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Volume 12 • Issue 18

Wednesday, October 11 2023

“We now see how detached he is from the reality of the ordinary people due to growing up wealthy and privileged. We have watched and heard him say outrageous things one day and the exact opposite the next, yet never seem to appreciate that he has pulled a 180. He treats high public office as a way to reward friends and punish rivals....”

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PAGE 2

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

TONYA WILLIAMS

Photo Credit: Owen Fox

Receiving her flowers at the Legacy Awards As the list of successful Black-Canadian entertainers grows, creating a space to celebrate their accomplishments has become the next step. In 2020, Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, Scarborough-born brothers who are both actors and producers, established The Black Academy. The purpose is to create a space to showcase Black excellence within the entertainment industry and provide training and knowledge for aspiring Black-Canadian entertainers.

A year after establishing The Black Academy, the brothers held the first annual Legacy Awards. Like any other award show, viewers and attendees could expect to see entertainment and watch as Black Canadian entertainers received awards for their achievements.

The 90-minute award show is the first major Canadian award show to celebrate and showcase Black-Canadian talent from across the country.

At this year’s award show, four exceptional Canadians received significant honours. Jully Black received the 2023 Icon Award. Lu Kala received the 2023 Emerging Artist Award. Director X (Julien Christian Lutz) received the 2023 Trailblazer Award, and Tonya Williams received the 2023 Visionary Award.

“I believe you’re calling finds you,” said Tonya Williams, who has had a career in the entertainment industry expanding over 40 years. Her career in the entertainment industry would start unexpectedly when her mother signed her up for a modelling course in Toronto. In her mother’s estimation, the program would be a fantastic way to teach one how to apply make-up correctly and gain confidence.

When Williams finished the course, Judy Welch, who ran the program, also operated an agency and asked Williams’ mother if she would mind having Williams go for some commercials and catalogue modelling. Williams’ mother gave Welch the thumbs up as long as it didn’t interfere with her schoolwork. For Williams, doing catalogues and commercials was something that she viewed

as fun while figuring out what she wanted to do career-wise.

While on set, Williams saw acting as a craft for the first time when meeting older people with training experiences from drama programs.

Hearing their stories made her realize acting was something people do for a living.

While taking a year off after her high school graduation, Williams continued to work in the industry. She auditioned for the drama program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) and got in.

Williams has made several achievements throughout her career, the first being the host of the TVO children’s show Polka Dot Door. Being on the show was a breakthrough for Williams as she was the first Black woman on the series. For the young viewers, it would be their first time seeing a person of colour on the show.

“What motivates me in the industry is the impact we have on the audience,” said Williams, who talks about how change is affected outside. For people of colour, Williams said they may be the first person of colour on a set, but they need to be the best because they are setting the stage for those who will come after them.

The move to Los Angeles was when Williams began to see more success as an actress. Her first gig in Los Angeles was a commercial for AT&T. It would be the first time Williams would make more money than she earned working in Canada. She lived off the money from that one commercial for three years. Her next big move would be when she played Dr. Olivia Winters on The Young and The Restless for 19 years. With the show well-known internationally, people began to know Williams’ name worldwide.

Williams used her new-found platform to create the Reelworld Foundation to provide a platform for BIOPIC, who want to achieve in the industry. When invited to speak at events, people of colour ask questions about how they could make it in Los Angeles due to the lack of opportunities available in Toronto. It saddened Williams to know that things

had not changed, but she was willing to help make a change.

So, she poured her energy into creating Reelworld. The idea of Reelworld is to create a platform for Canadians of colour to grow and achieve opportunities through various programs, such as their mentorship and the Reelworld Film Festival.

Being part of a film festival can lead to funding and other career opportunities. Before the creation of Reelworld, many Canadians of colour experienced rejection from predominantly White film festivals. The Reelworld Film Festival has opened the doors for Canadians of colour and became a game-changer in providing opportunities for minorities.

This year’s Reelworld Film Festival will happen from November 1st, to 7th, 2023. For the first time since its 23-year run, the festival will hold a summit to address what needs to change in the industry.

It wasn’t the only block Williams challenged through Reelworld.

Williams also started programs to help people pitch ideas to producers, improve their scriptwriting, and provide a training program for agents, casting directors, producers and managers who identify as Black.

In regard to receiving the 2023 Visionary Award, Williams is happy to receive an award from her community. Although she said it’s great to receive an award in general, receiving an award from her community means so much more to her.

With Anderson and James being the generation after her, Williams said the two brothers have the platform to create a better change. It gives her more hope to see what’s in store for the Legacy Awards in the future.

Photo Credit: George Pimentel

Photographer: Photo Credit: Phillip Miller Photo Credit:

MylesLady “Jay” Joseph Photo Credit: Evermore Media PhotoRic Credit: Mensah Mathis @ricmathis

Written by Sydnee Walcott Toronto Caribbean News

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PAGE 3

Jamaica is doing big, big, tings! The push for brand Jamaica SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Jamaica has long been a popular destination spot for travellers around the world, and for great reasons: its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, reggae music scene, and warm climate have made it a favorite among tourists. Tourists flock to Jamaica to relax on the beautiful beaches, explore the Blue Mountains, visit historical sites such as the Bob Marley Museum, and indulge in delicious Jamaican cuisine. Jamaica’s popularity as a travel destination has been supported by its well-developed tourism infrastructure, including a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, and recreational activities that cater to various preferences and budgets.

In 2022, the JTB was declared: ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination,’ ‘World’s Leading Family Destination,’ and ‘World’s Leading Wedding Destination’ by the World Travel Awards, which also named it the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 15th consecutive year; and the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination’ for the 17th consecutive year; as well as the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Nature Destination’ and the ‘Caribbean’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination.

In addition, Jamaica earned seven awards in the prestigious gold and silver categories at the 2022 Travvy Awards, including: ‘‘Best Wedding Destination – Overall’, ‘Best Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program,’ ‘Best Cruise Destination - Caribbean’ and ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean.’

Even though as an island, Jamaica has taken its throne as the most popular travel destination, the team at the Jamaica Tourist Board have no plans on stopping the push for brand Jamaica. Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, arrived in Canada mid-September with a strong and ambitious objective to attract half a million Canadian visitors to the island destination by 2025.

Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White, and Fiona Fennell, Public Relations, and Communications Manager for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), joined the Minister on a winter marketing blitz in Toronto alongside JTB Regional Director for Canada, Angella Bennett. The multiday mission took place from September 20th to 23rd and included a series of industry engagements with travel partners, community groups and local media.

Throughout the week, Jamaica’s top tourism officials conducted meetings with senior executives from: Air Canada Vacations, Sunwing, Travel Brands, and Canada Jetlines, which will begin flights to Montego Bay on November 5th, 2023.

The strategic discussions focused on the integral role that airlines and tour opera-

tors play in driving the destination’s new 500,000-visitor goal, and the importance of collaboration between the JTB and industry partners in order to increase airlift and vacation packages to Jamaica for Canadian travelers.

“Canada represents major potential to attract a significant number of visitors to the island,” noted Minister Bartlett.

“We recently revealed an ambitious new goal to target half a million Canadian visitors annually by the end of 2025. Connecting with key tourism partners and stakeholders in the market this month allows us to nurture these critical industry relationships while identifying strategic growth tactics that will help us realize this 500,000-visitor objective.”

As part of its new growth plan, the JTB is looking to tap into the Asian-Canadian diaspora as an important emerging market for the island’s tourism sector.

Minister Bartlett highlighted the importance of the Asian demographic and the historical ties between Jamaica and China during his keynote address at the Mandarin Holidays/Sunbook gala event hosted in Toronto on September 20th, 2023. The event attracted more than 200 travel agents, tour operators and industry representatives who specialize in servicing the local Asian Canadian community.

The delegation from Jamaica also travelled to Hamilton to tour the extensive archive of the Hon. Louise BennettCoverly (Miss Lou) at McMaster University.

Minister Bartlett heralded the impressive collection of personal artifacts from the beloved Jamaican poet, folklorist, writer,

and educator. During his time at the University, the Minister also began a dialogue with the leadership to explore the possibility of establishing Satellite Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) for the furtherment of building tourism resilience across the globe.

Additional events and engagements during Minister Bartlett’s in-market mission included: a ‘Come Back to Luxury’ dinner event to launch Jamaica’s new luxury-focused partnership with Ensemble, the Edith Baxter Memorial Award luncheon and presentation of the inaugural Resilience Awards by the GTRCMC, and the Canada Regional Jamaica Diaspora Conference.

On Monday, September 25th, 2023, Director Donovan White, Regional Director Angella Bennett, and PR and Communications Manager Fiona Fennell travelled onward to Montréal to meet with representatives from Air Transat and host a special Destination Update event for French-Canadian travel advisors and industry partners in the Québec region.

“As Jamaica’s second-largest source market, Canada has seen tremendously strong growth over the last year,” noted Director White. “Our arrivals from 2023 are expected to outpace 2022 by more than 40 percent, and this is in large part due to the JTB’s strong working relationships with industry partners in Canada, and our strategic efforts to engage the retail travel community from coast to coast.”

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PAGE 5

Launch of historic new project immortalizes Lincoln Alexander in an exciting visual art experience PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The launch of an historic groundbreaking project to immortalize the life, legacy, and impact of Ontario’s first Lieutenant-Governor, will be an innovative and creative undertaking. It was on Monday, January 23rd, 2023, that a press release was issued to coincide with the inaugural celebration of Lincoln Alexander Day. It read, “The LINC Project Committee in collaboration with Licensed to Learn (L2L) successfully announced the commission of an artwork project, a bust to honour the first African- Canadian vice-regal in Canada The Honourable Lincoln MacCauley Alexander.”

In his lifetime, The Honourable Lincoln Alexander was a patron and advocate who was committed to advancing the mission and vision of L2L which puts literacy as a priority to advancing equitable justice. The L2L was dedicated to boosting student success by making academic support accessible and by creating opportunities for leadership, mentorship, and growth.

The mission of L2L is made possible by facilitating personalized peer tutoring programs and creating leadership development opportunities. The overall vision is to engage and support at-risk students with their learning and help them develop the skills they need to live and work successfully in the future.

A press release from the Government of Ontario issued on Tuesday, September 20th, 2023, describes the next phase of the project. It states, ”Today, the historic date that the Honourable Lincoln Alexander was both sworn into office as Canada’s first Black MP, and sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the LINC Bust Committee and License to Learn (L2L) are pleased to announce the kick off of the cre-

ation phase of the project to place a bust of Lincoln MacCauley Alexander at Queen’s Park, through a generous commitment from Black Opportunity Fund.”

The bust of ‘LINC: will be included as part of education tours of Queen’s Park and will serve as a symbol of inspiration and pride, especially for Black youth, but also for ALL Canadians.

This will be the first statue of a Black individual ever erected at Queen’s Park.

The official unveiling of the Lincoln Alexander bust will be in advance of Lincoln Alexander Day on January 21st, 2024. There will be a public ceremony that will mark the official public unveiling.

Quentin VerCetty, the Afroturust artist who has been commissioned to create the bust, expressed excitement about this important phase of the project. He states, “It’s exhilarating that we can now fire up the kiln ovens and get the bronze ready to take on the form that will celebrate the great and honourable Lincoln ‘Linc” MacCauley Alexander. I am deeply grateful for the sponsors’ generosity and the community’s determination to bring this project to life.”

Mitzie Hunter, former MPP. Scarborough Guildwood states, “Representation matters. Having a bust of the Honourable Lincoln Alexander in the corridor of Queen’s Park will serve as a visual inspiration to the thousands of people who will see it, many of whom are students. The bust will spark conversation, tell stories and honour Linc for having blazed a trail. I am so happy to have known him and have wonderful memories of our many encounters to treasure. I believe the bust will continue to keep his memory alive to inspire the next generation.”

Rosemary Sadlier, Chair of the LINC Bust Committee states, “This generous financial sponsorship by the Black Opportunity Fund, propels the project into the creative phase for its eventual public reveal at Queen’s Park, realizing the hope of our community symbolized by this remarkable creation.”

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

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Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

NEWS

PAGE 7

Antioxidants prevent and can reverse cancer, but a patient cured is a customer lost MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Why have 75 years of evidence that antioxidants can reverse cancer been ignored by both Big Pharma and the media? Let’s find out.

As far back as 2008, researchers at the University of Texas Anderson Cancer Center found that taking more vitamin E substantially reduces lung cancer.

Their study shows that people consuming the highest amounts of vitamin E had the greatest benefit. When they compared persons taking the most vitamin E with those taking the least, there was a 61% reduction in lung cancer risk.

