board Creation
• B3 Funding Framework Development
• B3 Funding Implementation. The B3 Advisory Board is a community based social service agencies which consist of regional staff and others who have worked together to affect the following:
• Inform, educate, consult, and c-design the development of the B3 Funding Framework
• Ensure the: interests, perspectives, and needs of Black communities in Peel are reflected throughout the c-development process. There was a crude cross section of stakeholders including those from the 2LGBTQIA + food services.
Councillor Martin Reid states, “This was a long time coming. It’s just great to see so much thought put into supporting these grassroots organizations, which often don’t have formal non-profit status. This is an opportunity to not
only support those organizations, but also to coach them along the way.”
Councilor Reid is supportive of the work that Juliet Jackson, Peel Region’s Director of Culture & Inclusion is doing to ensure that these funding programs are available. In a released statement, she states, “The B3 Fund responds to historical funding disparities from all levels of government. We are proud to provide the necessary resources and support to foster measurable change within our community.”
Dogma Koy, Founder of Restoration and Empowerment for Social Transition Centre (REST) described the importance of the funding. She states, “REST Centres is excited about the 2024 B3 Fund. As Black youth continue to represent the largest youth population facing housing insecurity in Peel, this fund represents a crucial opportunity to bolster our core operation, allowing us to further our mission of supporting Black youth with greater effectiveness.” She elaborates further, “The potential impact of this funding will significantly strengthen our ability to deliver essential services and drive meaningful change in our community. We eagerly anticipate the transformative possibilities this support will bring.”
There is historical and ongoing oversight in philanthropic funding for African/Caribbean communities
SIMONE SMITH
simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
“It’s unfortunate, but not a lot of people want to see us grow.”
Anick Silencieux (Executive Director of Support Black Charities)
With August being Black Philanthropy Month, it is imperative to shed light on the critical issues of underfunding and inequity in philanthropic support for African/Caribbean communities. Interestingly enough this article is coming out on “Black Giving Day,” which happens to be the day that Martin Luther King delivered his “I Have a Dream,” delivered August 28th, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C. It also happens to be the day that while visiting family in Money, Mississippi, 14-year-old Emmett Till, an African/ American from Chicago, was brutally murdered for allegedly flirting with a White woman.
According to a 2020 report from the Foundation for Black Communities (FFBC), for every $100 donated by the top 15 Canadian foundations, a mere 0.07 cents went to African/Caribbean-led organizations—not even a full cent. Hmmmm!
Black Philanthropy Month is vital to address the significant disparities in funding and support that Black-led organizations face. The underfunding of African/ Caribbean-led organizations highlights systemic issues within the philanthropic sector. Despite the significant contributions of Black philanthropists and organizations to social justice, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, these organizations receive disproportionately low funding. This lack of financial support hampers their ability to make sustained impacts in their communities.
Statistics from the FFBC reveal that only 2.3% of philanthropic funding in Canada goes to racialized communities, with an even smaller fraction reaching Black communities. It is the reason that African Caribbean-led organizations face challenges in effectively showcasing the full scope and impact of their programs. This can severely limit their appeal to potential donors. To address this, Supporting Black Charities is committed to providing essential resources and specialized nonprofit services to help these organizations become donor, and investment ready.
However, these efforts represent only one side of the story—ensuring that these organizations are equipped with the tools to communicate their value is just as important as advocating for systemic change in the philanthropic landscape. By improving both internal capabilities and external perceptions, SBC aims to create a more supportive environment for African/Caribbean-led organizations to thrive and achieve lasting change.
“Donate Once, Impact Many!”
In response to the challenges faced by Blackled organizations in securing equitable funding, SBC launched the Global Black Philanthropy Initiative (GBPI). GBPI is essentially a “Cause Fund,” where supporters choose to donate to a cause identified by the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rather than a single organization. Funds received, after administrative costs are deducted, are evenly distributed to all organizations listed under the respective SDGs on the SBC website.
I had an opportunity to sit down and speak with Anick Silencieux, Founder and Executive Director of Support Black Charities (SBC, and she shared with me what inspired her to found Support Black Charities (SBC), and how its mission has evolved over time.
“I am the product of a non-profit environment. I believe strongly in work that is not for profit. I grew up in the community in Montreal, and my family was very involved,” Anick tells me. “I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but my family played a big role in the community. I also had an aunt in New York, and the same thing happened; I ended up working in the community. Now, I truly understand the power of working with likeminded people.”
This stuck with her throughout her career, and she continued to do work with community organizations. “I have always been inspired to support the Black business movement. It is about contributing to the life of the Black dollar in our community.”
“The first experience of Support Black Charities was a directory, which we tailored and began to vet the charities that became a part of the directory. It just continued to grow after that. I began to grow. During this time, I was working full time as an engineer, and when my position dissolved, I went into building Support Black Charities full force.”
“At first it was about enhancing visibility, now our focus is providing services that allow charities to remain sustainable. The MUSH group (Museums, Universities, Schools, and Hospitals) get all the money, and we are missing out on all the funding, because we don’t have these establishments. This is why I am so actively involved in the missions that are in the directory.”
“What are the key milestones or goals that SBC hopes to achieve in the next five years, Anick,” I asked?
“The philanthropic model is the rich give to the poor. I want to change this. I am talking about the triangle of success. How do we get our community to support ourselves? It is about re-imagining philanthropy in our community. We have to get more people interested in how they can help the community.”
“We want more organizations to live out longer. How do we continue to have the same generational impact? It is about creating pillars to support these organizations. How do we go from transactional to transformational? It is about being involved in someone’s success.”
While Monkeypox is a concern, is it spreading at a rate that should concern the world at large?
BY ADRIAN REECE
TORONTO CARIBBEAN REPORTER
COVID-19 shutdown the world for a few years and the reality of a pandemic now sits firmly in the minds and memories of people in every country. Fear and uncertainty replaced my disinterest and adaptability in the face of COVID-19. Humanity has carefully adapted to the realities of the disease.
Now another potential pandemic is on the rise. Facing the rise of monkeypox, which exploded all around the world in 2022. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), it is a public health emergency of international concern. While the mortality rate of Monkeypox has been 3-6% it has been as high as 11% historically. The infection ranges from less severe to deadly. Currently, the less deadly strain is the one that is circulating the globe.
There are two main strains of monkeypox: Clade 1 and Clade 2. Clade 1 is more deadly and causes severe illness and death. Some outbreaks have killed up to 10% of people who get sick. The Clade 1 is endemic around central Africa.
Most cases of Monkeypox get better on their own, so people generally do not seek treatment. It can last up to 21 days with weaker immune systems having trouble fighting off the infection and therefore remaining with it for a longer period.
These factors wouldn’t normally worry us, however after enduring the lockdown of COVID-19, any mention of a potential pandemic worries people. We as a citizen begin to think about what measures we will potentially have to take and how it is going to impact our lives going forward. The vaccines or medicine that we will be coerced into taking, in the face of losing our jobs, livelihoods,
homes and autonomy. The word pandemic is now synonymous with control and a loss of freedom, especially in Western society where we enjoy the benefits of freedom in every aspect of our lives. Once you have enough money to do what you want, the West becomes a veritable amusement park where everything is your way.
People are skeptical in the face of pandemic precautions and direction. The Covid information and mandates that were given out, ended up proving conspiracy theories correct. Mask mandates, six feet apart, and quarantining were measures we were forced to take. Vaccines that ultimately did not protect the recipient in the manner that they were supposed to further break down the trust in public medicine. Any measures that the CDC (Centre for Disease Control), or WHO attempts to implement in the face of a Monkeypox pandemic, or any pandemic will
be met with pushback, as people are not in a hurry to give up their rights and freedoms again especially if there is too much controversy surrounding the disease itself. While Monkeypox is a concern, is it spreading at a rate that should concern the world at large? The WHO and CDC have lost a lot of trust from the world as a whole, therefore it is harder to trust their judgment in the face of new medical dangers. Losing the trust of the people can be dangerous, but it may be even more dangerous to continue to put our faith in organizations that have lied to the world, and potentially profit off of the needs of people. Vaccine companies and the pharmaceutical companies that are intertwined in the “well-being” of society in regards to a Global pandemic will always leave room for skepticism and distrust.
The number of deaths caused by mpox is minuscule compared to the number of deaths caused by other diseases common to Africa
SIMONE SMITH
“This is about selling more stuff, not health equity.”
Dr. David Bell (Public Health Physician and Biotech Consultant)
In today’s digital age, it has never been more crucial to be discerning about the information we consume on social media. The content we encounter shapes our beliefs, influence our choices, and impact our lives in ways we may not even realize.
What I’m about to share with you is poised to become a significant topic of discussion, and it’s essential that you are well-informed and prepared. By equipping yourself with knowledge and engaging in thoughtful research, you can make educated decisions that protect and benefit both you and your family.
There is reportedly a mounting mpox outbreak in Africa, which apparently constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Wednesday August 14th, 2024.
“The picture of how mpox is spreading is complex. The main mode of transmission is through close physical contact, which drives spread in households, for instance,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s acting interim director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention (EPPP). “The virus, and especially clade 1b, is also spreading through sexual networks. To a lesser extent, transmission from contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids is also driving cases,” she added.
The declaration hinged on advice from an emergency committee that the WHO assembled to discuss an unprecedented surge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has now spilled into adjacent countries. Mpox cases were already rising in the DRC in 2023, but now they have reportedly skyrocketed — more than 14,000 cases have been reported so far in 2024, exceeding last year’s total count.
“In the view of all members, it was unanimous that the current outbreak of mpox is an extraordinary event,” shared Dr. Dimie Ogoina, a physician-scientist and the chair of
the 15-member emergency committee, said during a virtual news conference. “One big factor in the decision was that we’re having the highest number of cases ever reported in the DRC. What we have in Africa is actually the tip of the iceberg,” Dr. Ogoina said, citing major gaps in diagnostic testing. “We don’t have the full picture of this burden of mpox.”
Sigh! I want to let everyone know that this is the second time in two years that the WHO has declared mpox a “Public health emergency of international concern,” which is its highest form of an alert.
This is the eighth public health emergency the WHO has declared since 2007, when it substantially revised its International Health Regulations (IHR). Critics have called the process for designating such an emergency “non-transparent and contradictory.”
In July 2022, the WHO declared mpox a global emergency after reporting the disease had spread to more than 70 countries, mostly affecting gay and bisexual men. At the time, the WHO made the declaration unilaterally, in direct contradiction to independent review panel advice. The 2022 outbreak reportedly affected nearly 100,000 people, primarily gay and bisexual men, in 116 countries and about 200 people died.
While during my research I learned that the number of deaths caused by mpox is minuscule compared to the number of deaths caused by other diseases common to Africa, such as tuberculosis and malaria.
“Although the actual numbers are unclear,” David Bell (Public Health Physician and Biotech Consultant) said, “WHO claims about 500 deaths from Mpox this year in DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo]. That is about how many people die of tuberculosis every 4 hours.” By overly focusing on mpox, David explained, “The WHO is diverting funding from addressing these other diseases and ‘very basic’ issues affecting DRC residents’ health, such as sanitation and nutrition.”
The WHO is now working to increase the availability of mpox vaccines in Africa by securing deals with manufacturers and donations from countries with existing stockpiles. They’re working with the makers of vaccines called MVA-BN (which is marketed as Jynneos in the U.S.) and LC16, which is produced by the government of Japan.
Last week, the WHO triggered the process to grant Emergency Use Listing to two mpox vaccines,
although it didn’t name which ones it would list. The agency also invited manufacturers of mpox vaccines to submit an “expression of interest” for Emergency Use Listing.