Let’s go back some more as early as 1976; physicians in Scotland showed that intravenous vitamin C improved the quality and length of life in terminal cancer patients.

Even though lung cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer on earth and kills nearly 1.2 million per year, one would think that when there is promising news in this department it would be reported in a big way by mainstream

media, however, this is simply not the case. Vitamin sales are not as profitable to Big Pharma as hard drugs like those found in vaccines, and the major financial support for the media (and medical journals) is pharmaceutical advertising, there is not much of a surprise here.

Dr. Andrew Saul Ph.D. said this of antioxidants and the treatment of cancer, “When we look at high doses of vitamin C given intravenously as a chemotherapeutic agent, we have wonderful uplifting news for every cancer patient in the world, and it easy, safe and inexpensive to have a physician give an IV, you just have to insist on it.”

I believe in the next 10 years this will become more accepted, but people with cancer can’t afford to wait, and the ones that are already gone have been grossly mistreated by the medical profession, and by the government that is supposed to encourage free research and development of all possibilities.”

Dr. Saul said this over a decade ago yet look at where the medical profession has gone. Saul went on to say, “Instead of treating cancer with chemotherapy, you can give intravenous vitamin C in 30, 60, or 100,000 milligrams a day, directly into the bloodstream, and that will kill cancer cells. Vitamin C at that high dose is selectively toxic to cancer cells, and that is exactly what chemo is, except for getting nauseous, losing

your hair, all you do is get better.”

This evidence and more have been dismissed by several medical fraternities like ACS and Cancer UK as false, and for decades the three advocated cancer treatments have been cut, zap, and drug: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The use of high doses of vitamins has been thoroughly excluded.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people have died from cancer that could have been helped, or even saved by using some of the treatments mentioned by folks like Dr. Saul.

While looking into the effects of antioxidants on cancers I came across this quote from Medical News Today.

“For lung cancer patients, taking vitamin E may cause the same increases in

cancer’s ability to spread as the NRF2 and KEAP1 mutations that our team has linked to shorter survival.” (Thales Papagiannakopoulos, Ph.D.) Could this kind of suggestion be made to discourage patients from trying anything but the state-sanctioned drugs?

Big Pharma’s mentality toward patients has never changed, if that were the case, hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin would be easily available today.

The next time the government or Big Pharma’s media mouthpiece starts bashing a remedy, patients might want to take a second look. I am just wondering, could the logo be “A patient cured is a customer lost?”

has been

PAGE 8

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Canadians are watching as our country slowly becomes one of the worst countries to live in SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Stand down! I wanted to start this cover story with a simple request that is becoming more popular when speaking about our current leader Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Stand down! We, the people of Canada are starting to see beyond the pretty smiles, the picture opportunities, and the practiced speeches. Canadians are watching as our country slowly is becoming one of the worst countries to live in: we are getting pummeled by unaffordable housing and rising cost of living, and some are beginning to trust that the Conservatives will solve it more than the Liberal incumbents.

We now see how detached he is from the reality of the ordinary people due to growing up wealthy and privileged. We have watched and heard him say outrageous things one day and the exact opposite the next, yet never seem to appreciate that he has pulled a 180. He treats high public office as a way to reward friends and punish rivals.

We have witnessed him admire strongmen leaders and dictatorial governments (Castro and China in Trudeau’s case; Putin, Erdogan and Kim Jong-Un for Trump), and he has cluelessly divided our country for the sake of his own re-elections. He speaks about spreading disinformation while he spreads disinformation, demands censorship, freezes the bank accounts of people who criticize him, and smears ordinary Canadians as Nazis.

Our Prime Minister’s behaviour caught the attention of two high profile social media users: Elon Musk, the owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, and journalist Glenn Greenwald. The pair blasted to their

combined 160 million X followers a sharp condemnation of Canada and the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, with Elon charging that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was trying to crush free speech.

In 2022, our Prime Minister was actually banned from entering Russia, according to a press release on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website. Can you imagine; our leader being banned from another country strictly for his conduct? In the span of five days, our Prime Minister managed to alienate the government of the largest democracy on Earth; anger key allies from Washington, D.C. to Canberra; and outrage Jews around the world.

Infamous and famed psychologist Jordan Peterson has compared Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Gaston from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. If you remember the character Gaston, he is portrayed as a handsome, arrogant, and egotistical hunter, admired by many in the village for his looks and charm. He is also extremely self-centered and believes that he is entitled. Gaston is characterized by his extreme vanity, chauvinism, and a manipulative nature. His relentless pursuit of what he wants, and his willingness to go to great lengths, including resorting to violence and manipulation, make him a memorable and formidable antagonist in the story.

Despite his good looks, Gaston’s personality traits, including his arrogance and lack of empathy, make him one of Disney’s most iconic villains. He represents the dangers of toxic masculinity and the importance of looking beyond outward appearances when judging others.

This is the man we have running our country! What he is doing in Canada should terrify everyone in the Western world who cares about being free from government tyranny, censorship, and disinformation. Alongside a laundry list of despicable behaviour, Trudeau has pioneered a new way for governments to take control over the information environment — spreading disinforma-

tion and demanding censorship.

As has been the modus operandi since election day in Canada (October 19th, 2015), Trudeau’s job has been to smile and look pretty, preferably while holding an iPhone at arm’s length surrounded by adoring female supporters. His proclivity for vain self-inclusion into the narrative of anything political has not gone unnoticed. I don’t know how many of us are aware of the disturbing G20 selfie that he took a day after the Paris massacres by Islamic terrorists. It accurately demonstrates exactly what sort of individual we are dealing with here.

Veja magazine and Amnesty International both came out swinging against the Prime Minister — the former blasting him as a “narcissistic” pretty boy who is soft on terror, and the latter criticizing him for not doing enough to rescue a jailed Saudi blogger.

In the article, roughly translated as “Justin Trudeau is cute, but very ordinary: Everything is wrong with Canada’s Prime Minister, except his appearance,” columnist Vilma Gryzinski paints Canada’s head of government as a shallow aristocrat leading an “organized” country down the path to destruction.

His most recent behaviour has not helped him at all; at the end of September, he was among those in a packed House of Commons who stood and applauded a veteran of a Nazi unit in the Second World War. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized last Wednesday on behalf of Parliament for the incident that he called a “horrendous violation” of the memory of those murdered in the Holocaust.

It is no wonder that a recent survey found more Canadians consider Justin Trudeau the worst Prime Minister of the last 55 years than any other PM, while his father ranks as the most popular. The survey was conducted by Research Co., and it found that 30% said the current Prime Minister is the worst among recent PMs, while his predecessor Stephen Harper comes in second at 18%.

In addition, 20% of surveyed Canadians believe that Pierre Trudeau has been the best prime minister since 1968, marking

a one-point increase compared to a similar survey conducted in June 2022. On the other hand, 11% of Canadians said the same thing about Justin Trudeau. In Alberta, Justin Trudeau’s negative rating reached 45%, while it’s 36% in British Columbia and 36% in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

According to July numbers from the Angus Reid Institute, Trudeau now has an approval rating of just 33%, against a disapproval rating of 63%.

A larger pattern of bizarre Trudeau behaviour is coming into focus, Canadians now realize, that’s been obscured by his progressive politics and human rights activism at home and abroad. Our country’s leader has an Inability to adapt to change, or consider new ideas, which has been detrimental to us as citizens. As citizens, we need a leader who has the ability to be flexible and openminded to navigate the ever-changing business landscape. We deserve a capable leader who takes responsibility for their actions and decisions. His lack of accountability has led to a toxic societal environment where no one takes ownership, hindering the country’s progress.

A great Prime Minister should have a clear and inspiring vision for the future of the country. This vision provides direction and motivates both the government and the citizens. The ability to be truthful and having strong moral principles are vital for any leader, and citizens must be able to trust their prime minister to make decisions that are in the best interest of the nation.

A great Prime Minister can inspire, persuade, and rally people around common goals through their words. A great Prime Minister is empathetic towards the needs and concerns of the citizens, and understanding the challenges faced by different segments of society helps in creating policies that are inclusive and beneficial for everyone.

Canadians, don’t you think we deserve a leader with a clear vision for the future and a strategic plan to achieve goals?

Stand down Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; it is time to stand down!

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

NEWS

PAGE 9

The NEW Dream Chaserzzz Training Facility; Overcoming obstacles, and reimagining basketball training with a purpose SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

If you are an entrepreneur, you know how challenging it is to first start your business, and of course to keep that business going.

You are not bound by the rules and regulations of a corporate environment. This independence can be liberating and empowering because you have now turned your creative ideas into reality. You see your business as being innovative; as you create new products or services, you understand your power to disrupt existing markets.

The process of bringing something new and valuable into the world is incredibly exciting because you were able to identify a problem that needed solving, or a need that hasn’t been met, and your business addresses these issues, which has had a positive impact on your community. Knowing that your work is making a difference has been a powerful motivator.

There is a deep sense of pride that comes from building something from

scratch. Seeing an idea transform into a viable business is an accomplishment that brings immense satisfaction.

Now imagine that after all this work, you show up to your place of business and there is a lock on the door. You have been evicted, and you have no idea why. You begin to call around, searching for answers, and the answer you are met with perplexes you. All that you have built has been disrupted due to someone else’s negligence.

The story that I am about to share with you is one that I know will: inspire, motivate, and remind us of the incredible strength that lies within the human spirit.

Dream Chaserzzz Basketball Inc. has become a place where you can come in and expect to be trained and treated like a pro athlete no matter what level you’re currently at.

With some of the best trainers the city has ever produced, they have partnered, trained, and worked with: Chris Boucher (Toronto Raptors), Serge Ibaka (Toronto Raptors), Tamara Tatham (Team Canada), Terrence Jones (Houston Rockets), Kayla Alexander (San Antonio Stars/Indiana Fever -WNBA), and an extended list of remarkable athletes.

It was going so well for founder Justin Alliman, until the day that he found out that all that he had built had come to a dead halt. “It was an extremely frustrating experience for me, Simone,” Justin tells me. “I thought that I had a partnership with someone, only to find out that the person had been lying to me the whole time.”

What had happened was the building that Justin was renting had evicted Dream Chaserzzz Basketball Inc., not because of anything he had done, but because the person who he was sharing the space with had not been paying their portion of the rent. For months this was happening, and the person had said nothing to Justin. He had to find out the hard way when he arrived at the facility, and he was unable to get in.

“It was a hard hit for me,” Justin explains. “It is one thing if I knew, if I was the one not paying to keep my facility open, but that was not the case. Someone who I thought was a partner was deceiving me, and this had cost me my business, and maybe even my reputation.”

Justin had to think quickly, hustle hard, and do the unimaginable. Thankfully, his spirit was not easily crushed, and in only a few months, he was able to do the unthinkable.

On Sunday October 1st, 2023, the premier year-round basketball training academy Dream Chaserzzz Basketball announced the grand re-opening of its Dream Chaserzzz Training Facility after an extensive renovation and expansion. This marked a significant milestone in their journey to provide the community with a state-of-the-art basketball facility and exceptional wellness experience.

The re-opening celebration was scheduled, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, at 71 Innovation Drive, Woodbridge, unit #7, and they invited the community, along with specially selected

members of the media to join in the festivities.

At the NEW Dream Chaserzzz Training Facility, they have reimagined basketball training and added purpose. Their revamped facility boasts cutting-edge equipment, spacious workout areas, and innovative basketball programs designed to cater to basketball enthusiasts at all levels. The grand re-opening introduced several exciting features and amenities, as well as: prize giveaways, complimentary classes, free haircuts (first come, first serve), and more surprises throughout the day.

“Getting better isn’t just about training hard; it’s about training with purpose,” explained Justin. “It is more than just a training facility; it’s a community dedicated to empowering athletes to be their best regardless of the circumstances. With a commitment to providing top-notch training, expert guidance, and a supportive atmosphere, we strive to inspire our athletes to achieve their training goals and make their basketball dreams a reality.”

Overcoming challenges is an inherent part of entrepreneurship, as our story has illustrated. While it can be stressful, it’s also immensely rewarding. Every obstacle surmounted is a victory and a chance for personal and professional growth. With Dream Chaserzzz’s Training Facility, Justin is building something that will outlast him, and creating a successful business that he can leave for future generations.

Give me fair priced food, energy, and affordable housing, or prepare for trouble!

STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The national government and its individual provinces all have emergency powers that they can use to effectively get something done immediately.

Food, energy, and housing are rising out of control. The prices set are not done by some independent agency called the marketplace (as business would like to refer), but by individual grocers, petroleum firms and developers with the real estate agents.