The DRC, where the outbreak is concentrated and most severe, have approved the two vaccines — Japan’s LC16 and Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos, which is also marketed as Imvamune and Imvanex. Surprise, surprise. Stock prices for mpox vaccine maker Bavarian Nordic surged after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency. The company’s share prices jumped 17% in early trading in Copenhagen, Forbes reported, after climbing 12% when the WHO made its announcement.
Interesting, isn’t it! I discovered a group, “The South Africa Vaccine Injury Medico-Legal StudyGroup (SAVIMS),” and they pointed out some pertinent facts:
1. There is no prescribed vaccine with documented Level 1 scientific evidence for monkeypox. The current WHO-recommended live virus vaccines, Jynneos and ACAM2000, are:
• (a) intended for smallpox and are thus experimental for monkeypox;
• (b) have reported serious adverse effects, and;
• (c) contain live viral strains which may instigate a resurgence of the eradicated smallpox virus.
2. The potential use of mRNA vaccines. There is no scientific evidence supporting the use of any mRNA vaccine to prevent or mitigate any infectious disease. The observed data of adverse reactions to experimental mRNA vaccines far outweighs any benefit.
3. Informed consent is an ethical concept that is codified in the law and is in daily practice at every healthcare institution. Three fundamental criteria are needed for clinical informed consent: the patient must be competent, adequately informed and not coerced. It is not possible for any recipient of these vaccines to receive legitimate informed consent based on current research.
4. The statistics and analysis, regarding the collated monkeypox data in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries in Africa by the WHO, warrant further investigation and must be independently audited.
5. There have been no autopsy re -
ports published on the deaths related to monkeypox. The lack of formal documented autopsy, lack of information regarding equipment test sensitivities and specificities, and lack of information on procedures validating random collation of data, further reduces and invalidates the authenticity of the statistics.
SAVIMS has since then put out a position statement regarding emergency monkeypox vaccine rollout in Africa, “We have reviewed the literature and analyzed the data on monkeypox, as well as its etiopathogenesis. Based on our understanding of this disease:
1. We do not support the Africa CDC and WHO declaration of a global health emergency for monkeypox.
2. It is established that monkeypox is predominantly a self-limiting condition. This does not warrant vaccine intervention.
3. We strongly object, based on the scientific evidence, to the “emergency” rollout of repurposed smallpox vaccines or any other proposed monkeypox vaccine to the people of Africa.
4. We question the authenticity of the number of deaths associated with monkeypox, as reported by the Africa CDC unless it can be verified through autopsy.
5. We warn members of the public about the inherent risks of taking any vaccine, including those proposed for mpox, of which the effectiveness and safety have not been reliably determined by Level 1 clinical trials. There can be no justification for a vaccine with unknown adverse effects.
6. We urge the public to exercise their inherent human rights to refuse to give consent to any medical intervention that they do not feel comfortable taking.
This is how the last global pandemic began: it started in one place, and before we knew it, we were locked down in our homes, masked up, and restricted to going out at specific times—a scenario that felt like a modern form of enslavement. Let this story serve as a warning. There are developments on the horizon that will impact us right here in Canada. Arm yourself with the truth and learn to navigate the media’s narratives. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and be prepared for what lies ahead.
Parking lot closures are just another step in the road to 15-Minute Cities
SIMONE SMITH
simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
When we reported a few months ago, about a situation at Jane and Finch where city planners were about to change the landscape from mall to living spaces omitting parking spaces in favor of bicycle racks, we were not joking.
In the Jane and Finch Mall article, the planners made sure to highlight the need for a lot of outdoor “parks-space”. They also mention that the focus was community-based with lots of room to walk around and bike to and from.
The family and community are always used as a scapegoat to bring about what is undoubtedly a sinister climate change agenda. Such is the case of a parking lot at Car Park 246 – 31 Blackthorn Avenue and a community church named Cornerstone Baptist Tabernacle in the same area.
The pitch here is that TPA aka Toronto Parking Authority will be decommissioning Car
Park 246 and returning the lands in base condition to Parks, Forestry, and Recreation (PFR) for the creation of a new linear park under PFR’s management. TPA would exit the site and no longer be involved in the day-to-day operations.
There has been a request from local businesses, neighboring properties, and Cornerstone Baptist Tabernacle to maintain the existing Car Park for businesses and places of worship. Toronto Parking Authority plans to remove all existing fixtures from the property –including, but not limited to, light fixtures, payment machines, medallions, etc. TPA to cease all operations on site: enforcement, customer service, maintenance, payment collection, etc.
Even though Cornerstone Baptist Tabernacle has asked to assume maintenance responsibility it will cost them an estimated license cost: $1,575 (per month) – approximately and based on the current market rate. The church must confirm and negotiate with Hydro One (charitable discount applied). The church would be responsible for any license negotiations on an ongoing basis, as well as being responsible for all operations: enforcement, rate setting, payment collection, maintenance, etc. Finally, they would be responsible for: maintaining insurance. All these requirements are still pending approval.
The Ward 9 community has collected signatures and petitioned the parking lot au-
thorities, but judging from the reply they got, that could be falling on deaf ears. Davenport’s Councilor Alejandra Bravo said Hydro had provisions in place that would have allowed leasing by churches and other non-profits, but this was blocked because of plans that were there long before she took office.
Even after Reverend Patrick Reid and church members of Cornerstone Baptist Tabernacle highlighted the plight of elderly members who need easy access to the church, and members who are using walkers and canes, this seems not enough to change the dead set mindset that Toronto City Planners are on.
To wrap this up, let’s just look at what is taking place from a vehicular point of view worldwide. It is common knowledge that those in public office are pushing climate change and greenhouse gas agendas. For this to take hold all gasoline vehicles must slowly, but surely be retired. Readers, are you getting the picture yet?
The committee for Sidney Australia is announcing that it plans to end the sale of all gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2027, “If our city is to meet emission reduction goals.” Sounds familiar? The report is called Decarbonizing Sidney.
London England now has what is called the ULEZ or Ultra Low Emission Zone, which was first implemented in 2019 in central London. This scheme charged drivers 12
pounds 50, if their car was considered old like pre-2005, and as time goes by the scheme is being expanded to the whole of Greater London.
This gets worse. If you have a truck, or goods-carrying vehicle, you will have to pay 300 pounds per day to enter the greater London area. All this is designed to discourage driving, period.
Scotland is also into climate change and the clean air scam. While most citizens were busy being distracted over the last four years, compromised governments worldwide were busy introducing their new “Transport Act 2000” to get cars and most gasoline vehicles off the road. It is very simple, there is no need for parking spaces if there are no vehicles.
“Road User Charging Scheme Regulations 2013” is also one of the tools used to accomplish this fraud on vehicle owners, so do you think Canada will not participate? Do you think that a compromised council will disclose this information to you?
Do you know who is behind Agenda 21 and 30? If you are still wondering why these parking lots are being closed Reverend Reid, and community members, then consider this article your assignment. With Agenda 2021 and 2030 in hand, I suggest you follow the rubric carefully.
The power of misinformation: Unraveling the UK riots
BY KAHA GEDI
JUNIOR TC COLUMIST
The UK riots were violent events that spread across several cities, so bad that it had “Crossed the threshold of terrorism.” These riots not only demonstrated how quickly misinformation can lead to chaos, but also exposed deeper societal problems, such as: Islamophobia, hatred towards immigrants, and a lack of understanding. As false information circulated, it fueled increased hostility towards Muslim and immigrant communities, worsening the situation. This report will examine the causes of the riots, detail what occurred during them, and explore the lessons learned, particularly how misinformation and prejudice can damage society.
The murder of three young girls in Southport, by a 17-year-old
This all started with the violent murder of three young girls in a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. It was reported that a 17-year-old, who now goes by the name of Axel Rudakubana stabbed: Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, with a kitchen knife after entering the class on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside around 11:50 a.m. local time on Monday, July 29th, 2024. Eight other children had knife wounds, with five of them left in a critical condition, as well as two adults.
Axel Rudakubana is a 17-year-old who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, and possession of a bladed article (knife). The reason why I’m mentioning his background is that there were rumours of a Muslim Immigrant who committed this horrible crime when in reality it was Axel.
Fake news channel reports a Muslim immigrant killed them
The fake website Channel3Now amplified one of the first accounts on X (or Twitter) called “Artemisfornow” that the murder suspect went by the name of Ali Al-Shakati. This person claimed that he was an asylum seeker who came to the UK by boat last year and that he was on the M16 watchlist, which means he could be a possible terrorist. However, the police stated that this was false, and that this was not the suspect they had in custody.
Channel3Now has only made things worse by reporting the same misinformation on their website, which was taken down and
apologized for on July 31st, 2024. Despite being proven wrong, the riots still took place in full force, to stand against the Muslim and immigrant communities. This shows how much damage misinformation can cause, and that it’s only proven wrong when it’s too late.
Times Radio has said on Facebook that this rumour was false, because the alleged Ali Al-Shakati (stabber), is 17 years old, and his name could not be disclosed because he’s a minor. Also, what was suspicious about Channel3Now was that underneath every article the author just stated their organization’s name, and that caused concern, because if they were a real news outlet they would have actual names of authors working for them.
Before the Ali Al-Shakati rumours ended, there were two main influencers responsible for riling up the people to take action, and they were none other than Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate.
The role of Tommy Robinson, and Andrew Tate
Tommy Robinson or Stephen Yaxley Lennon an anti-Islam campaigner and convicted criminal (for causing a breach of peace) is one of the UK’s biggest Far Right activists who has peddled the hate and misinformation spread on social media. They have been heard to say things like “We have to stop radical Muslims, we have to stop Islam,” and have gained quite a bit of followers worldwide.
According to CBC, Thomas Daigle explains that “Tommy Robinson has been laying the groundwork for anger, especially towards Muslims and immigrants for his followers for years now, and all that was needed was a spark, and sadly that came last week with the mass stabbing and the deaths of three young children in Southport, England.”
He continues saying, “And what did Tommy Robinson say about all this, unapologetically, ‘don’t say I didn’t warn you.’” Where was Tommy when all of these riots were happening, well, “He was thousands of kilometers away posting about these riots from the beach soaking up the sun in Greece and Cyprus.”
Andrew Tate contributed to starting this riot by stating, “So an undocumented migrant decided to go to a Taylor Swift dance class today, and stab six little girls. I don’t see any protests in the UK. I don’t see anybody complaining. Nobody’s outside of the school, no one is outside of the police station. I don’t know what it’s gonna take for Western civilization to wake the f*** up. Your enemies are not
far away, it’s domestic, they’ve been invited in by treasonist politicians.”
The riots - Wednesday, July 31st
This misinformation caused unrest on the streets of Downing Street. According to Channel 4 News, before 7:00 PM the protesters stayed in an agreed perimeter, however after they started to break out of that and started throwing flares and dispersing out to the Churchill Statue nearby. They began throwing railings and drinks toward the officers, and this resulted in more than one hundred people being arrested for many offences that evening such as: violent disorder, assaulting officers, possessing class-A drugs, and carrying knives and other weapons.
In Aldershot, a mob protest happened outside a hotel housing asylum seeker causing criminal damage, racist abuse, and intimidation. In Manchester, outside another hotel housing asylum seekers people threw bricks and bottles at police. In Hartlepool, many were arrested after officers were attacked, a police van was set on fire, and local shops were vandalized.