The government spends millions telling us to eat local, fresh veggies, fruits, and food, while they also allow “the marketplace” to make it impossible to feed a family of four with anything fresh.

Do government personnel, MP’s and MPP’s go to the grocery store, fill their own ve-

hicles or search for housing?

If they did those who could make our lives easier to live would realize a conspiracy is upon us all, where the scrooge of business, the welfare industry is reliant upon food banks and donations, while corporations, boardrooms and wealth cats can do whatever they want, and of course that is make more and more profit.

Housing is extremely expensive because developers and their henchmen real estate agents dictate the value of homes, built for the well-off while generating huge profits.

Before you go off to developers and real estate Industry hacks and ask them if they are making lots of money, realize you cannot ask the robber if he will be robbing you so you could prepare right? Gangsters steal, bank robbers rob, and developers make expensive housing. Don’t ask the government for help, because they’ll just increase interest rates, affecting not just housing starts but everyone else in the “marketplace”.

Could the Liberals in Ottawa or Conservatives at Queens Park have declared a real specific emergency for the big three: food, housing, and energy, allowing them to take actions against the profiteering business sector of these three. High prices affect everyone, every small to medium business. Like the prof-

iteering that happened pre-WW1 and WW2, where manufacturers sensing government procurement of food, weapons, aircraft, metals etc. increased their prices many times over the original prices. This happens today in our normal procurement system be it: municipal, provincial, or federal.

The Ross Rifle Canadian Troops, relied upon during WW1, was sold to the federal government by its owners, one being a Minister of the Crown 10x its original price just because the government needed it. It was a sniper rifle that had no place in the trenches of Europe, or our soldiers threw them away and picked up from a fallen British Soldier his superior Lee Enfield Rifle.

We all are far too dependent upon our governments. Look what happened during the pandemic and say it is not so? So, how about depending upon our governments to bring justice into the mix. Fair priced food, energy, and housing. Affordable housing to allow our fellow citizens to begin their lives, apartments that cost less than a family’s whole wage. Energy costs without the progressive green taxes. If the federal government removes, or freezes on-going green taxes, we can see who the real culprits are regarding excessive food prices, the corporations that control our agricultural landscape with its retail

partners. Governmental preference should go to local growers, who could get a fair incentive from the government, allowing the small growers of Ontario and Canada to raise their families and acquire a nest egg for their possible retirement.

The housing sector can be persuaded to play ball with the government, not receiving excessive taxes to force their compromise, but establishing a National Building Association with governments as their primary members. Municipal, provincial, or even the federal governments can design, build, and finance affordable housing starts all over the nation. Apartment buildings, prefab insulated housing can all happen if we help direct our governments away from dependence upon the private sector and place their investments into projects for the people of Canada for a change. Housing will remain excessively high so long as we allow it. Our housing preferences, our expectations must change, and with it our excessive hunger for lifestyle property, foods, and vehicles too.

Manage our expectations, realize our budgetary demands, get a hold upon our consumer hunger. Allow our governments to make available what we truly need, affordable housing, less costly energy, and food.

PAGE 10

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

A triumphant win against the WSIB’s practice of ending compensation to migrants SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Migrant workers in Canada have faced various issues over the years, and these issues vary depending on the specific program, or sector in which they are employed. Migrant workers, particularly those in low-skilled or seasonal jobs, are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse by unscrupulous employers.

These exploitations include wage theft, substandard working conditions, and violations of labor rights. They often face inadequate and substandard housing conditions provided by their employers, and this can include overcrowded housing, poor sanitation, and inadequate access to basic amenities.

Many migrant workers come to Canada through programs, which are designed to address labor shortages in certain industries. However, these programs often tie workers to specific employers, limiting their ability to switch jobs and making them more dependent on their employers.

This leaves workers at risk of exploitation and abuse, and many migrant workers fear deportation if they report workplace violations or seek help from authorities. It is sad

because it deters them from addressing their concerns or pursuing legal remedies.

The Canadian government has claimed to address some of these issues by implementing policy changes, increasing inspections of workplaces, and providing more protections for migrant workers. However, for some reason, even with the so-called government interventions, challenges persist, and advocacy groups and labor unions continue to push for further reforms to improve the rights and conditions of migrant workers in Canada.

In the latest fight for migrant farmworkers, advocacy groups have long called the WSIB’s practice of ending compensation to migrants outrageous, xenophobic, and deeply unjust. Last week, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal agreed.

“It’s been a long time coming and a rough road for us migrant workers when we pick up an injury and cannot come back or work and provide for our families. Justice served by the Tribunal can help other workers so that they don’t go through what we’ve been through. We’ve been treated very dishonestly by WSIB,” says Leroy Thomas, a migrant worker, who has bravely come forward about his experiences here in Canada.

As a participant on the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP), Leroy left his young family in Jamaica to work the fields in Ontario for up to eight months a year. In 2017, he suffered a permanent back injury that ended his 16-year career in Ontario.

The WSIB knew that Leroy could not

come back to work in Ontario with his injury but cut his benefits as if he could. They told Thomas that, if he could still work in Ontario, he could restore his income with his disability by getting a job as a parking lot attendant.

It ended his Loss of Earnings compensation shortly after his injury as if he was working that job.

The WSIB’s practice forced Leroy, and injured migrant workers like him, into poverty with no realistic way of restoring their income in Jamaica with their injuries.

Leroy then started to organize with Justice for Migrant Workers and Injured Workers Action for Justice to press the WSIB for changes.

He also appealed his case with three other injured migrant workers.

IAVGO Community Legal Clinic have come forward to represent Leroy Thomas and other workers in the appeal. IAVGO is a legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario and fights for the rights of injured workers, including migrant and precarious workers.

This work was done with the support of Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW) and Injured Workers Action for Justice (IWA4J). J4MW is a volunteer-based, grassroots organization based in Ontario and BC that promotes the rights of migrant workers both locally and transnationally. IWA4J is a group of injured workers and their supporters fighting for respect and fairness from the WSIB. “The WSIB’s failure to apply the law to migrant workers is rooted in the xenophobic and a racist belief that injured migrant workers are disposable and their injuries are

not worthy of compensation. This ruling unequivocally tells WSIB that they are wrong,” says Chris Ramsaroop, from Justice for Migrant Workers.

The Tribunal ruled that WSIB has been illegally reducing compensation of racialized injured migrant workers for decades.

The victory is part of a long struggle by farmworkers and their advocates for justice for migrant workers injured in Ontario’s workplaces.

In an extensive ruling that took official notice of the institutional racism that migrant farm workers face, the Tribunal determined that the WSIB’s practice of ending compensation to migrant farm workers was illegal, and reinstated Loss of Earnings compensation to a group of four permanently injured migrant workers from Jamaica.

The ruling stems from a WSIB practice that reduces partially injured migrant workers’ Loss of Earnings benefits after 12 weeks by pretending they can earn income from suitable work in Ontario even though such work is not available to injured migrants.

In their landmark decision, the Tribunal said that WSIB must provide meaningful retraining and/or compensation based on the individual circumstances and labour market realities that migrant workers face in their home countries. In doing so, it determined that migrant workers are entitled to the same interpretation of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act as other Ontario workers.

Books open our worldview, bans limit it; the 2023 Black and Caribbean Book Affair PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

It will be an inspirational and empowering three-day at the annual Black and Caribbean Book Fair. It will be held from October 12th to 14th at the Blackhurst Cultural Centre.

The theme for this year is, “Books Open Our Worldview, Bans Limit it.” The tagline for this year’s event is “Affirming African presence and history, no erasure here -International Decade for People of African descent” (20152024).

On Thursday, October 12th, the first day of the Book Fair there will be reflections on the significance of the International De-

cade for People of African Descent (20152024) by Kemba Byam, Acting Manager, City of Toronto’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit.

Sarah Onyango will interview GauZ regarding his novel, “Standing Heavy,” which has been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. It is described in the press release as a funny, fast-paced, and poignant take on Franco-African history, as told through the eyes of three African security guards in Paris.

On Saturday, October 13th, the second day of the Book Fair there will be a presentation on the No.2 Construction Battalion, nicknamed the Black Battalion by historian Kathy Grant between 10:30 am - 12:00 pm.

There will be a presentation geared to students, which will focus on the work of an illustrator in the creation of children’s books between 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. In the evening there will be the launch of the book, “The Letters: Postmark Prejudice in Black and White,” authored by Sheila White in conver-

sation with Itah Sadhu.

Asha Bromfield will launch her book, “Songs of Irie,” between 3:30 - 4:30 pm in conversation with author Gayle Gonsalves.

Yolanda T. Marshall, children’s literature author, will be presented with the 2023 My People Award. This award is presented to an: African, Black or Caribbean writer in Canada who is excelling at their craft and telling the stories of our heritage in their work.

Yolanda is a Guyanese-born author who has been living in Canada since 1978.

On Saturday, October 14th, the last day of the book fair will be jam-packed with a session starting at 10:00 am. There will be a workshop for up-and-coming writers titled,” The World of Distribution-the Dos and Don’ts,” which will run until 11:00 a.m.

The workshop will be conducted by leading experts in the publishing industry such as: Maria Martella, owner of Tinlids Inc., and Kwame Scott Fraser, President, and Publisher of Dundurn Press.

Audley-Coley and Michelle Muir will talk about the book, “Audley Enough: A

Portrait and Recovery in the Face of Mania and Depression, “ which is penned by Lesley Whyte Redgord and Patricia Lavoie between 11:30 pm - and 12:30 pm. Subsequently, there will be a performance by pannist Suzette Vidale and Yolanda Marshall to celebrate “ Culture Days,” between 1:00 pm-2:00 pm.

The intermingling of storytelling and steel pan will be geared to kids for them to see the connection between reading and soca music.

Award-winning children’s literature author Nadia L. Hohn will present her book, “The Antiracist Kitchen:21 Stories (and Recipes)” between 2:30 -and 3:15 p.m. It is an anthology featuring stories and recipes from racialized authors about: food, culture and resistance.

The Book Fair will conclude with a community conversation titled, “Black Women, Oral History and Social Activism In Canada.” It will feature three Black historians: Dr. Karen Flyn, Dr. Funke Aladejebi and PhD candidate Catherine Grant-Wata, Department of History, University of Toronto.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

NEWS

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The current state of our emergency departments is unacceptable SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

It is about 12:30 am, and your daughter/son has a high fever, they are vomiting, and having trouble breathing. Your first thought as a parent; it is time for a trip to the emergency room. It is too late to call your doctor, and unlike back in the days, doctors do not make home visits. The only thing is that you know what comes with going to an emergency room; patients are prioritized based on the severity of their condition, with the most critical cases seen first. While this system is essential to ensure that the most urgent cases receive immediate attention, it can lead to longer waits for patients with less severe issues.

Emergency rooms usually have limited resources, including beds, medical equipment, and staff. Limited resources can result in delays in providing care and conducting necessary tests. Let’s be honest here; waiting in an emergency room can be a frustrating and stressful experience for patients and their families. What are the options though? You have an emergency, and you are just going to have to sit and wait.

Last week I received an email from

the undersigned people of Canada, wishing to draw attention to an urgent issue that affects the health and well-being of our fellow citizens and the overall healthcare system in our country. They are urging the Canadian provincial and territorial Health Ministers to take immediate action to address the critical issues of long wait times, overcrowding and closures, and the associated harms across our nation’s emergency departments.

We know that emergency departments (ED) are a vital component of our healthcare system, the front door to our healthcare system, providing essential care to those in dire need. However, the ongoing issues of long wait times, overcrowding and closures have far-reaching consequences, endangering patients’ lives and compromising the quality of care they receive. It is the government’s responsibility, at all levels, to ensure that people living in Canada have timely access to quality healthcare services, and the current state of our emergency departments is unacceptable – for both those receiving and providing care.

There are reported harms associated with long wait times, overcrowding and closures in our emergency departments: •

•

Delayed care: Patients experiencing life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, or severe injuries often face delayed treatment, leading to worsened health outcomes.

Patient safety and excess deaths: ED overcrowding and long wait times may be causing excess deaths potentially leading to an estimated 8,000-15,000

•

•

•

•

Canadian patients dying unnecessarily per year as a direct result of hospital overcrowding.

Increased patient, family, and caregiver suffering: Extended wait times, overcrowding and ER closures cause unnecessary suffering, anxiety, and discomfort for patients, families and their caregivers exacerbating the stress of their medical emergencies.

Workforce wellbeing: Overcrowded ED’s place immense pressure on our healthcare professionals, leading to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and potentially compromising the quality of care they can provide.