On Friday, August 2nd, 2024, crowds gathered in Sunderland, bricks were thrown at police outside protecting a mosque, and cars and buildings were burned. Throughout the weekend, August 3rd and 4th, 2024 in: Bristol, Belfast, Hull, Blackpool, Newcastle, Leeds, StokeOn-Trent, Manchester, Liverpool and many other places hundreds of people were pushed back by police from the mosques they were attacking, so they directed their fury to libraries: lighting fireworks, breaking windows, ransacking the place, throwing furniture at police, petrol bombs were thrown, vehicles attacked and a hotel in Rotherham set on fire.
BBC reported protesters saying “Allah Hu Akbar.”
The BBC reported that the counter-protesters, like those who are protecting their mosques are chanting “Allah Hu Akbar,” which the West views as a war cry, someone inciting violence, and they have absolutely no idea what it means. In reality, all that means is “God is the greatest.” On the contrary, the protesters are chanting despicable racist chants like “Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah,” and things like “Pakis Out.” The contrast in chants is strikingly clear, and a news outlet like the BBC should not be showing only one side of the chants.
The aftermath
These rioters have caused so much damage to their cities. People are trying to rebuild the damage done to mosques and other shops that were targeted. Channel 4 News interviewed someone who lives in the hotels that had been attacked, and they stated that “There is no humanity, they are like zombies, they burn, they want to kill, they make like that (draw a straight line over their neck gesturing I’m gonna kill you), they say we are going to catch you and if we don’t catch you today we will catch you tomorrow, and if we don’t catch you tomorrow we will catch you after one week. We are thinking that we are gonna die, and we need them to leave us alone.”
Next, they interviewed some locals nearby who said, “I could not believe this morning that this is where I’m from, and I was crying my eyes out yesterday watching it and thinking about the people inside, like that is not a way to treat a human.”
Another witness noted, “It makes me sad to be English really, because this is the kind of people that people all over the world are going to see of us.”
The UK riots, triggered by false information and deep-seated biases, show how dangerous misinformation can be. The violence, which followed a tragic stabbing incident, was fueled by incorrect reports and prejudice against Muslim and immigrant communities.
The actions of extremists do not represent the views of everyone in the UK. Many people in the country are actively working to combat hate and support their communities. Figures like Tommy Robinson and his followers need to understand that not all Muslims are extremists, and not all immigrants are illegal. Everyone, regardless of their background, has the right to live peacefully and be treated with respect.
As the affected communities work to recover, it’s important to learn from these events. We must verify information before sharing it, show empathy to all individuals, and hold media and influencers accountable for accurate reporting. Only by addressing these issues can we hope to prevent similar tragedies in the future and build a more understanding society.
MICHAEL THOMAS
michael@carib101.com
TC
REPORTER
From fact-checking to cognitive injections: The race to control our minds is in full force
You know you are in trouble when your government in combination with Big Pharma has spent $100 million to create what they called “cognitive vaccines” aka mind-controlling injections to keep you stupid and quiet.
All this is done with the narrative of protecting the public from what these leaders deemed a mix of propaganda and dissenting viewpoints.
Recently a group of doctors and other professionals, who have been canceled and ridiculed for their descending views against governments and their health narratives, discussed
From fact-checking to
cognitive injections: The race to control our minds is in full force
what’s at stake.
Speaking on the constant censoring and so-called fact-checking that has taken over the internet, “We’d like to restructure consensus-building so that … governance represents the people,” Nicole Shanahan, a Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur said.
Speaking on the plans to inject folks with views that go against the government narrative, Mike Benz, a former U.S. Department of State official said, “They have glitzy 10-minute promo videos,” describing attempts to create psychological inoculations against what authorities deem “fake news.”
Again, you know you are in serious trouble when your government takes preemptive measures against folks just asking relevant questions, or questions in general.
Canada has become such a place where the government is taking preemptive actions to discredit dissenting voices regularly. A case in point is Trudeau’s regime’s new internet laws and Bills. Canada, like a lot of other places, for decades has had its fair share of haters but recently, it has now become clear to Trudeau after successfully removing his political cataract at the WEF (World Economic Forum), that his country needs strong hate speech Bills.
Among other things discussed at this forum was how: de-platforming, narrative control, and censorship have contributed to a loss of faith in traditional media outlets that were once viewed as trusted and unbiased.
It is indeed a scary thing when government agencies team up with tech giants and academic institutions to control information flow like we are witnessing in real-time. Imagine resurrecting techniques like the McCarran Internal Security Act, which was passed in the 1950s, to now use on a new perceived threat, the citizens.
All this, according to Benz, is because those in power do not want the civilian class to speak freely online for fear of losing control of this order. One of the tools that has been used heavily in the last four years to control what can be debated online is fact-checking.
This is a favourite tool of those who are specialists in hiding the facts. Let’s have a look at how this is extremely destructive to any democracy, who is funding the lies, and suppressing the truth.
Imagine FactCheck.org, the same folks that canceled you for questioning the COVID narrative, is being funded and supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a
philanthropic organization funded by pharmaceutical giant and vaccine maker Johnson & Johnson (J&J). Well, this was reported by YouTube commentator Jimmy Dore, “These fact check organizations are not there to check facts, they are there to push a political point of view and an agenda and to discredit people.”
These two fraternities, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) are in bed with each other to the point of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation holding nearly $2 billion in J&J stock, while factchecking you the citizens.
Even search engine giant Google is in on the action. In 2018, Google invested $27,000,000 in Vaccitech to make vaccines for flu, and MERS. Vaccitech calls itself “The future of mass vaccine production.” Although Google claims to promote politically and commercially neutral searches, when independent-minded people try Googling COVID-19 injection safety, they are guided in the direction of Big Pharma lies daily.
So, next time your comments are factchecked, do a bit of research as to who is really behind the fact-checking, and funding. You might just be unpleasantly surprised.
A decade of building together! The 2024 NexGen Builders Annual Retreat
SIMONE SMITH
simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
“TCBN and our pre-apprenticeship training delivery partners are thrilled that you will be joining us at our NexGen Builders Annual Retreat at Polonia Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake.”
I was thrilled to receive this email from Dwayne Rutherford, trusted advisor in strategic event planning at Debonair Corporate Events, your premier destination for excellence in event planning and management services. With over two decades of management expertise, and armed with industry-leading certifications, he has a deep understanding of the intricacies required to satisfy the highest levels of corporate leadership. Specializing in; elite conferences, AGM’s, award ceremonies, and gala events,
ers Annual Retreat that was held on August 24th, 2024, at 7:00am - 8:30pm Polonia Park, Niagara on the Lake. The day started off with a pickup of attendees at: Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN), The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO), and The Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF). The attendees were going to spend an informative, and unforgettable day at Niagara On The Lake and participate in “A Decade of Building Together!” Rain or shine, the hosts ensured that the day consisted of education, networking, and entertainment. Organizations like the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) have been instrumental in building a legacy for the next generation of construction trades workers and professionals. Through initiatives like NexGen, TCBN provides valuable: training, mentorship, and networking opportunities that empower young people, helping them develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in their chosen trades.
By championing African Caribbean leaders and investing in the growth of young tradespeople, TCBN ensures a more inclusive and dynamic future for the construction industry, paving the way for economic growth and community development.
Supporting African Caribbean leaders in the construction and skilled trades industry is crucial for fostering: diversity, inclusion, and equitable opportunities within the sector. These leaders bring unique perspectives, experiences, and skills that enrich the industry and serve as role models for young people begin -
tem sets its financial values, its determination of who, what, where, and when ethnic businesspeople can get loans or financial assistance.
Social Assistance is not socialist, but an effort on the part of the private sector to placate those: unemployed, handicapped, or homeless who would protest their lot, and even turn to violence to get fair play form their own society. Keeping our disaffected members of society somewhat happy, less angry is what it is all about. Not charity, not empathy but corporate survival techniques.
Can we demand of our governments a new way to carry out their obligatory jobs? A revolution in socio-economic thought is required.
Local-regional and national governments need to actually build homes. Building starts controlled by private concerns are slow and highly expensive. If affordable housing can become a reality our local government needs to do the building in competition with the developers of the area. Competition is supposed to happen within our capitalistic state, but instead price gouging, price setting is all the fad.
ning their careers in skilled trades. Participants at the NexGen Builders Retreat were involved in a mentorship program that was formulated to foster the next generation of construction trades workers and professionals. TCBN has: 16 online mentee training sessions, six online peer mentor/ mentor training sessions, 11 construction unions participating, and over 250 mentees and mentors participating. Many of them are currently working in the construction sector, have completed a construction apprenticeship, or are experienced professionals in the industry.
The Peer Mentors, which were an important part of the day’s activities, had at least a 2nd year apprentice and were recognized as leaders in their field. They had committed at least one year with the program, and understand the challenges underrepresented groups face and want to see them succeed in the construction industry
On Saturday, you’re not going to believe this! I was stuck in the worst traffic on the QEW. It was completely ridiculous. I swear, it was like the universe didn’t want me to make it to this retreat on time! I thought I had left early enough to avoid all that! I did, but then there was this huge accident, and it was just bumperto-bumper. I was annoyed, because I was really looking forward to the first part of the retreat, but I guess it was out of my hands now.
I got there just in time for lunch and some of the group activities (volleyball, soccer - scorekeeper, masseuse, crafting/building). In the afternoon, I was invited to accompany the
In order for local governments to build needed building starts, local and regional governments need to set up their own banks, independent of the giant banks that control our financial institutions. Monopolies like the banking system need to be ended. The City of Rochester has considered just such a project.
If a local government finds the need to hire essential service professionals to achieve better, quicker and more customer service-oriented professionalism, so be it. Cost must be applied to the tax base without any concern to a politician’s electoral demise, or success. If it needs to happen, make it so.
mentors and mentees to their afternoon activities that included: a visit to Niagara Falls for the Maid of the Mist, Beer tastings, and the one that I chose, which was a wine tour at Peller Estates.
Another incredible community building aspect of this retreat was the fact that the organizers were able to connect with the owner of Falcon Inn, a now African owned hotel located in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Falcon Inn is ranked among the best and cheapest hotels Niagara Falls, Canada, offering you the most enchanting opportunity to unwind and succumb to the unmatched grandeur of Niagara Falls. The hotel is conveniently located on the historic Lundy’s Lane of Niagara Falls and tourist area, only two miles from: the Guarantee Stampworld – famous Niagara Falls, Casino Niagara, Canada’s No. 1 factory outlet and other attractions such as: Marineland Niagara Falls, Niagara Go-Karts and Niagara Square Shopping Mall of Niagara Falls.
Even though I had to leave early to attend another event, I was pleased to have an opportunity to network with mentors and mentees at the event. Exciting news! New mentees and mentors registered to TCBN programs were eligible for a full refund of the ticket price following their attendance at the retreat. That’s right, attendees got their money back. How amazing is that?
Thank you TCBN and Debonair Corporate Events for making this day a special one. Looking forward to NEXGEN 2025.
The private sector has held sway over our electoral process, our political leaders and the bureaucracy that they lead for too long. Our elected officials need the ability to advance societal needs above those of the wealthy, most powerful of corporations. Uncuffing our elected officials can allow them to advance the goals of society, whether that be: equality of pay, affordable housing, establishment of long-term employment over the trap of part time work, accessible non prejudicial banking systems, and so on.
Wonder why your local region cannot afford needed equipment, staff, or programs? Big business has had its way, either pressuring denying expenditures or demanding lower corporate taxes.
We cannot afford to shore up areas affected by flooding, effectively control wildfires, because corporations do not want to pay the taxes they should, fairly and equitable. Remember most money owned by persons and corporations lay in foreign offshore banks, out of reach of most government regulation. The private sector wants its cake, and then will eat it too.
What do large businesses always do? They bitch about taxes, government expenditures, those lazy welfare recipients, and so on. It is about time the public returns their anger, suspicions, and mistrust towards these faceless business organizations. Take them on. Allow your governments to break the multiple monopolies that exist in North America.
simone@carib101.com
Welcome back to Toronto Caribbean Newspaper Community Highlights! We’re thrilled to bring you the latest scoop on what’s hot and happening across the Greater Toronto Area in the coming weeks. Whether you’re looking for exciting events, community gatherings, or unique experiences, we’ve got you covered. Dive in, explore our curated list of happenings, and plan your next adventure in the vibrant GTA! Hey, if you are up to it, there are some adventures for my travelers out there.
19th Annual Caribbean Tales International Film Festival
Caribbean Tales presents the19th Annual Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, in-person on September 4th – 15th, 2024 at The Hub, 837 Dundas St. W., Toronto.
Discover powerful films that connect our cultural roots with personal well-being through the 2024 theme of HOME. Engage with filmmakers, dynamic discussions, and a vibrant community.
Get your festival pass or tickets for individual nights at The Hub, 837 Dundas St. W in Toronto – You can also watch online. Celebrate powerful stories that inspire, challenge, and unite us.
Passes + Info can be found at https://caribbeantalesfestival.com/
Hamilton Carnival: September 6th,7th, and 8th, 2024
As fall approaches, the vibes don’t stop, and neither does the jump-up! We’re excited to announce one more carnival event to keep the energy high—Hamilton’s first-ever Carnival! Get ready to experience an unforgettable celebration filled with vibrant music and electrifying performances. The lineup includes Susan G, Gunny, Eddie, Yellow, Iwer George, Marlo from St. Vincent, Connector, and Princess.
Toronto Caribbean Newspaper Community Highlights!
Join us in Hamilton for a day of pure carnival fun and culture you won’t want to miss!
Iconic Actress Kim Fields Partners with Stonefield Villa Resort to Launch Her Coffee Brand Signature Blends
Iconic actress and Director Kim Fields has announced an exciting partnership with Stonefield Villa Resort in Saint Lucia to introduce her Signature Blends by KF coffee brand as the resort’s new and official coffee offering.
This collaboration combines Kim Fields’s elegance and charm with Stonefield Villa Resort’s luxury and beauty, creating a unique and unforgettable experience for coffee enthusiasts. Kim Fields, known for her iconic roles in television shows such as “The Facts of Life,” “Living Single,” and the Netflix #1 comedy “The Upshaws,” has always been passionate about the Caribbean and specifically Stonefield Resort, which she calls home.
Fields’ venture into the world of coffee is a testament to her dedication to offering exceptional products that resonate with her fans and followers. Stonefield Villa Resort, known for its dramatic location at the base of the Pitons, is a stunning boutique property that offers spacious private villa accommodations overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It is a Black woman-owned resort that provides the perfect backdrop for launching The Signature Blends by KF coffee brand.
Signature Blends by KF debuts exclusively in the Caribbean at Stonefield Villa Resort, offering guests a taste of luxury and indulgence with every sip. From rich and robust blends to unique and flavorful profiles, Signature Blends by KF promises to elevate the coffee-drinking experience to new heights.
For more information about Signature Blends by KF and Stonefield Villa Resort, please visit https://www.signatureblendsbykf.com and https://www. stonefieldresort.com.
The Leadership by Design Program
program is now accepting applications. We are seeking to enroll academically promising students who are currently enrolled in Grade 10.
We need your help connecting with eligible students. Please share this information with your friends, families and networks.
Are you a parent of a Grade 10 child who self identifies as Black?
Have you always wished for an individual or organization to step in and add to your efforts to make your child successful?
Do you believe your child’s prospects for future success would be enhanced by the learning of leadership skills, an effective career-exploration program and the provision of opportunities which amplify your child’s talents and optimize their ambitions?
The Leadership by Design program provides these opportunities. Have your child apply for admission. Act now before the deadline of September 23rd, 2024. Leadership by Design - Application Guide 2024 Admissions
Launch of the World Mental Health Day Community Fund ChangeX, the community engagement platform, and Paramount Global, today announced the launch of the World Mental Health Day Community Fund, a new multi-region mental health and well-be
ing focused community fund.
The fund will support communities to start or expand projects that positively impact mental health and well-being in the: UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, Netherlands, France and Chile. Communities can apply for funding now through September 22nd, 2024, to encourage action to commence on World Mental Health Day on October 10th, 2024.
grants were provided to 22 non-profit organizations reaching young people across the country for local activations. The fund will support up to 200 community projects with grants of up to $2,000 USD available. Applicants can apply for funding for one of two options: to bring a proven mental health and wellbeing focused idea to life, such as mindful meals and sidewalk listening, or fund an original idea for a mental health and well-being focused community project.
Funding to adopt proven ideas will be allocated on a first-come, firstserved basis to qualifying applicants.
The World of Jazz Festival celebrates its 8th annual festival with 3 days of live, outdoor performances in Downtown Brampton
World of Jazz Festival, hosted by B-Jazzed, proudly returns to Downtown Brampton at beautiful Garden Square (12 Main St. N). This annual, admission-free festival has expanded to a three-day festival featuring restaurant and community performances, a family fun zone, food vendors, and closing out on September 8th, with non-stop, ADMISSION-FREE music from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This three-day festival will play host to more than 100 musicians, 22 ensembles, and eight venues, featuring some of Canada’s finest jazz musicians, as well as local Brampton students and emerging artists.
The weekend schedule showcases the festival’s annual mission and commitment to highlighting multicultural influence in jazz music, while featuring award-winning artists, Brampton-based ensembles, and emerging talent. More than 60% of the bands performing over the festival’s three-day schedule are ensembles and musicians based in Brampton. “Considering how many musicians and technicians were without employment throughout the pandemic, the World of Jazz Festival continues with its mission to ensure adequate compensation for these artists, including over 100 musicians, and more than 20 audio/video technicians and graphic designers,” says Carmen Spada, Artistic Director of BJazzed and the World of Jazz Festival. SIMONE SMITH
The Leadership by Design (LBD) program is a multi-year program that supports the success of academically promising Black youth and does so in partnership with parents, the community and educational institutions including universities. This
This initiative is part of Paramount’s ongoing commitment to support mental health and well-being around the world. The World Mental Health Day Community Fund builds on the success of the U.S. focused grant program timed to Mental Health Action Day (the third Thursday in May) spearheaded by Paramount’s SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios and supported by select CBS-owned local stations. This year,
People are suffering severe burns from contact with excessively hot outdoor surfaces
W.
GIFFORDJONES MD
DIANA GIFFORD-JONES
TC HEALTH COLUMNIST
Do you know the new problem that is starting to kill some people? It’s not a viral disease, but it’s spreading in very hot climates. Caring pet owners protect their dogs from it, but some people are not taking the same precautions. What’s the trouble? It’s thirddegree burns that result from contact with hot pavement. Our sidewalks are becoming deadly!
In some cities, there are growing numbers of people suffering severe burns from contact with excessively hot outdoor
surfaces. The statistics show that not only are more such burns occurring each year, but more people are dying from very large and deep burns caused by prolonged contact with hot sidewalk pavement.
The New York Times reported on a case in Las Vegas. A man, having had a few too many drinks at his favourite bar, passed out on a sidewalk during the day as temperatures rose to 109ºF. He woke up in hospital with severe burns, and not only to his skin. He suffered third-degree burns that scorched deep into the underlying muscle and bone. Treatment for his burns required several weeks in hospital and multiple operations to salvage damaged tissue. For a few drinks, it was a huge price to pay.
There are other examples where alcohol wasn’t a factor. One elderly man tripped and fell on stones in his own backyard. He badly scorched his hands, forearms, and legs in trying to get himself up. Another person had the same problem, not due to age, but to excessive weight. The pavement
was so hot that summertime clothing did little to alleviate the scorching intense heat. Cries for help brought bystanders, but the damage was done. This person also received dangerous burns requiring hospitalization, surgeries, and a very painful process of recovery.
Children are also falling victim. For example, toddlers don’t realize how hot door handles can get, or even car seats in the sun, and they don’t have well-developed withdrawal reflexes. In the blink of an eye, babies can crawl from cool grass, or safe playground surfaces onto hot pavement, or from a beach towel onto blistering hot sand. They may not cry until after a damaging burn occurs.
People with diabetes comprise another category of victims. Their damaged nerves and poor circulation, especially in their feet, increase the risk of burns from walking barefoot on hot concrete and not feeling pain. Amputation is the only possible treatment for ten percent of diabetics who burn their feet.
How many people fail to think of their pet’s paws on hot asphalt. Do this simple test. If you can’t hold the back of your hand for seven seconds on the sidewalk, then it’s too hot for your dog. We will all need to be more careful about burns from hot pavement, but don’t forget about where burns remain most common and preventable. That’s in the kitchen. Use your common sense, as nearly everyone can identify the risks. Young children should not be near the stove. Older people need to adjust when cooking. Among seniors, burns are the second leading injury at home after falls. So don’t attempt to carry pots and hot dishes that are too heavy to handle safely, and don’t wear loose clothing that can catch fire, especially at a gas-burning stove. What can be done about that scorching pavement? Let’s start by not building more and more of it. Cities and subdivisions will continue to expand, but we need to use better design with more greenery, and a lot less concrete and asphalt.
Jane and Finch community celebrates Journey to Manhood; a Rite of Passage Ceremony
PAUL JUNOR
paul@carib101.com TC REPORTER
On Saturday July 13th, 2024, seven boys of African descent in the Jane-Finch community were the celebrants in a rite of passage ceremony. They had reached the 13th milestone on the journey from boyhood to manhood. The ceremony was to celebrate, publicly acknowledge, and affirm that these boys are on the way to becoming men. Also, the ceremony was to encourage each one to start acting more as a man than as a child. The expectation is that each one will become a mature godly man marked by 4 Rs:
• Respected: A man is looked up to due to his character qualities
• Responsible: A man steps up to his duty as a leader, provider and protector
• Resolute: A man stands up for what is right in spite of the consequence
• Resilient: A man bounces back up after setbacks and failures
The boys are members of the Hoop2Hope
(H2H) program. H2H utilizes the popular sport of basketball to reach junior boys (grades 3-8) and senior boys (grades 9 and up). There is another rite of passage ceremony for the young men who reach the 18th milestone. This age is of special significance in the Jane and Finch area as considering that the life expectancy is not high for some youths in the community.
Sky Starr, pastor and grief counsellor in Jane-Finch, in her book, Fractured Communities, with the subtitle, Dissecting the Ripple Effects of Gun Violence, wrote, “It is not uncommon for youth to express the woeful desire to ‘see their eighteenth birthday.” After the death of two teenage boys in the community in the summer of 2013, the Toronto Star quoted this tweet from a boy, “God let me live to see my 17th birthday.”
The coming-of-age celebrations are vital for these young men on many levels. It is integral to their development of selfhood, identity formation, and maturity. The printed program elaborates, “The journey is challenging, and it can be confusing for a boy. Left to themselves, some boys will selfinitiate, or turn to peers to be initiated into manhood.”
The ceremony started with a procession of the boys with their parents. Reverend Audley Goulbourne who pastored Lisle Memorial Baptist Church from 1987 to 2022 and was instrumental in the launch of the rite of passage ceremony gave the opening remarks. He began with showing the short video, ‘Elephant Adolescent Gone Wild’ that
showed young elephants attacking and killing rhinoceros which does not happen under normal circumstances. The problem was addressed when older male elephants were placed in the park to exercise control.