Resource allocation challenges: ED overcrowding strains healthcare resources, diverting valuable resources away from other essential medical services and elective procedures, leading to a ripple effect throughout the healthcare system.

Economic burden: Inefficient use of healthcare resources results in higher healthcare costs for the government and taxpayers, as well as lost productivity due to patients’ extended hospital stays and recovery times.

There is this misconception that Canada’s universal health care is free. We as Canadian taxpayers pay for it through a variety of ways in the taxes we pay to the government. The government is accountable to us as taxpayers when using these funds to allow for safe, timely, quality, and accessible care.

To address these critical issues, the

undersigned respectfully request the following immediate action steps proposed by the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP): • Continued bidirectional communication between CAEP and provincial health systems regarding the crisis.

• Increase hospital bed capacity to match the demands of the population and enhance inpatient flow.

• Implement effective patient flow management strategies within hospitals to reduce bottlenecks.

• Enhance support for primary care services and expand access to communitybased healthcare resources.

• Facilitate seamless communication and collaboration between EDs, hospital administration and primary care providers.

Taking these steps is a minimum; the Canadian provincial and territorial Health Ministers can start alleviating the suffering of countless patients, improve the working conditions for our healthcare professionals, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our healthcare system.

Canadians are urging provincial and territorial Health Ministers to prioritize this pressing issue and take decisive action, improve transparency and accountability to address the crisis of wait times, overcrowding and ED closures in our Canadian emergency departments. The health and wellbeing of our fellow people depend on their commitment to acting promptly.

Jamaica is a powerful medium for sustainable and inclusive growth PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Honourable Edmund Bartlett has been an innovative and creative leader in the tourism industry for over twenty years. Since his appointment as Minister of Tourism in 2007 he has received much praise for his leadership as a pioneering and visionary tourism leader.

Minister Bartlett’s inspirational leadership has enabled Jamaica to record over $2.2 billion in revenue over the last year from the tourism sector.

Minister Bartlett believes that Jamaica is a powerful medium for sustainable and inclusive growth to create jobs and

wealth creation and community transformation through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). In addition, through the Tourism Linkages Network, Agriculture, Entertainment and Manufacturing have been integrated into the sustainable tourism ecosystem to ensure that local goods and services are consumed within the tourism communities.

The institutionalization of the first Tourism Workers Pension Scheme in the Caribbean became effective in January 2021, and it was a game changer for many tourism-related workers. It ensures that about 350,000 workers whether permanent, contract, or self-employed receive coverage as a result of employers and employees paying into this pension fund.

Mr. Bartlett has received recognition both regionally and internationally as one of the most prominent tourism leaders in the world. In his first tenure in 2018, he was appointed to the African Tourism Board as a sitting Minister. In 2019, he facilitated the First United Nations World Tourism Organi-

zation (UNWTO) Conference on Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTES). It was a collaboration between the Government of Canada and UNWTO. The basis of SMTES was to facilitate loans that ensure that capital is accessible in light of potential disasters.

He is the founder and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. It is primarily involved in destination preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions and crises. It has partnered with Kenya University in Nairobi and George Brown College in Toronto.

I interviewed Minister Bartlett on Friday morning, September 22nd, 2023, prior to the official part of the award ceremony. He shared with me his academic background in business and accounting prior to his venture into the private sector. His entry into public life and the tourism sector has afforded him opportunities to travel the world and learn valuable lessons from many countries. His

role with the GTRCMC enabled him to acquire significant insights and obtain best practices and evidence-based approaches to understanding the tourism industry.

Minister Bartlett mentioned that “Tourism is a consumptive activity that brings benefits not just to the individual tourist but also to varied stakeholders.” It has to do with creating positive experiences for individuals which in turn will improve their quality of life and evoke positive memories. He believes that tourism is a vehicle for economic prosperity as it creates jobs through the varied stakeholders in areas such as: transport, culture, agriculture, farming, arts and entertainment. It is within this context of a sustainable ecosystem that makes Jamaica’s tourism sector internationally recognized.

Canada is the second-largest source market where about 400,000 Canadians visited Jamaica before the pandemic. Minister Bartlett forecasts that there will be an increase of up to 500,000 per year by 2025.

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NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

THE HUMAN MEAT PROJECT! Yes, this article is for real; TRIGGER WARNING! SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

One body can feed up to 40 people* Donate now Together we could end world starvation, overpopulation, and climate change.

Based on average weight of 55kg/height 165cm I am not sure what to tell you, community; there are some weird things happening in this world, and I am going to report something that most readers will find disturbing, weird, and extremely controversial.

I was sent a message from one of our readers about something they saw on Tik Tok that they thought I should investigate. It was a website called “THE HUMAN MEAT PROJECT,” yes, I just wrote that, and you just read it.

According to their website Human Meat Project, the practice of cannibalism is not uncommon in living beings. In both the animal kingdom and our human history, the consumption of one’s own species has existed. During the discovery of the New World, Christopher Columbus brought back what could be seen as early evidence of cannibalistic practices in modern civilization.

The word ‘cannibal’ comes from the name the Spanish gave to the Caribs (Cannibales). The Spanish accused the Caribbean tribe of ritualistically consuming their enemies, but modern-day scholars have doubts that it actually happened. They speculate the Caribs were engaged in an anti-colonial battle with a host of European

powers. Many historians now argue that the cannibalism rumors were just a propaganda tactic by the Spanish meant to provoke fear.

On the website they state that “In order to save the planet from the impact of our modern civilization and lifestyle, we have to make a change in our ideas about consumption and our dietary choices. We face climate change due to waste, pollution, deforestation, and overpopulation problems.

By donating your body for human consumption, you are taking direct action to help others and lessen the damage of the industrial age. By consuming human meat, we create a change in both our life and the world. By improving the standard quality of life in every country and nation, we can give everyone in the world a good life.”

There is more; let’s keep going…

The website also states that, “Human meat often understated for its nutrition, human meat protein and fat density could have the same or better than other convenient meat products like beef, chicken and pork.”

They claim that human meat taste and texture is similar to pork, not to mention the quality could be more substantial (depending on Quality-of-Life ratings). One body could feed up to 40 people, and it is also the most attainable resource for meat and fat consumption.

The organization welcomes every nation to give back to the rest of the world.

“We are calling you, humans, to wake up and take action now. We are not living individually and alone. We need each other to survive. Together we can create a world worth living for. Together we can build a world of humanity and solidarity. Every life is cardinal.”

Now, of course you know the fact check sites went off dispelling this website as being only a way for the artist of this project to develop their conceptual artwork. On

the website it states, “Our goal is to create an artwork that represents the current society as true as possible and can be accepted by the art world and non-art world. We are aware there is a high rate of non-art people who are unable to understand, or relate with modern artworks, thus, we want to create an artwork that resonates with the public and change how art can be delivered and perceived without any art knowledge.”

I have searched the internet far and wide, and I was unable to find this conceptual artwork that they are talking about. It looks like Snopes.com tried to do the same thing I did, and according to their website, “Sadly, we were able to find no information at all about the artist(s) behind the Human Meat Project, but we reached out via the website’s contact form and will update this article if we learn more.”

Hmmmmm!

During my research, I found that The Human Meat Project is reminiscent of a 2001 internet hoax called ManBeef.com, a faux commercial website that promoted itself as “Your choice for quality human meats, and gourmet human meat products.”

On July 26th, 2021, Stephanie Rogers wrote an article for Yahoo News about a company called BiteLabs. They were looking to market human test-tube meat, and they’re hoping to get celebrities like James Franco, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kanye West on board to donate tissue samples that will eventually become salami.

They describe a potential Ellen salami as “Black pepper and garlic with a playful kick of mustard [for] a highly approachable and well-rounded flavor,” J-Law’s as “Smoothed with notes of honey, and spiced with orange zest and ginger,” and Kanye’s as “Best paired with strong straight bourbon.”

James Franco’s salami would be “Arrogant, distinctive, and completely undeniable.”

There is more; when artist Orkan

Telhan exhibited steaks grown from human cells called “Ouroboros Steak” at the Design Museum in London, he received a flood of angry emails and social media posts calling him “wicked” and “pure evil.” According to Telhan, he wasn’t trying to encourage us to eat each other with his project, “It’s a statement on the fact that we can choose to use our own cells to produce lab-grown meats, but animals can’t provide the same consent.”

BiteLabs told The Los Angeles Times that its primary goal is to “Provoke discussion and debate around topics of bioethics and celebrity culture,” but also plainly stated that they’re gauging market interest for an actual lab-grown celebrity salami project. “We see inefficiencies, environmental hazards, and ethical problems in the world’s food production and distribution.

There are exciting opportunities to disrupt these industries while opening new ways to consume celebrity culture.”

To be clear, none of the celebrities featured in BiteLabs’ promo materials are actually affiliated with the project, but the company hopes the public will help get them and others onboard by tweeting at them. Again, upon research, the website link provided was no longer working. Very interesting!

All right, last one; in June 2022, a vegan burger said to “taste like human meat” won a silver award at the annual Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. The human meat burger, made from: soy, mushrooms, wheat protein, plant-based fats and a secret spice mix, debuted during a 2021 Halloween festival in Stockholm, Sweden.

Regardless if it is in the pursuit of art, or making a statement, I do not understand why websites that parade cannibalism-normalizing trends are even being found on the internet. There is something insidious brewing; something that we definitely need to keep an eye on.

Struggles of BIPOC youth in the housing crisis demands immediate attention PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Since it was founded by Dagma Koyi on July 23rd, 2015, Restoration and Empowerment for Social Change (REST) Centres has been at the forefront of providing practical strategies to help BIPOC youths deal with the many challenges related to homelessness. It changes their lives by providing them with a range of services that improve the quality of their lives. These include food and rent subsidies, tenant subsidies, tenant and financial literacy training and social integration services.

REST Centres follows a housingfirst, community-driven model which identifies these four areas: Shelter: Housing is our first priority Shelter is a fundamental human right, so we work on the premise that youth are in a better position to move forward with their lives, when they have stable housing. This means working quickly to secure: safe, affordable, and sustainable housing, with ongoing support to maintain their

tendencies, as the first step in our holistic approach.

• •

The four specific areas of focus are; • Transitional housing • Applicant assistance • Eviction prevention • Landlord training and support

The flagship program for this area is a “Black Youth Matter Hotline.”

The flagship program is “The Bridge of Hope.”

Living: Income, food and basic necessities From housing, we subsidize and help youth secure essential sources of income, food, personal care and household items.

The three focus areas in this category: • Rent subsidy • Food subsidy • Household starter packs The flagship program is “Bare Necessities.”

Healing: Physical, mental and emotional wellness Due to a lack of accessible resources and healthcare, especially for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth, our programs offer support to help heal the trauma that many homeless youth have experienced in their lives.

The three specific areas of focus are: • Physical health

Mental health Emotional health

Growing: Cultivating esteem, ability, and self-belief Education is a foundation of our approach.

Through tailored learning and development opportunities, youth build confidence, career and life skills that support their transition to independent living and beyond.

The six areas of focus in growing are: • Tenant education and support • Financial literacy • Home economics • Employment support • Mentorship • Work placements The Flagship Program that is offered is called L.I.F.E (Learning Initiative Fostering Employment) In its September 2023 newsletter, “The REST Insider,” it notes that, “The affordable housing crisis is at an all-time high in Canada and the entire market is almost completely inaccessible to young people at risk of homelessness.” It quotes statistics from Rentals.ca, which indicates that as of September 2023, Brampton and Mississauga are the two cities in Canada with the

fourth and fifth most expensive rents. It averages $2300/month and $2700/month in both cities which is a whopping increase of 44% from last year. Three vital factors are: Low social connection Youth experiencing homelessness are some of the most isolated individuals in our society. Young people are supposed to have a network of support in the form of parents, teachers, community leaders, siblings, and even friends to have their best interests in mind.

Credit score The credit score is one of Canada’s most telling markers of affluence and financial maturity and it’s something that most landlords now regard as part of a tenant’s application. This practice while understandable discriminates against young people with a shorter credit history and opportunities to build credit.

Guarantors When a young person does not have a good credit score, a landlord often asks for a guarantor, or a co-signer, someone the landlord can hold financially liable for the cost of rent and any arrears should the person default on their payments.

The newsletter concludes, “Youth experiencing and at risk of homelessness need more opportunities for growth in our society to succeed in their futures.”