Within the past three weeks in Toronto, we have had incidents of boys going wild. In two separate occasions two 14-yearolds have been charged with murder. Rev. Goulbourne highlighted why boys need older men to guide them to be constructive members in the community. Thus, the importance of the H2H program with the rite of passage ceremony.
The charge was given by PC Geoff Kerr of the Toronto Police Services (TPS). As a Jamaican-born immigrant, he knows first-hand the challenges of growing up in a female-headed household and rising above the stigma of the Jane-Finch community. He delivered a message of perseverance, resilience and setting high goals. In addition, there were words of wisdom shared by other older men in the audience.
Each boy brought a toy, or a book that was from their childhood days that was exchanged for a Bible. The significance of this exchange was to highlight that the Bible was to be valued as an indispensable light for the journey. The parents along with all the men present gathered around the boys, then the prayer of blessing was offered for each one by Benjamin Osei. He was a refugee from Ghana, who became a dedicated community youth worker including directing H2H.for the past 20 years. The ceremony concluded with
the recessional followed by the cutting of the special cake and the serving of refreshments. I spoke to Rev. Goulbourne on Wednesday, July 17th, 2024, regarding the history of the rite of passage ceremony. He shared that his father was not intentional in preparing him for manhood that culminated with a rite of passage ceremony. He had to declare himself to be a man after he overcame a frightening experience at age 18. When his first son, Matthew was born he vowed to do better in preparing him for manhood. In 2003 he had a rite of passage ceremony for him when he turned 16. When he turned 18 there was a subsequent one for him and his peers. Since then, he has been having ceremonies for his two other sons, for boys in the Hoop2Hope program and in the church.
Rev. Goulbourne is on a mission to encourage fathers and other men to be intentionally engaged in guiding boys so that they do not stumble, but confidentially step into manhood. He believes that as more 4R men are nurtured there will be healthier, thriving families resulting in a healthy, thriving Black community.
HOPE for You Community Services (H4U) is a sponsor of the program. The acronym HOPE stands for “Holistic Outreach Promoting Empowerment.” H4U was launched in 2016. The other sponsor of the program is Youth Unlimited (Toronto Youth for Christ) serving youths in the GTA since 1962.
A Night at My House! Proudly presenting National Jazz Award Winners the Brownman Electryc Trio
simone@carib101.com
This is incredible. I could feel the music in my bones. This place had such a cool vibe. I could already feel the energy. I arrived at the perfect time. I had got just enough time to grab a drink before the show started. The lights were dim, and the crowd cheered as the band took the stage. The band started playing a slow, soulful tune. The music built gradually, layering complex rhythms with rich melodies. The music suddenly shifted into an upbeat, energetic groove. The way they blended the traditional jazz elements with electronic sounds… It was like nothing I had ever heard! This is why I love live music! You can’t replicate this feeling!
It was Thursday, August 15th, 2024, and the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper had been invited to My House (located at 2882 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, M6P 1Y8) where they were proudly presenting National Jazz
gust, and whom NPR (National Public Radio) in New York City has called “the new standard in electric-jazz”. I was here to enjoy a night of modern funkified jazz in the vintage majesty that is My House!
Imagine a charming venue that feels like a welcoming home, filled with a cozy ambiance that immediately puts guests at ease. The space is designed with an intimate, homely touch, featuring plush couches strategically placed around the room for comfortable seating and conversation. Soft, flickering candles are scattered throughout, casting a warm, gentle glow that dances on the walls, enhancing the venue’s serene and calming atmosphere.
There were long dinner tables, elegantly set with: fine china, glassware, and tasteful centerpieces, stretched across the room, inviting guests to gather for shared meals and engaging conversations. The lighting is subdued, with dim, overhead fixtures and soft, accent lighting that adds depth and warmth to the space. The overall atmosphere was both relaxed and sophisticated, making it a perfect setting for a night of electric jazz. So, who was I here to see?
award-winning Trinidadian-born: trumpeter, bandleader and composer -- such a special case worthy of examination.
He has been awarded the: 2007: National Jazz Award “Electric Jazz Group of the Year”, 2011: Trinidad High Commission citation: “Distinguished National”, 2013, 2015, 2016: 3x Toronto Independent Music Award winner, 2014: International Independent Music Award winner, 2019: International Songwriting Competition finalist, 2023: International Songwriting Competition winner, and was a 2024: JUNO Award nominee
He has triumphantly forged a successful career in a field filled with obstacles and done it in an uncompromising fashion. He has done so by staying true to his vision of propagating his own brand of: funkified, exploratory modern jazz that amazingly builds novel entertainment from the seemingly antithetical building blocks of complex compositional, rhythmic, and improvisational structures.
Davis, especially from the period that began with the 1969 albums “In a Silent Way” and “Bitches Brew.” On Bitches Brew, Miles Davis took jazz music and altered its acoustic traditions towards the electrified and amplified sounds of contemporary funk and rock music. This included “electrifying” his horn through the use of various effects. I was proud to be witnessing Brownman (born “Nick Ali”) and his Electryc Trio on a night in live performance. His performance is evidence of why this group has become such a crowd-pleasing draw over the last few years. Brownman’s preference for playing in smaller ensembles has dominated, and his talents as an improviser have grown stronger. The ensemble includes: Brownman Ali (electric trumpet and compositions), Josh Cohen (6-string electric bass), and Adam Mansfield (drums).
This is what live music was all about on August 15th—pure connection. You can hear them on Spotify: www.Spotify.Browntasauras.com SIMONE SMITH
Making a full-time living as a performing professional musician isn’t easy. Making a living as a musician in a niche genre like jazz can be even harder and making a living in jazz as a West Indian in a “small” market like Canada that is spread out over a massive land mass is just about the hardest of all. This is what makes Brownman Ali -- a multi-
His music is informed heavily by an urban music aesthetic— encompassing everything from hip hop and r&b to house, jungle and dubstep—which he readily acknowledges has often placed him outside jazz’s more polite and inoffensive mainstream. That of course is quite normal for Caribbean people. We are always adding our dash of spice to everything that we do.
For fans of jazz, the stylistic primogenitors of the Electryc Trio are easy to discern. First and foremost is the music of Miles
The combination of the three players is a sound that often seems greater than the sum of its parts. “I can’t believe there’s only three of them up there” is a comment frequently heard at BET shows. They achieve that illusion through sheer musicianship on the one hand, and clever use of electronic effects on the other. There is definitely a chemistry the trio has that can only be called astounding.
An end to the tyranny of Corporate Canada’s influence upon local governments is required
es fall upon those who build them. Private sector development as always. Developers make a house and sell it for as much as they can? Why not? Our entire social economy is based upon the fact that business can do whatever it wishes to do. There is no social contract to fulfill the wishes of the ruling political party, which is to build as many houses as possible. It does not make sense for big business to build so many houses that there may be a possible over-stock of housing, which would drive the cost of housing downward. The developers plan a controlled yet sustained growth, taking advantage of the Provincial governments deregulation and red tape cutting scheme.
What should be done in the near future?
Regional, provincial and national governments need to get into the developing and building business. Only through public ownership can the needed housing be built quickly with managed costs too. Build a house for $125,000 perhaps or build apartment buildings intended for renters. Government does not need
to rely upon selfish profiteering developers to build publicly needed housing.
• Regional governments need to establish their own banks which can borrow from the big banks and then loan these funds to the government’s own developers and builders. Creating one’s own regional economic banking system provides greater flexibility in their financial developments.
• Regional governments can become power houses of financial might allowing them to experience more flexibility and self-management of policy making. Building housing locally creates local jobs, revenue streams for local businesses and greater flow of taxation.
• If Aboriginal tribes and communities can receive permission to self-direct and build their housing needs, why not regional governments? The independence that would be given to these regional governments will allow them to fulfill their particular and unique needs. Provincial or national governments can carry out annual audits of these organi-
zations’ actions and financial transactions as well.
• There is a social contract between the public and their governments that surpasses the wants and demands of private business. Public organizations wish to help people while businesses like developers exist to make profit. If people are helped, that is secondary to private business.
It is time to turn away from the predominant and undue influence of the private sector and inject the public’s desires and needs into a system that ignores corporate demands. Regional, municipal and provincial governments need to establish their own building and development corporations owned by the people and for the fulfillment of the people’s needs.
An end to the tyranny of corporate Canada’s influence upon local governments is required. Viva la Housing Revolution!
His extraordinary musical talent shone brightly, setting him apart as a prodigy destined for greatness. With an innate ability to craft melodies that resonate deeply and a unique sound that captivates the soul, his work quickly caught the attention of industry superstars. Today, his genius is not only recognized but celebrated, as his compositions have been embraced by the very icons who define the music world.
With our Classic Man Keith Harris gearing up to release new music this fall, and preparing to tour with the Black-Eyed Peas, this edition we are going to look back at Harris’ journey within the music industry.
Growing up playing music within the church, along with seeing other musicians there, is what inspired Harris to want to pursue a career in the music industry. At the age of 10, Harris started playing the drums and keyboards. From there, he attended Curie High School of The Performing Arts in Chicago.
“I really want to do this full-time,” said Harris.
His experience at a performing arts high school pushed Harris to pursue a music career. During high school, Harris picked up important tools of the trade, building his sightreading chops, honing the keyboard and bass skills he had picked up in church, mastering concert percussion, and performing blazing drum solos with the advanced jazz band
A Prodigy Destined for Greatness KEITH HARRIS
and stage bands.
His flair for showmanship was evident, and was first witnessed when Harris played a solo at the end of his senior concert that included flipping his drumsticks into the audience in the middle of lightning-fast full-kit rolls, only to finish with a pair of sticks carefully hidden in the sleeves of his suit jacket. With this highlight reel in his back pocket, he took the next step and attended the Berkley College of Music in Boston to be educated more about music and network with people, leading to him meeting the Black-Eyed Peas.
He graduated with a degree in production and engineering, and armed with his newly developed skills on both sides of the musicmaking process, he relocated to New York to work as an engineer for Bad Boy Records hit maker Richard “Younglord” Frierson. While in the Hit Man’s camp, Keith mastered the concept of crafting catchy tunes that can be appreciated by musicians and average listeners alike.
Since meeting the band 21 years ago, Harris accomplished his goal by seeing the world as an entertainer and watching his journey expand past what he wanted it to be. He also produced hit songs for them, such as “Imma Be,” and won Grammys for his work with other artists like: Mariah Carey, James Brown, Backstreet Boys, Meghan Trainor, Estelle, who is like a sister to him, Jully Black, who helped win his first Juno Award for Black’s 2007 album
Revival, and Michael Jackson.
When working with the late Michael Jackson on his Thriller 25 album, Harris was over the moon excited at their first meeting. Growing up listening to his music, Harris noticed Jackson’s music had a percussive nature as someone who plays the percussion.
Although he did not get to work with Madonna in the studio, he was glad she chose the song “Gang Bang,” which he wrote for her for her 2012 album MDNA.
Working with these undoubtedly legendary iconic artists is the cherry on top of Harris’s career and allows him to say he’s done some amazing things and worked with people he looks up to.
Harris’s work led to him becoming a two-time Grammy Award winner and receiving countless other Grammy nominations, an OSCAR nomination, touring many countries globally, performing at world cups, Super Bowls and endless other events. Having written and produced for albums that have collectively sold more than 15 millions copies worldwide, this rising star has become an expert when it comes to talking about what sells records.
Along with touring with the Black-Eyed Peas, Harris will also be the opening act for them through his band, The Keith Harris Experience. For Harris, not only is it great for him to have the opportunity to work along with his good friends, but he’s also thankful to them for allowing
him to share his platform on a bigger stage. He will be opening for the Black-Eyed Peas in early August on the eastside of America and Canada. He is looking forward to a great show and everyone having a great time. “I want people to vibe with the songwriting and music orchestrations.”
When talking about his upcoming project, Harris shared “I call my band the Keith Harris Experience because my experiences are very expansive. I like to experiment with different genres. My first project, ‘The Keith Harris Experience Vol 1,” gives an ode to where I grew up in the south side of Chicago. The danceoriented project contains features from Jordan Sparks and Estelle.”
Through the Keith Harris Experience, Harris will release new music in the fall. The album will consist of pop-genre songs. Listeners can expect to hear mid-tempo, emotional and more rhythmic sounds along with some uptempo songs that will make them want to dance.
Photo Credit: Sanj P Photography
Written by Sydnee Walcot Toronto Caribbean News
THE REGGAE ICONS WHO TRANSFORMED TORONTO
JULY
1 1 A M - 3 P M
REGGAE LANE LITTLE JAMAICA
SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 / 7:30PM
FEATURING
CO-HOSTS Asha Lapps & Ryan Chung Weedie Braimah and Hands of Time Band
Joshua Lucas
Esie Mensah Creations with Esie Mensah, Yohance Parsons and Taejah Mark The Recipee
Majoko Duo
The Flow Fest Percussion Ensemble
The rhythm of drumming and syncopated sounds return to The Rose, curated by Artistic Directors Larnell Lewis and Joy Lapps. Experience an event for the senses with roaming musical ensembles, DJs visual art, and culinary delights. Be immersed in a percussive party celebrating culture, music, and drums from around the world as you dance and play the night away.
PHOTO: FLOW FEST, 2022
What Is the difference between vitamins D, D2, and D3?
How many times have we seen people in a pharmacy looking at the D vitamins? They’re standing on one foot and then the other and wondering which one to purchase. They are not alone. Let’s start with D. Vitamin D is very important for human health. One of its prime purposes is the absorption of calcium and phosphorus to keep bones healthy and strong. If we develop a deficiency in these two minerals as we age, our bones lose their strength year after year, and we develop a disease called osteoporosis, meaning week bones. This
can result in bone fractures, and it may lead to spending time in a wheelchair.
Vitamin D is called the “sunshine vitamin” because it’s the sun’s ultraviolet rays on the skin that triggers the production of vitamin D in the body. The best way to get D is to get out in the sunlight. Exposing your skin to the sun, without sunscreen, for 15 minutes a few times a week, to generate vitamin D is an effective way to maintain bones. You also get D from eating fish, egg yolks, meats and fortified cereals, and from drinking milk and orange juice. If you are on a vegan diet, it’s harder to get D from foods. Vegans need vitamin D supplements.
The next question is, what is the difference between D2 and D3? They have different molecular structures. Here is the surprise; D2 and D3 are metabolized by your liver, and kidneys into the same active form of vitamin D! So, they also support good health through the absorption of calcium and phosphorus to increase bone and muscle strength.
There are other benefits. These vitamins support the immune system to fight bacteria and viruses. Remember we have told you again and again that high doses of C increase immunity. Now we can add that D2 and D3 by becoming D also fight immunity. This is an important point as today an increasing number of people are developing diseases due to a lack of immunity.
Vitamin D also helps to: regulate blood sugar, support brain function, increase cardiovascular health, and lower the risk of certain cancers.
The sun is also vital a source. Those who live in northern climates won’t get much D from the sun during the winter, even if standing out naked and freezing! Aging skin and organs that don’t function as effectively compound the problem for indoor elderly people. Does it matter which vitamin D supplement you purchase? It’s not one of the great decisions we have to make in life. There is some research that shows that D3 is more easily absorbed by the body and is
therefore more effective.
What’s more important is that you talk with your doctor about this vitamin, as some medications, such as steroids and statins, can involve interactions.
In general, what is the recommended dosage? The first thing to remember is that vitamin D is fat soluble, unlike vitamin C, which is water-soluble. This means that vitamin D is stored in the body. This also means that it can build up in the body and lead to vitamin D toxicity, which can harm your health. For children 1 to 18 and for adults, the dosage is 600 IU (15 micrograms), if you are 70 years old or over, the dosage of vitamin D increases to 800 IU’s (20 microgram).
Many people are afraid of the sun due to the potential development of malignant melanomas. Researchers have also shown a relationship between skin cancers and low vitamin D levels. So over abstinence, moderation is the answer.
There is a double standard people have towards male victims of domestic violence
after a fight with her boyfriend.
SYDNEE WALCOTT
sydnee@carib101.com
VARIETY CORNER
While it is prevalent to hear about people advocating to put an end to domestic violence against girls and women, boys and men don’t always receive the same support due to generalizations. Once again, we got to see that scenario play out recently.
On August 9th, 2024, the 22-yearold actress and her boyfriend, whose identity remains unknown, were at Universal CityWalk when the couple got into an altercation. Security witnessed the altercation, intervened and detained the couple until police arrived.
The couple denied getting into a physical altercation and allegedly said they were happily engaged and expecting a child. However, that did not stop the police from reviewing video footage of the altercation. The footage revealed Jackson as the primary aggressor, as the footage shows her pushing her boyfriend more than once. The review of the footage led to the arrest of Jackson for the misdemeanour of domestic battery. Police released Jackson after a few hours in custody, with the case being rejected a few days later due to lack of evidence.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office made the decision not to
move forward with the case as Jackson does not have a criminal history, and her boyfriend did not sustain any injuries and did not cooperate with prosecutors.
The news shocked some, as not many expected her to join the ranks of former Disney Channel stars who have faced legal trouble due to her innocent-looking appearance. However, many weren’t surprised because Jackson was involved in multiple controversies throughout the past few years.
A few months ago, Jackson had a money laundering and trafficking investigation made against her. Last year, she orchestrated a fake giveaway, asking fans to send $5 to enter.
What stands out the most about the case was the reactions of some. Jackson’s petite stature and innocent appearance, her boyfriend’s tall stature, and based on what happened during the altercation have led many to make jokes and brush off her actions as something minor, or nothing. That
mindset is ignorant and highlights the double standard people have towards male victims of domestic violence. No one would’ve been quick to defend her boyfriend if he was the primary aggressor. He would’ve had the book thrown at him.
What people tend to overlook is that most abusive relationships will start with something as simple as a push before escalating into something worse. Domestic violence against boys and men happens a lot more than one would imagine. Unfortunately, it gets swept under the rug a lot due to the generalization of men being more convalescent compared to women. It’s also the reason why male victims are scared to come forward.
While it’s normal for couples to get into disagreements, no one should be putting their hands on anyone, not even once, unless it’s self-defence. “Keep your hands to yourself” is a phrase that applies to everyone, no matter their gender.
Become an agent of truthful socially beneficial change
STEVEN KASZAB
steven@carib101.com
INSIGHT TO SOCIETY
social agen da the Black community finds important to
themselves and humanity. Women marched often along with supportive men to achieve their goal. None of these movements have disappeared and still exist because society continues to treat the non-White community as a second-class citizen.
You can speak about contemporary women facing a multitude of oppressive measures placed before them by history, social and individual prejudice, economic factors initiated by the corporate world long ago. Corporations need cheap labor to achieve the profitability they desire. Was so at the beginning and now too. Blacks and non-Whites find themselves still unable to feed their families and educate themselves. Medical treatment falls onto the insured and 41% of Black Americans are uninsured. Education is open to those who excel whether that be in the sciences or sports. A non-White often makes 15-30% less than Whites in a comparative field of employment, and inflation weighs these workers down. Inflation created by those with money, greed and addiction to acquiring stuff.
What does the Black community do in this situation? If they achieve the smallest of victories they celebrate it. They also celebrate those they look up to and wish they
could be like Black actors, sporting, professional and institutional Black celebrities. What do these celebrities do for the nonWhite masses? They entertain them, speak about their personal struggles to achieve their level of celebrity on social media, and reality shows. Occasionally they speak out about perceived wrongs done to their fellow citizens, but they also have their handlers beside them making sure they do not upset the social elites they depend upon.
Why are Black and Hispanic celebrities not leading the BLM Movement, or speaking before a labour movement gathering working to pull its membership out of low-income poverty? Rich bubble wrapped celebrities and even the so-called leaders of the institutional movement do not want to place themselves in financial, or political jeopardy, No Sir. Beautiful people whose messaging often is nothing more than socially worn platitudes that challenge no one in particular.
So, if you want to have equal pay, equal rights, visible, and sound improvement within your communities don’t whisper, or talk, but SHOUT out LOUD. March with the attitude I know you can express, an attitude of want, desire and commitment. Remember all
the leaders of the past who stood with their followers against oppression, prejudice and injustice, and often violently too. Remember: the Black Panthers, the Little Rock Nine, Chicago Housing Activists, the Chicano Movement and so many others that fought, bled and even died so you can enjoy what freedom of equality you now benefit from. Have no leader that exemplifies what you and your community needs? Have those who claim to be your leaders become a part of the “system” where self-interest is supreme? Then stand up and be “that” leader. Some of history’s greatest and most effective leaders were uneducated, poor and unknown until they stood up and acted not for themselves, but for the benefit of others.
Delores Huerta became a leader in the fight against racism and sexism. “Yes, we can,” became her motto, saying “You should never wait for someone to ask for help, simply help them.” Working with Latino labourers this woman became a symbol of American courage. How about you? See something that needs to be challenged and changed? A wrong needing to be made right? Your future is there waiting to be made, so become the opposite of evil, become an agent of truthful socially beneficial change.
Choosing the right mascara to enhance your lashes is easy!
Want to enhance your eyes? Along with eyeliner and eyeshadow, mascara can be an excellent tool for making your eyes look irresistible. However, with so many options available, choosing can be difficult. Here are some key factors to consider when shopping for mascara.
The desired effect
Do you want to add a subtle tint to your pale eyelashes or create a more dramatic effect that resembles false eyelashes? Do you want to go for a conservative look or a daring one? Straight or super-curled? Average or extra-long? Once you determine your preferences, you can narrow down your search.
The brush
Different types of brushes are better suited for various effects. For a natural look, it’s best to use a brush with spaced bristles and a tapered shape. A thick, round brush is the way to go if you want a bolder style. The shape of the bristles can also vary from straight to curved, round or conical.
The color
Besides natural browns and dark blacks, there are glittery
products and bold shades such as navy, burgundy and forest green. These options are ideal for making a statement at a special event or if you enjoy experimenting with your look daily.
The wearability
Many mascaras are available in water-resistant formulas, which means they resist water, sweat and tears. Depending on your daily routine, these mascaras could be your best friend! However, many experts advise against wearing water-resistant mascaras every day, as they can damage your lashes and cause eye irritation.
The ingredients
Like all cosmetics, mascaras may contain substances that are harmful to your health. It’s essential to check the ingredients of the products you’re interested in and choose those with a high percentage of natural ingredients. You can even find mascaras that help nourish and strengthen your lashes.
Visit your local beauty supply store to find a mascara that’s right for you.
ment, Black Lives Matter, or any
Vision and Voice: A modern day look at the philosophy and opinions of Marcus Garvey - Part III
“Be as proud of your race today as our fathers were in the days of yore. We have a beautiful history, and we shall create another in the future that will astonish the world.”