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

NEWS

Say Cheese! The AYCE Gala celebrates the power of entrepreneurship SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The décor was opulent; beautiful floral arrangements, sophisticated lighting, and grandiose decorations greeted me as I walked into the much anticipated All You Can Eat Gala. I was treated to a welcome with a red-carpet entrance, and there was a sense of excitement as attendees arrived dressed in their most elegant, daring, and fashionable attire. Dluxe Photo Booths were strategically set up at the entrance to capture the glamorous arrivals, and naturally, I stopped to take a picture. Cheese!

I collected my swag bag, which was distributed to the first 50 guests, along with my raffle ticket. I must admit, I was excited. I had never been to an all you can eat gala in my entire life, so I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I was hungry.

Michelle Rochester who serves as President, CEO and Head Chef of MNR Catering is the brainchild behind the AYCE Gala.

Paul Junor, Toronto Caribbean Newspaper’s Community Journalist, had interviewed Michell on Thursday September 7th, 2023, and she emphasized that the AYCE Gala is a different brand and separate entity from MNR Catering.

“The All You Can Eat Gala celebrates and empowers individuals, creating an inclusive and uplifting atmosphere where people from all walks of life come together to share their stories, inspire one an-

other, and foster growth,” Michelle shared with Paul. “In order to amplify the benefits of the AYCE Gala there will be an emphasis on people, entrepreneurship, leadership and financial empowerment, the event is dedicated to breaking the stigma around issues and promoting equality, equity and diversity.”

As I took my seat, I recognized one of the hosts immediately; it was the one and only Jalen Nelson from Lick My Fashion, along with the beautiful Hip Hop Diva Taaylee G. As the DJ spun some R&B that took me back to a time, the top saxophonist in Toronto, Jay Smooth played alongside him, and kept the audience in a reminiscent state. I was having a great time, but I noticed that the time was ticking, and unfortunately, I was sitting at an all you can eat event, but there was no food. The appetizers were plentiful, but after a couple hours, you could tell that the attendees were starting to get anxious (hangry).

Jalen and Taaylee G kept us entertained by playing games like “Name that Tune,” and finally, Michelle arrived and explained to her guests what had happened.

Apparently, there were some issues when it came to preparing the food at the venue, so Michelle had to think on her feet. She and her team had to bring everything back to her home, cook it there, and then bring it back to the venue. Obviously, her nerves were shot by the time she arrived, but she gracefully shared her story, and the night carried on without any further hitches.

Ironically, in her interview with Paul, Michelle shared her excitement about the 2023 AYCE Gala as she believed that it was building on the lessons learned from the AYCE Gala in 2022. She shared with Paul that she had started planning nine months in advance to ensure that everything runs smoothly.” Life happens with a lot of un-

foreseen circumstances, and you want to be prepared for anything that comes your way.

It is important to have more than one plan.

This will help you stay protected should your plan go south. When working with other brands it is important to not only have written communication. Having a strict contract in place ensures both parties are aware of what they are committing to. Lastly, budgeting is what will save you when planning all the finer details.” Thankfully, Michelle was prepared and was able to handle the food disturbance elegantly.

What was powerful about The AYCE Gala was how well it celebrated the power of entrepreneurship through the many brands that were showcased. They included: DY Luxe, Skin so bold, Seetzz & Co Events, Ben Rose Apparel, Bad Beauty Boss, Resin 8 Unity, Just Create Toronto, FashionBuzz Boutique, A & A Juice, KNB, Kerl Beauty, Hidden Smirk Photo-booth, Sweeter needs, Nugs Popcorn, BFit, Vision Eleven, Shop Journeeranin, Exquisite Decor Events, Rochester Manor, Charcuterie Creations, Events

by Anieka and MNR Catering.

Michelle is excited to partner with the Toronto High Park FC (THPFC) as it directly provides help to many youths in the community of Rexdale who play soccer.

With her partnership with the Children’s Aid Society (CAS), the AYCE Gala champions human well-being and encourages everyone, men and women alike to join in solidarity and celebrate the incredible impact people have on the world.

Overall, it was a night of sophistication, extravagance, and the joy of contributing to a good cause. Even though things didn’t go exactly as planned, this is definitely an event I would attend again. Thank you, Michelle, for inviting the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper to be a part of this, you will continue to have our support.

“Real eyes recognize real lies.”

Is it possible that climate change is a lie?

MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Have you ever been told to do this, or do that, and if you do not do as you are told the world as we know it is going to end either from famine, drought, freezing temperatures, or some other concoction of lies? Well, I have some more lies to warn you about compliments of those creating the lying climate manual. Let’s begin.

New York City now sports a doomsday clock that is counting down the time that we have before the supposed effect of global warming becomes inevitable. This clock was conveniently set up just around the time that so-called lawmakers started telling us that we only have 12 years before the world ends. This lie was parroted by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an American politician.

Climate change is an old lie that has been refreshed again. In October of 1958, the New York Times ran an article which had this quote, “Some scientists estimate that the polar ice pack is 40 percent thinner and 12 per cent less in area than it was a half-century ago and that even

within the lifetime of our children, the Arctic Ocean may open, enabling ships to sail over the North Pole.”

This article went on to mention that the Arctic ice sheet was seven feet thick in 1958; guess what, this ice sheet is still seven feet thick today. As Jamaicans would say, See it Deh? Here is a quote from the Salt Lake City Tribunal dated November of 1967, “It is already too late for the world to avoid a long period of famine.” This warning came from a liar called Paul Ralph Ehrlich, an American biologist best known for his pessimistic and inaccurate predictions and warnings about the consequences of population growth and limited resources.

According to the report Ehrlich went as far as encouraging the mixing of the food and water supply in America with sterilization chemicals to cut the growing population. Doesn’t something sound familiar here, people?

Things just keep getting better. In April of 1970, this is what The Boston Globe reported, “Scientists predict a new ice age by the 21st century.”

“Air pollution may obliterate the sun and cause a new ice age in the first third of the new century.” Again, another bag of lies parroted by a so-called pollution expert named James Lodge.

Are you tired yet? Here is more.

In July of 1971, the Washington Post cited NASA scientists as saying, “The world could be as little as 50 or 60 years away from a di-

sastrous new ice age.” By the way, 50 years from 1971 is now. What has happened?

In January of 2006 the Associated Press parroted Al Gore saying, “Unless drastic measures to reduce greenhouse gasses are taken within the next ten years, the world will reach a point of no return.”

These are the lying jokes that we as a community and the world at large must not be taken in by, now let’s get serious. How many of these predictions have come true? We already know the answer, after all, we are still here.

What do Greta Thunberg, Al Gore, Tony Blair, and all the rest of these climate change predictors have in common? A history of lies, acting, and thinking that the rest of the world are fools. They could not scare us into submission with the COVID hoax and now the next big one is “climate change.” Even though they are telling us to drive less, eat less meat, and conserve more energy, these liars do the exact opposite right in front of our faces. Globe-hopping with private jets 24/7 and living their best lives, but there is a saying that “Real eyes recognize real lies.”

If the problem is us humans as they would like to have us believe, the earth needs less of us. In that case, those preaching the sermon need to lead by example and delete themselves. The rest of humanity certainly will be happier without them.

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NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Otherwise intelligent people do too many stupid things W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES TC HEALTH REPORTER

At a breakneck pace, today’s world threatens to leave us gasping for breath. You name it – climate change and pollution, the global demographic explosion, autocratic rulers trampling civil society, or the threat of AI’s unintended consequences.

For all the things where meaningful influence is out of the hands of most of us, why are there still so many things well within our control that we do so little to change?

Consumers have a lot of power, for example, but too infrequently use it.

If you don’t like the microplastics in the ocean, stop buying food sold in excessive packaging. When affordable public

transportation is available, we spend far more to drive our own vehicles. We buy enough clothing to stuff our closets, and then some.

Otherwise, intelligent people do too many stupid things. They don’t give it a moment’s thought.

Just this week, we were dismayed to learn about a high school that hosted a gelato eating contest involving the students. Four “winners” tied for consuming a whopping 25 scoops each. The average scoop of gelato has about 17 grams of sugar and 160 calories. At least, one might argue, it wasn’t ice cream. A half cup serving of ice cream has 25 grams of sugar, roughly half the amount of sugar a person should normally eat in a day.

What do we make of a school sanctioning the consumption of 425 grams of sugar in one sitting? Alarm bells should be ringing! That’s enough sugar to cause severe and immediate effects on the body. The rapid spike in blood sugar will have the pancreas struggling to produce enough insulin. Like night follows

day, excessive sugar consumption will lead to obesity, diabetes, tooth decay, gastrointestinal problems, fatty liver, and heart disease.

Why did no teacher object? Why did no student object? Why were parents not informed until after the damage was done? The only answer is that people still haven’t learned the basic lesson. Even when we know better, even when we’ve been told a thousand times, we still don’t make the small changes in our lives that will give us better health outcomes.

Halloween is approaching. How many readers will stock up on sugar-filled, tooth-rotting, mindless candy giveaways to the young children knocking on their doors? The kids may not like the message, but someone needs to tell them that the candy they collect should be consumed in moderation. Halloween would better be a history lesson and a neighbourhood meet-and-greet than what it has become, unfortunately.

Scott Adams, the brilliant satirist of workplace culture, offered this warn-

ing, “Never underestimate the power of human stupidity, especially when it’s willful.”

We humans need to smarten up and be willful in making change to the things we know are clearly bad. It should not be allowed to serve 25 servings of gelato to a child in one’s care.

Let’s take up the big opportunities. Tobacco should be outlawed. If that can’t be done, then increase the taxes higher still. Companies that produce junk food should be charged in the court of law with knowingly causing illness, and they should have to pay for the costs.

We wonder if there is any hope for young people to make necessary changes. Are the kids these days, with all their access to information, smart enough? If youth obesity and diabetes rates are any indicator, they are not.

One thing is for sure. If we were running a school, we would not sanction gelato-eating contests. And we would give a failing grade to anyone who did.

Protest held to counter what they perceive as the spread of gender ideology PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

There has been mainstream media attention directed on the “One Million March 4 Children,” which was held on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023, across Canada.

There were major protests held in: Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver, and Mississauga. These protests were organized by different: religious, community, and ethnic-specific groups to counter what they perceive as the spread of: gender ideology, 2SLGBTQ1A+ affirmative rights, and rise of non-traditional values and ideas in the public education systems. Many individuals believe that school boards have taken it upon themselves to promote gender ideological theories to young minds who are still vulnerable and weak.

The major issue that has parents up in arms is the changes proposed by certain leaders in some Canadian provinces to school board policies that would have negatively impacted queer students, especially transgender or nonbinary.

Blaine Higgs, premier of New Brunswick stated in June that “Teachers in the province will not be required to use the preferred names or nouns of transgender, or non-binary students under the age of 16 without parental consent.” Also, Dustin Duncan, Minister of Education for Saskatchewan announced in August that “Teachers must seek parental approval before a student under the age of 16 can change their names or pronouns.”

The Ontario Federation of Labour issued a press release to denounce what it believes is a right-wing attack on progressive policies that are meant to make school places of safety for students who identify as non-binary and are gender diverse. The press release states, “The ultra-conservative right has organized nationwide events under the pretext of protecting children, while their true aim is to protest the teaching of 2SLGBTQ1+

content in schools.”

The press release spells out the troubling aspects of the misguided messages that those who planned the demonstrations are presenting. It notes, “We are all acutely aware of the danger posed by these messages of hate, and it is our collective responsibility to respond with unwavering unity. Our union is clear: to counter these protests and demonstrate unequivocally that there is no place for hate within our society. We will stand together, resolute in our commitment to combat lies and misinformation while championing love, care and respect.”

Another union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada also released a press release on Wednesday September 20th, 2023, to its members as a call to action.

The press release states, “This Wednesday, September 20th, 2023, the far-right conservative and anti-trans groups are organizing protests against teaching 2 LGBTQ1A + content in schools. These protests are being organized under the hashtag #1 Million March 4 Children.

The protests also support recent legislation passed by the Saskatchewan New Brunswick which demands that

feathers advice parents of their children’s request to be called by a different name or pronoun. While these groups claim to be in support of “parental” rights,” The protests are actually anti-2SLGBTQ1A and hate rallies which aim to eliminate Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOHI) curriculum and policies from Canadian schools.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre’s accusations against him in a tweet. Pierre Poilievre initially stated that the Prime Minister was “Demoralizing” parents after these demonstrations.

Justin responded in a tweet on Wednesday, “We strongly condemn this hate and its manifestations, and we stand united in support of 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians across the country-you are valid, and you are valued.”