~ The Honourable Mosiah Marcus Garvey
What do you think is needed for the mental, spiritual, financial, and emotional evolution of our community? As we reflect on our journey, it’s impossible not to consider the profound impact of leaders like the Honourable Mosiah Marcus Garvey, whose visionary ideas once empowered us, lifted our spirits, and paved the way for our collective prosperity. Garvey’s strategies were actionable and aimed to bolster the esteem and self-determination of our people. Yet, despite these early strides, we find ourselves asking: What happened? Why have we struggled to sustain the momentum of Garvey’s vision, and what must we do now to continue the journey toward true empowerment and evolution?
Over the last few editions, I have been sharing quotes from “Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey” edited by Amy Jacques-Garvey The Journal of Pan African
Studies 2009 eBook. Each time I tap into the book, I am flooded with realizations, ones that teeter between the greatness of us as a people, and the disappointment of us as a community. I am sharing some of the quotes with our readers in the hopes that we can begin to build together and get back to a place that would make Marcus Garvey proud. Make ourselves proud. I invite readers to weigh in on these quotes, share thoughts and inspirations, and share them with the larger community. Ready. Let’s go!
“For over three hundred years the white man has been our oppressor, and he naturally is not going to liberate us to the higher freedom, the truer liberty, and the truer democracy. We have to liberate ourselves.”
It’s time to confront a harsh truth: too many of us still look to the “White elites” for rescue, believing they hold the key to our liberation. Yes, grant money can help us advance our individual projects— initiatives that are indeed vital to our communities, but when will we recognize that this dependency keeps us trapped in a cycle of reliance on those who have historically worked to maintain our subjugation? They throw promises and money our way, not out of genuine concern for our freedom, but as a means to pacify us, to keep us complacent. We must ask ourselves: when will we finally stand on our own, supporting each other, building the foundations of our empowerment, free from the chains of dependence on those who do not have our best interests at heart?
That is the question at hand.
“Every student of political science, every student of economics knows that the race can only be saved through a solid industrial foundation; and that the race can only be saved through political independence. Take away industry from a race; take away political freedom from a race, and you have a group of slaves. People everywhere are travelling toward industrial opportunities and greater political freedom. As a race oppressed, it is for us to prepare ourselves that at any time the great change in industrial freedom and political liberty comes about, we may be able to enter into the new era as partakers of the joys to be inherited.”
As Africans in the Caribbean and Diaspora, it is imperative that we build a solid industrial foundation to secure our future and reclaim our place in the global economy. The salvation of our race lies in achieving political independence, which allows us to control our resources, define our policies, and create opportunities for our communities.
Over the years, we have witnessed the erosion of our industries and political freedoms, often due to external forces that have undermined our sovereignty and economic stability. Classism.
To prepare ourselves for a future where industrial freedom and political liberty are restored, we must invest in education, entrepreneurship, and community-driven economic initiatives. We must develop strategies to reclaim our industries, advocate for fair trade prac-
tices, and strengthen our political voices. This preparation will ensure that when the great change comes, we are ready to participate fully and benefit from the new era of prosperity and freedom, becoming rightful inheritors of the joys and opportunities it brings.
“To be prosperous in whatever we do is the sign of true wealth. We may be wealthy in not only having money, but in spirit and health. It is the most helpful agency toward a self-satisfying life. One lives, in an age like this, nearer perfection by being wealthy than by being poor. To the contented soul, wealth is the steppingstone to perfection; to the miser it is the nearest avenue to hell. I would prefer to be honestly wealthy, than miserably poor.”
Our health is our wealth. This is especially true when it comes to mental health. It is the foundation upon which all other aspects of our lives are built. When we prioritize our mental well-being, we cultivate a wealth that goes beyond financial gain; we nurture a richness of spirit, emotional stability, and physical vitality. Mental health is the most powerful agency toward a self-satisfying life, empowering us as a community, as a people to face challenges with resilience, connect deeply with others, and pursue our passions with clarity and purpose. A healthy mind enables us to experience true abundance in all areas of our lives. Until next week, keep evolving.
The rise of Indigenous smoke and fall of licensed cannabis
non-beneficial to them. Unfazed by gen erations of wrongdoing, immorality and conceit, we are set to watch the same oppressors try again within the microcosm of cannabis retail.
The Ontario government has just recently announced its intent to “crack down” on unlicensed cannabis dispensaries with a $31 million dollar boost to a task force called the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET). As a part of Ontario’s 2024 budget, it plans to provide these funds over the next three years. While some provinces recognize they have no right to impose any type of regulation on Indigenous practices, some provinces including this one are attempting to colonize cannabis sales by force.
Undoubtedly at the behest of wealthy stakeholder and stock owner lobbyist groups, a growing outcry about their diminishing or lost profits is about to become a full-blown assault on anyone not a part of their establishment. Similar to most agricultural industries, Canada has tried to commodify, monetize and capitalize this plant for the rich with moderate success. By creating a framework designed to keep anyone other than those with obscene amounts of capital funds by using expensive regulations and bureaucracy, the existing licensed market has spelled its own doom.
While these licensed cannabis actors claim their efforts are to protect the public from harmful products and dangerous groups, it’s easy to see they are targeting the indigenous community for by-
passing all their red tape. Indigenous dispensaries have proliferated across this province and many others to the horror of the rich elite. Used to having their generational wealth put them leaps and bounds ahead of every other community, it finally serves them no purpose here. While it may take them hundreds of thousands of dollars and months, or even years to enter the licensed cannabis market sustainably, indigenous companies can viably and safely begin in days with only thousands of dollars.
Indigenous people who have been trading cannabis for hundreds of years can continue to do so without the approval of immigrant overseers which terrifies them and their bank accounts. One such individual; Paul McGovern, a former Toronto police officer who used to arrest cannabis users but has now stepped down to open his own cannabis retail states, “The very fabric of legalization is brought into question because of these stores and their proliferation. It’s a big deal on a lot of levels. I hope Canada can find a way to get it right. I don’t think we can look the other way anymore. This is too big and too meaningful.”
Another licensed stakeholder and store owner; Cory Van Iersel simply states, “How can we compete when their products are stronger and cheaper than ours?” In online forums where anonymity allows licensed supporters to be much more vicious, we see attacks on Indigenous companies and products using racism and fear as a way to boost their own failing businesses. It’s clear to see what motivates these parties to disparage and slander their competitors. Using this type of propaganda along with their monetary influence, millionaire owners of licensed cannabis businesses will now resort to force by trying to mobilize law enforcement behind their cause. Whether this will be effective or not remains to be seen, but it is historically known that indigenous people, culture and life are resilient. The critical yet often obscured fact is that there is no such thing as “illegal” cannabis in Canada any longer. There is only now licensed, or unlicensed and for the vast majority, the difference is unnoticeable. The real difference is between who you as a consumer choose to support wealthy business owners trying to get more wealthy, or struggling indigenous people trying to make their place. If you’re like me, the choice is easy and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
Enjoy fall: try these 5 eco-friendly activities!
The arrival of fall promises to delight your eyes and taste buds! Need inspiration for your next outing? Here are five activities to help you make the most of autumn without harming Mother Nature:
1. Go on a bike ride. Explore bike paths along wooded areas or ride on forest trails with your family, partner or friends. Breathing in the fresh air while getting your body moving is a great way to enjoy autumn in an eco-friendly way!
2. Pick your own fruits and vegetables. Many farms offer U-pick produce. Depending on where you live, you could visit an orchard to pick apples (some places also have pear and plum trees) or harvest pumpkins, squash or artichokes.
3. Go on a picnic. Buy gourmet products from local businesses with strong ecological and ethical values. Enjoy your haul in the mountains, by the water or in a park.
Be sure to bring reusable dishes and utensils and leave no trace!
4. Have a photoshoot. With its red and orange leaves and warm light, fall provides a perfect backdrop for stunning photographs. For best results, collaborate with a professional photographer in your area.
5. Visit a national park. Carpool, take public transit, ride your bike or rent an electric vehicle to visit one of these natural wonders and soak up the beauty of the great outdoors.
Whether strolling through a farmers market, discovering a picturesque small town by foot, kayaking or feeling the wind in your hair while horseback riding, there’s no shortage of eco-responsible ways to enjoy the pleasures of fall!
Energy sobriety and energy efficiency: what’s the difference?
Using energy wisely is essential to avoid waste and reduce your ecological footprint. While energy efficiency has been at the forefront of people’s minds for several years, a complementary concept is gaining popularity: energy sobriety. Here’s a look at the nuances between these two eco-responsible strategies.
Sobriety
Energy sobriety refers to reducing your energy consumption at the source. It’s about questioning your energy needs and prioritizing only what’s essential. In other words, practicing energy sobriety means consuming less. Here are a few examples of how you can become more energy-sober:
• Use public transportation or cycle more often than driving your car
• Use a carpooling or car-sharing system
• Turn down the heat when you’re away or
sleeping
• Take shorter showers
Efficiency
Energy efficiency refers to any technology or change in activities that achieves the same results with less energy or prevents waste. In short, it’s about consuming better. Here are some examples of energy efficiency:
• Trading in your gasoline-powered vehicle for an electric model
• Buying appliances with energy-efficient certifications (e.g. ENERGY STAR®)
• Installing an efficient heat pump
• Improving the insulation in your home
By becoming more energy-sober and eco-friendly, society can continue to move in the right direction. Find and implement the best solutions for your lifestyle today!
Picking a chandelier: how to get it right
Selecting the right chandelier can elevate the ambiance of any room. It serves as a striking focal point while providing essential illumination. Here are a few key factors to consider when picking a chandelier for your space.
Size and scale of the room
The size of a chandelier can significantly impact the overall balance of the room. You must choose a chandelier that’s proportionate to the room’s size. For instance, in dining rooms, the chandelier’s diameter should be around one-half to two-thirds
the width of the table to ensure it looks visually appealing.
Ceiling height
Select a chandelier with a compact design or a flush-mount fixture in rooms with low ceilings to prevent it from overwhelming the space. A larger chandelier with a longer drop can make a dramatic statement for rooms with high ceilings.
Decor
Choose a chandelier that complements the room’s style, whether contemporary, traditional or eclectic. Select a design that enhances the overall theme and adds visual interest without overpowering the space.
Functionality
Ensure the chandelier provides adequate illumination for the room’s activities, whether dining, entertaining or relaxing. Choose fixtures with adjustable brightness or dimmable options to create the desired ambiance.
Hire a professional electrician to safely install the chandelier and ensure it’s securely anchored to the ceiling.
The advantages of using barn doors in your space
Sliding barn doors have become a versatile and stylish addition to modern interior design. Beyond their rustic charm, these doors offer many advantages that can enhance your living space’s visual appeal and functionality.
• They save space. Unlike traditional swinging doors, barn doors slide along a track mounted above the doorway, eliminating the need for clearance space. This feature makes them ideal for rooms with limited space or awkward layouts, maximizing usable floor area.
• They look stylish. Their distinctive design and rustic allure are focal points, infusing character and warmth into contemporary interiors. Whether used as room dividers, closet doors or even as decorative accents, barn doors effortlessly elevate the ambiance of any space.
• They’re easy to use. The smooth gliding mechanisms create seamless transitions between rooms. This versatility allows homeowners to customize their living spaces while enjoying the convenience of flexible room configurations
Wallpaper installation: call the pros
Wallpaper is a great way to add visual interest and inject personality into your space. However, installing it can be a daunting task. While you may be tempted to try the DIY approach, calling a professional is often the best choice for a seamless and stress-free experience.