Pierre Poilievre tweeted a response, “Justin Trudeau always divides to distract from all he has broken. This time, he is demonizing parents. Parents should be the final authority on the values and lessons that are taught to children.

Trudeau should butt out and let parents raise their kids.”

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

NEWS

PAGE 15

The Kuttage: Local Trinidad artisans making global waves BRIDGETT LESLIE bridgett@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

In a world where globalization is the norm, it’s easy to overlook local talent and craftsmanship. The Kuttage, a group of local artisans based in Port of Spain, Trinidad, is changing that narrative.

Their philosophy is simple, yet powerful: world-class products can be created using mainly indigenous materials, and they want to compete on a global stage.

Artisans in Trinidad are an essential part of the island’s cultural tapestry.

These skilled craftsmen and women work with their hands to create stunning, oneof-a-kind pieces that reflect the island’s unique culture and history. From basket weaving to pottery to woodcarving and

metalwork, these artisans are masters of their craft. Generational artisans have learned their skills through an apprenticeship model, working alongside family members or other experienced artisans to learn the ins and outs of the trade.

Many of Trinidad’s artisans learn traditional craft creation methods, passed down through generations.

One unique aspect of Trinidad’s artisanal work is its diverse range of influences. The island has a rich history of colonialism, and its crafts reflect it. West African, Spanish, French, British, and native Caribbean influences all play a part in Trinidad’s craft traditions. This diversity is evident in the Trinidadian culture: architecture, artwork, food, and music. Their well-crafted and aesthetically pleasing products make them stand out in a crowded market.

One such artisan, Debra Mitchell-Charles, owner of Bags and Things, found support through this community. “It was an opportunity for me to meet people and to find a home to put our crafts.” Under the tutelage of Simp-

son, who taught lessons on bag making, Mitchell-Charles showed extraordinary capability, leading her to open up a business with the support of the community.

The Kuttage began as an answer to the perennial question, “Where can we find you?” Patrons who attended pop-up stores that artisans put together were eager to have authentic local craft in one place year-round. With that vision in mind, Erica Simpson (leader of the movement) and others started looking for “ideal spaces,” leading to their storefront home at the prestigious Radisson Hotel in Port of Spain.

Since 2019, these artists come together to create a “total-local, handcrafted store” that sells a wide range of products made from: clay, leather, wood, copper, fabric, and even paper. Their work is nothing short of impressive, and the quality of their products speaks for itself. Simpson, a former schoolteacher who is passionate about the arts and promoting sustainable living, says, “We can grow and strive as a community of artisans as opposed to just surviving as a

solo craftsperson.”

By using local materials, they support the economy and showcase the beauty of the island’s natural resources. Each product artisans create tells a unique story, and their use of local materials adds an authentic touch that sets them apart from mass-produced goods.

The Kuttage is not just another store selling handmade goods. They symbolize the power of local talent, ingenuity, and heritage. Their work not only celebrates the beauty of indigenous materials but also leaves a lasting impact on the global marketplace.

These days, consumers make conscientious decisions on where to invest their money. One of those decisions is buying locally made goods and supporting local artisans. By doing so, we not only get to enjoy beautiful products but also support local economies and keep traditions alive. The Kuttage proves that making a name on the world stage is possible while staying true to your roots.

Christian Labour Association of Canada fights for retirement group home workers PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The Christian Labour Association Organization (CLAC) is a national union that represents the interests of more than 60,000 members. Since it started in 1952 it has been fighting for the rights of workers in retirement and community living homes.

As an affiliated member of the World Organization of Workers their work is based on values of respect, dignity and fairness, and they are committed to building better workplaces, better communities, and better lives. They are founded on the belief that: people, businesses, and work communities flourish even workplaces are based on cooperation and mutual respect when we work with each other, not against each other.

CLAC distinguishes itself from

other unions. It believes that most unions are characterized by competitiveness and excessive rivalries and thus seek to create an environment and atmosphere that fosters mutual cooperation, interdependence, trust, openness and respect.

CLAC is committed to its vision and mission as it works to make your workplace a better place so that you and your coworkers can grow. This is achieved in three ways: Positive work life They are a modern union, committed to bringing you the best possible workplaces.

Champions of you Count on them to be on your side.

Everyday greatness Better relationships at work, create greater work participation.

CLAC is particularly concerned because personal support workers and other healthcare workers do not have access to important protection of the Workplace

Safety Insurance Board (WSIB). They want to ensure that workers can access full WSIB benefits, and an increase in the amount of money paid to workers who are injured or hurt on the job.

In a press release issued on Monday, September 25th, 2023, CLQC expressed its support for Bill 54 which was debated in the Ontario Legislature on Tuesday, September 26th, 2023. The bill titled, “WSIB Coverage for Workers in Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes Act, 2022,” was introduced by John Fraser, MPP of Ottawa South. He believes that workers in these facilities need the additional protection of WISB that is offered to other healthcare workers. He states, “It is only fair that workers doing the same work should have the same kind of protection. To be excluded based on who your employer is, is wrong.”

The press release provides details about the objectives of Bill 54. It proposes to expand the public workers’ compensation insurance to workers in: retirement homes and residential care facilities giving these employees the protection they need in their essential roles.

CLAC is determined to ensure that these workers have access to full coverage that all other healthcare workers are entitled to. It notes that retirement homes, group homes, and homecare facilities are not included in the list of workplaces for which WSIB coverage is mandatory, because of how the initial legislation was structured. As a result, workers in these important sectors are not covered by the no-fault system if they suffer an injury while at work.

Ian DeWaard, Director of CLAC Ontario states, “Workers and their families in this sector deserve to have the security that if they are hurt, or injured on the job they will be supported. They are front-line healthcare workers who face numerous health and safety risks in the workplace, including those connected to patient rights and transfers, as well as violence and physical assault. Bringing them into the public system is long overdue and is needed to support our healthcare heroes.”

For more information about CLAC check: Website: www.clac.ca

PAGE 16

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

2024 Student Entrepreneur National Competition; Making way for entrepreneurial growth SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Entrepreneurship has indeed become a significant driving force in the modern global economy and is often touted as a pathway to innovation, economic growth, and job creation. Entrepreneurs are often at the forefront of innovation, developing new technologies, products, and services that address evolving market demands. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often founded by entrepreneurs, are significant sources of employment in many economies.

By starting new businesses, entrepreneurs contribute to job creation and reduce unemployment rates.

Entrepreneurs often identify pressing societal issues and develop innovative solutions to address them. Social entrepreneurship, in particular, focuses on creating ventures that have a positive impact on society. It empowers individuals to take control of their destinies, and it provides an avenue

for people, especially in developing countries, to create economic opportunities for themselves and their communities.

Now, anyone who is currently an entrepreneur knows that being one comes with challenges such as: high failure rates, financial risks, and the need for a supportive business environment. Thankfully, there are organizations that are providing resources for entrepreneurs, more specifically our younger entrepreneurs. Last week, Enactus Canada, was proud to announce that nominations were now open for the 2024 Student Entrepreneur National Competition.

Enactus Canada, the country’s largest post-secondary experiential learning platform, is shaping entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social, and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 1,600 entrepreneurial post-secondary students led 166 community outreach projects and business ventures last year in communities coast to coast, directly impacting over 42,000 lives. As a global network of 33 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.

Three finalists will pitch their businesses to a panel of business executives and compete for a grand prize of $10,000. The Student Entrepreneur National runner-up

will receive $4,000, and the second runnerup will receive $2,000.

“We’re proud to host the Student Entrepreneur National Competition for the 27th year” says Allyson Hewitt, president of Enactus Canada. “Student entrepreneurs are the future of this country’s economy, and we are proud to support those young, hardworking students who are creating new jobs and working together to advance the Canadian ecosystem.”

The Student Entrepreneur National Competition aims to help young business leaders network with like-minded students, showcase their ventures to top executives and entrepreneurs, and accelerate the growth of their businesses.

Past competition winners include: Arielle Lok, of Peko Produce, Western Canada’s #1 online grocery marketplace that delivers “peculiar” or surplus groceries at up to 40% off retail prices, Amr Abdelgawad, COO of NERv Technology, a health-tech startup, and Alex MacLean, founder of EastCoast Lifestyle, a notorious clothing and lifestyle brand worn by celebrities such as Sidney Crosby and Ed Sheeran.

To be eligible for the competition, students and their businesses must meet the following criteria: • Be a full-time student at a Canadian university or college for the current aca-

•

•

demic year.

Be a founder and have at least 25% ownership of the company with no other individual or group with greater ownership and be the individual primarily responsible for the business’ operations.

Have not been a previous National Champion of this competition or competed in the final round of the Student Entrepreneur National Competition last year.

African Caribbeans are much less likely to be entrepreneurs than their White counterparts. Part of the explanation is that for centuries, they were prevented from becoming business owners through violence as well as racist regulations and unofficial rules. I introduce this opportunity to our African Caribbean youth to ensure that they have access to the tools they need to build successful careers, including skills development and professional mentorship.

The rise of African Caribbean businesses is accompanied by a grander hope for the future. Mentorship, investment, and a change in perspective can radically shift the landscape of industries — making way for entrepreneurial growth.

Share this far and wide; nominations, including self-nominations are due

by December 5th, 2023 at enactus.ca/nominate-a-student-entrepreneur.

School bus transport sector: A safety failure STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

There is a petition started by a former bus driver named Gary demanding that the Education and Transportation Ministry take the safety of school children and those on our roads seriously.

The US and Canada have taken steps to make the safety of students a pivotal policy within their ministries, but so far it seems to all be illusion and talking points.

We all know how slowly the government works, particularly if they have realized their past errors and may have to fall upon their swords in any future blame game. What should the Ministers do?

•

•

• • •

Retrofit all preexisting school buses with safety tools especially seat belts.

All new buses should be legislated to have seat belt attachments.

Bus seats need to be securely attached to the base of buses, so in case a collision happens the seat will not detach and become flying projectiles.

Allot contracts only to private firms that fulfill all the ministries requirements.

Fully insure the occupants of these buses for possible injury, psychological distress, and trauma.

All liability for possible mishaps, collisions, accidents must fall upon drivers

•

and their employers whom all should be bonded and fully insured.

A full three-point seat belt application for each passenger is needed.

Ever see a bus that has been in a collision?

A school bus is built to transport people. It is made of light sheet metal, no roll bars, not significantly superior bumpers. A vehicle made to use as little gas as possible.

The firms that provide most of the school boards bus needs are in business to make a profit. Simple. This profiteering and the effects of unforeseen circumstances like the pandemic, professional staffing of these firms is impossible, and these firms hire their employee’s part time, at low wages with no benefits. Would you wish to drive such a vehicle with the added responsibility of managing a bunch of students in all sorts of weather? The challenge has always been to

find responsible drivers to do the job. Most bus drivers do so part time, and many are senior citizens too. The stress of carrying out this job is often unbearable, and so finding drivers becomes more and more difficult.

The expenditures the public will have to endure to make these buses safer, more sturdily built fall way out of the budgets given by elected officials. Putting seat belts into pre-existing vehicles would cost $7,000 - $10,000 per vehicle. The only way this can be done is if legislation is drawn up to demand it be done. Firms that wish to bid on school bus transport contracts will have to put their costs into their bid, and the public will have to swallow that cost. Building school buses that are superiorly safe will cost a pretty penny too.

What are you willing to pay to keep your school children safe? What costs can you justify denying?

Diana Winters named the Grand Prize Winner of the 2023 Edith Baxter Memorial Award PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The second annual Edith Baxter Memorial Award luncheon on Friday, September 22nd, 2023, was truly an inspiring and empowering event. In the presence of 120 invited: community leaders, civic officials, members of the Jamaican Diaspora community, and others, the five finalists were feted with: music, culture, and food.

The event was hosted by the Jamaican Tourist Board (JTB) and held at the Toronto Board of Trade. There was much publicity for the award gala and biennial competition in the local media and online. The award recognizes individuals who have made a substantial contribution towards the positive

advancement of Jamaica’s tourism industry.

It was conceptualized in 2021 by the JTB and the Baxter family as a tribute and memorial to Edith Baxter. As the former founder and editor-in-chief of Baxter Publishing, she did much to publicize Jamaica as one of her favorite tourist destinations.

Diana Winters was selected as the grand prize winner and received a five-night all-inclusive vacation in Jamaica courtesy of prize sponsors Sandal Resorts and Air Canada Vacations. She was selected from a panel of four judges including: Lincoln G. Downer (former Consul General of Jamaican in Toronto), Angella Bennett (Regional Director, Jamaica Tourist Board Canada), Wendy McClung (Executive Vice President, Baxter Media), and Kelly Schmidt (President and Co-Founder, Spoiled Agent). The five finalists: Ron Fanfair, Dave McLaughlin, Simone Jennifer-Smith, Sandra Whiting, and Diana Winters received trophies recognized during the prestigious Award ceremony.