Why go with a professional?
Professional wallpaper installers have the necessary skills and experience to tackle even the most challenging installations. They understand the intricacies of different wallpaper materials and surfaces and ensure proper adhesion and alignment for a polished finish.
Moreover, professionals have specialized tools and equipment for precise installations. From smoothing out air bubbles and
lining up seams to trimming excess material, their expertise and resources allow them to deliver impeccable results in a fraction of the time it would take you to do it yourself.
Unmatched peace of mind
Hiring a professional to install your wallpaper provides peace of mind and quality craftsmanship. Reputable installers have a keen attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction. They prioritize the longevity and appearance of your wallpaper, minimizing the risk of errors or damage.
Calling the pros is undoubtedly the smart choice for a flawless finish for wallpaper installation.
Zero-waste home renovations: planning tips
Zero-waste home renovations aim to reduce waste, conserve resources and create healthier living environments. Here are a few tips for successfully planning your very own zero-waste renovation:
1.Educate yourself on sustainable building practices. Stay informed about emerging eco-friendly technologies. For example, advancements in solar panel efficiency and biodegradable materials are continuously evolving.
• They block sound. When closed, they provide an effective barrier against drafts and noise, promoting a comfortable and quiet environment.
Embrace the charm of sliding barn doors and unlock the potential of your living space today. Check out your local hardware and building supply stores to find the barn doors of your dreams.
2.Reuse whenever possible. Depending on the project, consider opting for salvaged or reclaimed materials to divert waste from landfills and add character and uniqueness to your home.
3.Incorporate energy-efficient appliances and fixtures. Choose products with high energy-efficiency ratings and incorporate water-saving features such as ENERGY STAR®
appliances and low-flow faucets and toilets.
4.Implement proper waste management. Focus on recycling, composting and donating reusable materials to divert waste from landfills. Plan ahead to ensure that construction debris is sorted and disposed of responsibly.
5.Collaborate with eco-conscious contractors and designers. Find a sustainable-focused building professional and communicate your zero-waste goals. Work together to identify innovative solutions that minimize waste generation to turn your home into a model of environmental responsibility.
What are you waiting for?
Proof of downpayment can be challenging when buying a home
When purchasing a home, your lender will consider your gross employment income, credit report, current debt load, and downpayment amount. As a borrower, you must also provide the source of the downpayment to satisfy Canada’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules. This is a crucial step, ensuring that the funds used for the downpayment are from a legitimate source. Simply put, money laundering is washing dirty money. It is a method of concealing or hiding the source of the proceeds of crime so that it looks like it comes from an authentic source.
Money laundering helps local and international criminals to invest and grow their money and use it for terrorism. The stringent AML requirements can extend the verification process and introduce unexpected challenges, even for buyers with strong financial backgrounds and excellent credit histories. These regulations reflect a broader trend where compliance requirements are intensifying, often leading to more comprehensive and sometimes invasive financial scrutiny.
The Financial Transaction and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) detects, prevents, and deters money laundering and financing of terrorist activities. Real estate investing is lucrative, so activities must be scrutinized. The onus is transferred to the lenders, mortgage brokers
and realtors. If they do not comply, they can face stiff fines.
In most cases, you must provide a ninety-day history of all the funds for the downpayment and closing cost. Your lender will review your bank statement and need a detailed explanation of any deposits of $2,000 and over. If the lender cannot trace the source, they can dig deeper by requesting a longer history timeline. Any deposits that do not come from an income source, such as family gifts or proceeds from the sale of an asset or transfer of funds from an overseas account, must be supported by proper documents.
Many people transfer money between accounts to reduce banking fees and increase interest. For example, a checking account may need a minimum balance to avoid paying fees, whereas a savings account or GIC can offer the highest interest rate. In many instances, the money is moved from one lender to another, making tracing and documenting transfers more challenging. A typical transaction involves two or more borrowers, and you can now appreciate the work to be done behind the scenes.
If you have investment accounts with many activities, tracing the movement of funds can become more cumbersome, and if the lender needs help tracing the funds, they can put your file on hold. This, in turn, can significantly delay your approval, underscoring the importance of preparing your downpayment in advance.
If you plan on buying a home soon, consolidate your downpayment from all sources about four months before making an offer. Sources such as GIC, RRSP, etc., are trackable; you do not need to move them. If you are selling your current home and buying another with the proceeds from the sale of your current home, the
source of funds is easy to trace.
If a relative gives money as a gift, ask them to provide you with a gift letter and proof of where the funds come from. Etransfers and wire transfers, especially from another country, can raise red flags, so it is best to prove that the money is legitimate.
Currently, cryptocurrency is not a popular choice as a source of downpayment, and it is advisable to consolidate these investments into a checking or savings account about four months before you decide to purchase.
In Canada, there is no limit on the amount of cash you can deposit. However, if you deposit $10,000 or more within 24 hours, the banks must report it to FINTRAC, and if you choose to deposit it before closing, it could be challenging to show where
the funds originate from. Make any cash deposits at least three months before buying a home. You must keep evidence of where the cash comes from.
If, on the closing date, your lender cannot trace the source of your downpayment, they will not release funds, regardless of your financial strength. If you do not have the funds to close, you will be in hot water because a string of other transactions might be affected, and you will have to carry the financial backlash.
If you plan to buy a home soon, start consolidating your accounts three to four months before. Keep the funds in a checking or savings account at the bank from which you will get the mortgage. This is an essential step towards a stress-free transaction.
YOUR HOROSCOPE
for the week of August 25 to August 31, 2024
THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: LEO, VIRGO AND LIBRA
ARIES: You may consider making a significant lifestyle change, such as becoming a vegetarian. You may need to reevaluate certain habits to improve your well-being.
TAURUS: You’ll bring people together for exciting activities in your personal or professional life. This will expand your social circle and increase your social media following.
GEMINI: If you’ve been waiting for approval on financing a project or a home purchase, it may finally arrive, making you very happy.
CANCER: Your phone will either be ringing off the hook or completely silent. If you leave urgent messages, you must be patient while waiting for a reply from certain people.
LEO: Improving your eating habits could benefit your health. Making significant changes to your lifestyle could help you become more vibrant and youthful.
VIRGO: You’ll have the opportunity to meet new people who will introduce you to new spiritual experiences. This will lead you on exciting adventures. At work, you’ll expand your customer base internationally.
LIBRA: Anticipate significant changes at work. Although they may cause stress initially, they’ll improve your financial situation considerably.
SCORPIO: You may have a strong desire for change and transformation, which could cause you to question the shade of the walls in your home. You could spontaneously go to the hardware store to get paint samples.
SAGITTARIUS: Updating your wardrobe, hairstyle and accessories will enhance your confidence and credibility in your professional role, ultimately boosting your self-esteem and others’ trust in you.
CAPRICORN: You may be given new responsibilities at work due to colleagues leaving, but you’ll rise to the challenge and feel proud of your accomplishments.
AQUARIUS: If offered a project, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons before accepting it. Is it a rewarding opportunity that could improve your quality of life? You must think it over carefully.
PISCES: You’ll be in an excellent position to negotiate something that will elevate your status. You could also perform a heroic act simply by listening to someone attentively for a few moments.
CROSSWORDS
HOW TO PLAY :
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.
Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column, or 3x3 box.
PUZZLE NO. 112
PUZZLE NO. 822
COOK : Someone to cook once a week at their home large order of Roti, curry chicken and curry potatoes. Cost to be discussed. Email postiexyz@yahoo.ca FOR SALE: Shirt jacks for sale,All sizes all colors. Call 416-474-3454
FOR SALE: Snow tire on rims for small SUV in Good ConditionP205-75-15 905-454-3085.
FOR SALE: Time Share in Tornberry, 1.5 from Toronto. Studio size call 416-474-3454.
WINTER TIRES FOR SALE: 4 winter tires on rims fit a Chevy Equnox ( 235.55.R17 ) $500 or best offer call 416-875-5177
FOR SALE ANNOUNCEMENTS
FILM FESTIVAL: Submit your film to the Ann Arbor Black Film Festival TODAY! Give your film a chance to be a part of Ann Arbor’s 200th celebration. Go to a2bff.org
CARETAKER: For Weekend Sat and Sun, Must have experience with elderly and canadian reference. Bathurst and Steeles 10:30am to 8:30pm. Call 437-818-5208
ASSOCIATE
Laparkan is looking for a Warehouse Associate in Shipping and Receiving.
No experience necessary. Will train on the Job.
Send Resume to hrca@laparkan.com or call 416-292-4370
FOR RENT: Furnished 1 Bedroom Basement For Rent. Close to TTC Bus and Subway Stations. Schools, Shopping Centres, and all other Amenities. Sharing Kitchen & Washroom with one other person. Located in Scarborough, Toronto, Just South of Markham Road & Kingston Road. $1,250.00/month incl. utilities. Available Now. (416)459-6155.
FOR RENT: 2 bedroom basement appt for rent. Edenbrook and Mayfied, Brampton Available 1st may, separate entrance, $2200 per month including utilities. Call 647-700-7260.
right of refusal.
Quiz:
How much do you really know about drowsy driving?
Drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents. According to the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, fatigue is a factor in up to 21 per cent of motor vehicle collisions. Do you know how to prevent drowsy driving, recognize it and react when it occurs? Find out by answering these questions:
1. Which motorists are most at risk of experiencing driver fatigue?
A. Night shift workers
B. People with sleep disorders
C. People under 30 or over 55
D. All of the above
2. What are the warning signs of driver fatigue?
A. Frequent yawning and itchy eyes
B. Difficulty maintaining a constant speed
C. Not remembering the last few kilometres
D. All of the above
3. Which of these effects is not associated with driver fatigue?
A. Difficulty concentrating
B. Increased vigilance
C. Reduced field of vision
D. None of the above
4. Which of the following techniques can counteract driver fatigue?
A. Cranking the radio up or singing at the
top of your lungs
B. Rolling down the windows
C. Taking a nap
D. None of the above
5. Where can you pull over if necessary?
A. In a business parking lot
B. On the shoulder/side of the road
C. In a loading/drop-off zone
D. None of the above
6. Being awake for 24 hours induces impairment equal to a blood alcohol level of what?
A. 0.05
B. 0.08
C. 0.10
D. None of the above
7. What can help prevent driver fatigue on long trips?
A. Alternating driving with a passenger
B. Avoiding driving on monotonous, dark roads at night
C. Reducing your speed and dashboard lighting
D. All of the above
Answers 1-D, 2-D, 3-B, 4-C, 5-A, 6-C, 7-D
Hail in the forecast?
Protect your car!
Hailstorms can be a fascinating sight to behold, but they can also threaten your vehicle, especially if the hailstones are as giant as golf balls! Fortunately, you can take several preventive measures to protect your car from Mother Nature’s wrath. Here’s an overview.
Keep an eye on the weather
Stay on top of storm warnings (and their projected intensity) so you’re adequately prepared.
Cover your car
Parking your car in a garage is the best way to avoid weather-related damage. However, if you don’t have access to indoor par-
king, get under a temporary carport (depending on the season) or use a protective cover. If you don’t have either, thick blankets will do the trick. Ensure they’re securely tied to your car’s hood, roof and trunk.
On the road? Look for a covered parking lot or an underground parking garage like a shopping mall. If you can’t find a covered area, park your car near a large building and take refuge close to the wall on the side that’s least exposed to the hail. If you get caught in a hailstorm, protect your car as best you can, using your car mats, for example.
Stay safe!