Diana was named the grand prize winner. She has been the Director of Sales and Development in Eastern Canada at Exoticca since May 2023. Prior to that, she worked for thirteen years as Senior Business Develop-

ment Manager for Palace Resorts & Le Blanc.

She has more than 28 years of experience in the travel industry and is known for her outstanding philanthropic work.

Upon receiving the news of her nomination, she wrote on LinkedIn, “My heart is full. I am blessed to have been given the privilege and ability to grow so many people work obligations in expectation to see them thrive and survive. Helping to build communities and enrich the lives of so many people with only the motivation of love has been an incredible pleasure for me and I have no plans to stop.”

The event was hosted by a wellknown Jamaican-born writer, speaker and podcaster, Arlene Amitirigala. There is an inspiring and uplifting performance by Jully Black, a highly recognized singer and songwriter. Ms. Black’s musical rendition was highly interactive and engaging as she connected on a personal level with the guests.

The guest speaker for the event was the Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism. Minister Bartlett introduced himself as the Minister of Happiness.

He spoke about the importance of tourism as a sector in the economy that creates positive

memories.

Minister Bartlett states, “The Edith Baxter Memorial Award rewards outstanding community leaders who use their influence to elevate Jamaica’s tourism offerings and our unique cultural identity in Canada. Our grand prize winner and all of the award finalists honoured here today represent a range of different professional sectors, but each of these unique individuals are bound together by their passion for Jamaica.”

Minister Bartlett spoke about the role of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), which he founded and is based in Jamaica. It is a transformative centre that seeks to safeguard and improve the tourism product in Jamaica and around the world, while also ensuring the sustainability of tourism globally. It has satellite locations around the world, including George Brown College in Toronto. Along with President Dr. Gervais Pearson, and Minister Bartlett, they handed out five GTRCMC Tourism Resilience Awards to; Dr. Pamela Appelt, Dr. Mary Ann Chambers, Howard Shearer, Mary Bishop, Adaoma Patterson, Air Canada Vacations and Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation.

From Grit to Glory.

Engage in free October events to mark and celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of Mary Ann Shadd Cary—Canada’s first female publisher and the first Black woman in North America to publish and edit a newspaper, The Provincial Freeman.

Learn more at toronto.ca/MaryAnnShaddCary

PAGE 18 Photo Credit: Jeff Lockhart

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

JOSEPH FRIDAY

Photo Credit: Jeff Lockhart

Build his brand, building his company, building the community When he woke up in the ICU, he was not sure what had happened, but as he turned and saw his friend Ziggy, it all came back to him…

This story is a unique one, and the twists and turns of it is what makes our Classic Man one of intrigue and interest. You wouldn’t think it because his career choice seems like it would be uneventful, but as you know, life can have other plans for us.

I met Chef Joe Friday, at his newest passion project, the Friday Burger Company Toronto’s newest gourmet comfort food restaurant that serves up fresh, handcrafted: Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches, Fried Pickles, Friday Fries, Chili Cheese Fries, Poutine, Salads, hand spun milkshakes and more!

The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited to the official Media/VIP event that was held on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, at the Friday Burger Company Danforth located at 2162 Danforth Avenue.

All I can say is woohee! I had one of the best burgers that I have had in a long time. To be quite honest, it was a culinary masterpiece, one that tantalized my taste buds and satisfied my senses. It all started with the foundation: a perfectly grilled or charred-to-perfection patty. The patty was juicy and flavorful, seasoned expertly with a blend of spices that enhanced the natural taste of the meat. It was ideal, because it struck a balance between being well-cooked and slightly pink in the center.

Nestled within a fresh, soft, and slightly toasted bun, the burger experience began with the texture. The bun was sturdy enough to hold the ingredients together, but soft enough to yield easily to each one of my bites. There was a generous layer of creamy and tangy condiments, which added depth to the burger. The condiments not only enhanced the overall taste, but also served as a binding agent, keeping the ingredients in harmony.

Like any good burger, it was served with a side of crispy, golden French fries completing the quintessential burger experience. It was not just a meal; it was a celebration of flavors and textures, a harmonious blend of meat, cheese, vegetables, and condiments, all encased in a bun.

Every bite was a delight. After enjoying this culinary experience, I was excited to get to know the man behind the burger.

Chef Joe Friday is a professional: chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur with 20 years of experience working with top restaurants across: Canada, the US, Norway, Italy, and Japan. Throughout his life, even while working in various Michelin-starred restaurants, his favourite meal always remained the burger. Over the past decade he’s tasted more than 700 burgers from around the world and has been sharing his expert burger reviews on TikTok @fridayburgerreview.

Born in North Carolina, raised in Japan, and trained in French Cuisine, Joe graduated top of the class from The Culinary Institute of America in New York. He started his culinary career as one of 10 individuals invited to train at Walt Disney World’s culinary program. He then worked across Europe, Asia, and the U.S., including staging with Thomas Keller at French Laundry, working as a Saucier Nobu in Honolulu, and as the Executive Sous Chef at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

In 2011, Friday moved to Canada to be part of the opening team for Luma at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto. He then joined the team that opened Bar Mozza and became part owner and Executive Chef of ViaVai. In 2013, Friday founded The Chef Collective, a chef driven organization committed to supporting local and worldwide chefs by providing them with a platform to showcase their talents through live culinary battles.

In 2016, Friday brought his love for Hawaiian cuisine to Toronto, and opened, as part owner and chef, the popular quick service poké restaurant Calii Love. And In 2019, as co-owner and chef, he opened Friday Roots, a soul food restaurant in Toronto, which marked a return to his North Carolina roots with a menu featuring treasured family recipes.

Now Friday has opened his first solo venture Friday Burger Company, a gourmet comfort food restaurant dedicated to serving up handmade, fresh burgers and chicken sandwiches, with two locations - in CIBC SQUARE’s TABLE Fare + Social on Bay Street in Toronto and at 2162 Danforth Ave. Thanks to his amazing PR team, I was able to set up an interview with Joe, and he shared parts of his story that he has not shared with anyone.

“I always wanted to cook,” Joe began. “My grandfather was a chef in the South. It was during a time when things were not great for Blacks in the United States of America. He was lighter skinned, so things were a little different for him.

His name was George Booker (North Carolina), and I heard a lot of stories about him. He laid the foundation for my family, and I want to say that because of him my whole family, we cook. We all have a specialty in the kitchen.

I decided that I would take my cooking more seriously when I was in high school; it was actually during home economics class. My first paid position was at Disney World, and I was only 19 years old. It was an internship because I was in the top 100 culinary chefs in America. I was a Sous Chef at only 20 years old.”

Although he held such a strong title at such a young age, something didn’t feel right to him. “I felt like my position was just a title. I was speaking to chefs who worked underneath me, and they knew more than me. I decided to step down and take the time to travel, learn a lot more about the art of cooking.

I was 24 years old when I moved to Norway, and my life changed. I was there for a year, and then I went to Italy, France, and ended up in Hawaii.” Chef Joe chuckled. “I was working at a restaurant, I wanted to go on vacation, and ended up in Hawaii. It was amazing, I stayed there for three years. It is like a mythical island. It was a cool experience, and I worked there for a while. I also went to Japan, but the best thing about it is that I was cooking again.”

While Joe was in Hawaii, he went through an experience that changed his entire life. While there, he was part of an altercation that almost ended his life.

“I got put into the ICU for 35 days. I was defending a young woman who was getting beat up. I remember that her boyfriend was actually beating her up in the middle of the street. Being the man that I am, I could not just sit there and watch it happen. I felt like it was my duty to defend her honour. There were six of them and one of me, but I knew martial arts, so I thought that I would have been okay. I was for the first part of the fight, but then I got hit in the face with a brick. I had a bad concussion. It was my buddy Ziggy who grabbed me and dragged me into the middle of the highway. He knew that they wouldn’t come get me in the street. He saved my life. If he hadn’t done this, they would have finished off the job.”

“My roommate stayed with me every day. He quit his job to be with me.” At this part of the interview, Joe had to stop. He was overcome with emotions and for good reason. “The owner of the restaurant paid for the hospital bills, he let me stay in his house to recuperate. He did the same thing for my friend Ziggy who had to take care of me. It took me two months to recover. I had to learn to do everything again. I will never forget them for what they did for me.

I was 31 when I came to Canada; it was around October, and I lived in Hamilton. I worked at Luma at King and John. I was there for a year, but the entrepreneurial spirit took me. I have had to go through some tough financial moments, trust me. There was a 10-day period when I was actually homeless. I had to find a job to get me on my feet. I was not going to give up on myself. I continued to push.

My parents have been so supportive. They may not have always agreed with my choices, but they did support me. My parents came to the restaurant that I was working at Alemeto. Someone told me that there was some hot woman asking for me. It turned out to be my parents, and they told me that they are proud of me. I remember that feeling like it was yesterday; to have your parents acknowledge your work and tell you that they are proud of you. For me, it was all worth it.

I am a private chef now. I cooked for Vin Diesel and his family and cooked for Pasquel. I did a pop up with Amber Rose and my small company Calii Love. She came to the restaurant and boosted me on Instagram. I had 2,000 followers and the next morning I had 8,000 followers.

I give back by doing work with Habitat Humanity; being homeless put me in a position that helped me realize that I can help others.

Friday Burger Company: this is my future. I want to build this brand, build the company, build the community.

For us, our employees are the most important thing. It is my P Photography dream. I wanted to do Photo this myCredit: whole Sanj life, and now I am doing it.”

Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News

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Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

Fall flavours galore Are you planning a fall-themed meal?

Stock up on ingredients to evoke the essence of the season. Here are a handful of must-haves.

• Pumpkins. These delicately flavoured gourds can be prepared in a myriad of ways. Make a creamy soup, a comforting stew, healthy muffins or a decadent cake starring this all-purpose vegetable — let your mood be your guide!

• Apples. Buy juicy, ripe apples from your local orchard or market and cook them however you like. Apples roasted with vegetables, for example, make a great accompaniment to pork chops. As for des-

serts, you’re spoiled for choice. From pies to crisps to donuts, the list of yummy possibilities is endless.

• Oysters. Fall is oyster season. Enjoy them raw with a squeeze of lemon juice, add them to a fresh pasta dish or use them as a lavish garnish. Oyster recipes abound, so you’re sure to find one to make your guests’ mouths water.

• Spices. Spices that say autumn — think pumpkin spice — make excellent enhancements to stews, meats, pies and lattes.

Classic fall seasonings include cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and cloves. These flavours will warm your tastebuds and your heart.

•

Game. Meat harvested during hunting season makes a pleasing alternative to those you routinely enjoy. Broaden your culinary horizons by cooking meats like venison, moose or goose. Don’t be afraid to try something new!

Bon appetit!

HEALTH

PAGE 25

Autumn: the perfect season to get moving Do you want to stay in shape this fall? This list of activities is sure to inspire you to get moving, no matter your interests.

rounding trees. Kayaking is an excellent way to strengthen your arms and shoulders while engaging with your natural surroundings.

Hiking Lace up your hiking boots and explore the trails in your area. Whether you take to the hills or meander through the forest, you’re sure to find your fill of magnificently coloured landscapes. Your energized, oxygenated body will thank you!

Running The sweltering heat and humidity of summer make running difficult and potentially harmful. In the fall, running workouts are more enjoyable, enabling you to extend your distance.

Biking Whether you prefer a classic cruiser or an e-bike, the possibilities for scenic rides are endless. Set yourself a calorie or mileage goal, pack a snack with some water and off you go!

Kayaking Explore a tranquil lake or river near you and observe the colourful reflections of the sur-

Horseback riding Trot across fields, on a beach or through an idyllic country path. Savour the rustle of falling leaves crunching underfoot. Even though you’re in a saddle, you get an excellent full-body workout.

Visit your local sporting goods store to find everything you need to get moving this fall.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

HEALTH

PAGE 27

Investing more in PSWs would be a smart move W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES COMMON SENSE HEALTH

The British author and playwright, B.G. Stern, wrote, “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.” It’s apropos to home healthcare workers, who have been acknowledged as essential, but that’s where the appreciation seems to stop. Personal support workers (PSWs) as they are called in Canada, Home Health Aides (HHAs), or other titles in the U.S., don’t get the spotlight as do: doctors, nurses, and other specialists. They certainly don’t get the pay.

Yet, in the vast realm of healthcare, there exists this group of workers who quietly care for the most vulnerable: the elderly, disabled, sufferers of chronic disease,

and people with health issues who can live at home, or in long-term care but only with assistance. The profile of these workers can vary from well-trained and experienced caregivers to family members, including aging seniors and young children.

A typical PSW might be a retired woman, working in the industry out of the goodness of her heart and a need for the income. She is fatigued but stoic. Another common profile is the Filipina overseas healthcare worker who has left her country and her family to earn more abroad than she can do at home. She is professional and in demand. Some PSWs are part-time workers, hired by healthcare staffing agencies that offer flexible employment. They are the luck of the draw.

Trends show people need more and more care. As the baby boomers age, you can bet your heartbeat there will be a further surge. Some of the trouble could have been avoided. Over the past half-century, North Americans should have heeded warnings about: smoking, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and other lifestyle-related factors that cause: obesity, diabetes, heart

disease, stroke, and cancer. Prevention has not been a priority; now there are not enough trained home care providers to manage the need.

Wages of home healthcare workers are low despite the demanding nature of the job. This leads to: high turnover, demotivation, and a necessity to work multiple jobs, or long hours. Some may lack access to comprehensive benefits, such as extended healthcare coverage or retirement plans.

Challenges in their workplaces are legendary. PSWs may work in long-term care facilities where staffing shortages are frequently acute. In private homes, PSWs need to navigate the rules set by employers for safe and suitable conditions while confronting the reality of whatever they encounter. In these precarious settings, they provide intimate and often emotionally taxing care, assisting with tasks like: bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility.

They witness the suffering of patients and their families dealing with end-of-life situations. No wonder the job leads to compassion fatigue, burnout, and mental health

issues.

All these problems amount to another sad reality in the industry. When high numbers of home healthcare workers are absent, or unable to perform their work, the quality of care plummets for individuals in assisted care facilities and homecare settings alike. Stand-in caregivers from employment agencies may be technically competent, but the disruption in work and the lack of familiarity with patients compromises health outcomes.

Given that so many people are destined to need personal healthcare support at some point, it’s surprising that more is not done to shift from silent gratitude to more proactive measures. Investing more in PSWs would be a smart move, as they help prevent: falls, infections, and other serious and costly crises.

As it stands, when the time comes, a life-ending heart attack, or stroke might be the best of luck. For the rest, it’s time to start thinking about what kind of care you want for a longer, slower decline.

These items never go in recycling

Ceramic dishes

Masks & gloves

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Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

HEALTH

PAGE 29

Have you ever seen a 20-year-old Black boy cry? to go on.

TRISHA SMITH

trishas@carib101.com

SAKRED SYNERGI

I was up early one morning cleaning the bathroom. I thought I’d get ahead on the day’s chores as I had a laundry list of errands this past Saturday morning. I closed the bathroom door, hummed some tunes over the faucet as I scrubbed away. All of a sudden, I hear “F*** No!!!, what the F***, this is not happening!!” and then a loud thud as if something got knocked over. I got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, like the feeling you feel when coming down from the highest point on a roller coaster you didn’t agree

I flew out of the bathroom and ran down the stairs into the basement where my son’s room was. He was crying. Have you ever seen a 20-year-old black boy cry? With all this pressure from friends and the environment for our young Black sons to be hard and strong, I was relieved to see him expressing his emotions, even if it was just for a minute.

I wrapped my arms around him as I tried to figure out what happened. Another one of his friends had died from gun violence yet again. My heart was torn between the sadness of parents losing their child and the anger of our children killing each other over the most frivolous things. I didn’t know what to say other than to be a listening ear and source of support for him, for the third time.

We all know that gun violence is a huge problem in our community, but do we ever stop to think about how continuously burying their school age friends affects

5 tips to combat seasonal depression Do the long winter months drain your morale and negatively impact your sense of well-being? Here are some tips to help you counter the symptoms of seasonal depression.

ter.

1. Make the most of the sun. Whenever possible, dress warmly and head outdoors to top up on vitamin D. When you’re inside on sunny days, open the curtains and sit near the windows.

5. Relax. Engage in activities that you find soothing, such as knitting or listening to music. Meditation can help lower stress and reduce symptoms of depression, as well as also boost your energy levels. Reading at bedtime can promote better sleep.

2. Play sports. In addition to keeping you healthy, physical activity triggers endorphins and serotonin. These “happy hormones” help regulate your mood and provide an antidepressant effect.

3. Use light therapy. Expose yourself to a lamp with light that mimics the sun’s rays.

Just 30 minutes a day can help you feel bet-

4. Eat well. Despite your temptation to eat sugary food, make sure you prepare balanced meals rich in essential nutrients.

Have you noticed a significant drop in energy, persistent sadness or drowsiness despite getting a good night’s sleep? If your symptoms prevent you from managing your daily tasks, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional. A doctor, pharmacist or psychologist can recommend solutions according to your needs.

Kiss your chapped lips goodbye!

During the winter, your skin takes more abuse than it deserves from the wind and cold outside to the dry heat inside. Do your lips get chapped as soon as the temperature plummets? These tips may help.

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to prevent your lips from cracking. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty before taking a sip.

• Install a humidifier. One of your lips’ worst enemies is dry air. Run a humidifier in your home to maintain adequate moisture levels.

This is especially helpful in the bedroom.

• Invest in a high-quality lip balm. Choosing the right lip balm is the key to preventing chapped lips. It’s important to read the labels so you know what you’re getting. For maximum effectiveness, choose a lip balm that contains moisturizing ingredients like shea butter or jojoba oil, plus a protective

ingredient like beeswax to seal your lips against the elements.

• Use sun protection. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are just as strong in winter as in summer, especially when reflected by the snow. Always carry a lip balm with SPF protection when you’re outdoors.

• Exfoliate your lips. Once or twice a week, exfoliate your lips to remove dead skin cells.

This will help your moisturizer penetrate more deeply. Avoid scrub products if your lips are already damaged, as the granules can worsen the problem.

One last tip: resist the urge to lick your lips.

Although doing so may provide quick relief from that dry feeling, the enzymes in your saliva will aggravate chapping in the long run.

them? Do we ever stop to think about applying some heavy spiritual protection around our children?

I remember when I was 16 years old, and I got the call that my 18-year-old boyfriend had been stabbed to death in his apartment building. I actually hung up the phone on my boyfriend’s best friend that day, because I thought it was a horrible prank and I just don’t play like that. When he called back the second time, I knew it wasn’t a joke.

That summer of 2000, I lost over 15 lbs, my family was no source of support, I never saw a therapist and was offered no resources to process this grief. I was confused, angry and left to my own chaotic thoughts with no avenue for healing in sight. Now I know they say that women are a bit more emotional than men, but are we really? Could it be that we feel the same amount of emotion but just express it differently? Now imagine what happened to me happening three more times within the next seven months. SMH! I went to one of my son’s friends’ funerals this year. They grew up together and I knew him very well. It was just two weeks prior that he was on FaceTime with my son and my son came and brought the phone to me for him to say hi. He had gotten so big since we had moved away four years prior.

His mature features were coming in and he was growing into a fine young man, my heart was warmed to see his face and hear his polite mannerisms towards me. I had no idea that I would have been bawling uncontrollable tears two weeks later at his funeral. I hadn’t seen so many young Black men in one place before. It was obvious that too many of them were refusing to cry in front of one another. I could see their cry for help as they dapped each other up and tried to talk about

things that wouldn’t arouse any emotion. I was saddened.

Our sons (and daughters) need help. If they had to bury a close friend, as a parent don’t take this lightly. I can see that my son has a lot of unprocessed emotions so I am doing my due diligence to ensure that he has access to resources for support, and you should too.

Reach out to your community and inquire about free services concerning gun violence, set up an appointment for your child to talk with your pastor, spiritual teacher or a life coach. Bring them to get a massage, fascial release, reiki or some acupuncture to help them release the emotional and physical tension that has built up in their bodies.

Begin practicing spiritual protection. Teach them how to seal their auras, invite the ancestral warriors in your lineage to come forward with the energy of protection around your children. Use the elements as our ancestors did to keep evil away from the home and cut crosses. Prepare spiritual cleansing and protection baths for them, pray for them every day and be intentional with your protective methods. Remember what manifests physically must happen in the spiritual realms first so start there!

My prayer is that gun violence comes to a halt in the Black community, but the reality that this will end soon is wishful thinking, so we must command our own angels of protection around our children and ensure they are given the proper resources to process the grief that comes with losing a friend. The gun violence needs to stop, but parents doing their due diligence across the board also needs to start.

PAGE 30

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Their plea is not just for better pay, but for recognition of the value they bring to the table MEGAN ROBERTS megan@carib101.com

DELICIOUS CONVERSATIONS

In the bustling world of culinary arts, the kitchen is a realm of intense heat, sharp objects, and relentless activity.

As a Jamaican Canadian chef with over 16 years of experience in the industry, I’ve navigated these challenges firsthand. The recent demands by Waffle House workers resonate deeply with me, shedding light on issues that have long plagued the hospitality sector.

Chefs and cooks are the unsung heroes behind every delicious meal. Our day begins long before the first customer walks in and extends well beyond the last order. We’re constantly surrounded by extreme heat conditions, handling sharp knives, and are on our feet for hours on end, often without breaks. There’s a perpetual cycle of prepping, cooking, cleaning, and then prepping again. The kitchen never truly rests, and neither do we.

Yet, despite the demanding nature of our work, the compensation often falls short. The Waffle House workers’ demands for respect, safety, and living wages echo the sentiments of countless kitchen staff worldwide.

Their plea is not just for better pay, but for recognition of the value they bring to the table, both literally and figuratively.

When workers are adequately compensated, the ripple effect is palpable. Proper wages don’t just ensure that employees can meet their basic needs; they foster a sense of pride and dedication to one’s craft. When people are paid what they’re worth, they are more motivated to excel. This translates to better-tasting food, smoother service, and a more positive

overall atmosphere. As someone who’s dedicated more than half my life to this profession, I can attest to the transformative power of fair compensation. It’s not merely about money; it’s about respect and acknowledgment.

My journey in the kitchen has been a testament to the relentless nature of this profession. The work doesn’t cease once the lunch or dinner service concludes. There’s always something more to be done, be it prepping for the next day or ensuring the kitchen is spotless. The workload is immense, and it’s high time the pay reflects that. I stand in solidarity with the Waffle House workers, understanding all too well that our collective workload has seldom matched our compensation.

Their demands are not just justified; they’re long overdue.

Looking ahead, my vision for the culinary industry is one of transformation. It’s time we recognize the hospitality sector as an essential service.

The past few years, especially, have highlighted the pivotal role restaurants and eateries play in our lives. They’re not just places to satiate our hunger; they’re spaces of: community, culture, and connection. The individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes deserve more than just a paycheck; they deserve respect.

In the words of the Union of Southern Service Workers, «We’re launching a powerful set of demands on Waffle House to take back what is rightfully ours: A workplace based on respect, dignity, and fair pay for everyone» (Union of Southern Service Workers).

In conclusion, the demands of Waffle House workers are not an isolated cry for justice but a reflection of a broader issue in the hospitality sector.

It’s a call to action for all of us to recognize the value of those who feed us, to ensure they’re compensated fairly, and to treat them with the dignity they rightfully deserve. As a chef, I stand with them, hoping for a brighter, more equitable future for our industry.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

LIFE

PAGE 31

A high sexual body count isn’t anything to brag about SYDNEE WALCOTT sydnee@carib101.com

VARIETY CORNER

With hook-up culture shockingly continuing to become normalized, it seems as if many are using it to their advantage and are sharing details that don’t need to be shared.

Not all influencers are the type who are known for being embroiled in controversy. However, we consistently hear stories about influencers scamming, putting on a front, trapping male celebrities (usually athletes) with babies, or bragging about their sexual encounters.

Brittany Renner is one of those

influencers we’ve heard about in a controversial news story. In 2021, Renner endured accusations made about her of preying on and trapping Charlotte Hornets player PJ Washington. The two met when Washington, who was 18, was a student basketball player at the University of Kentucky, and Renner was 26.

Renner and Washington became a couple in 2020, and ended their relationship the following year, shortly after Renner gave birth to their son. Afterwards, people looked at the situation and accused Renner of targeting young athletes to trap them to ensure she would receive large sums of money in child support.

On a podcast episode of “Off the Record with DJ Akademiks,” Renner denied trapping Washington, stating she was upfront with him about her intentions, claimed Washington wanted to have a child, and revealed she got off birth control after a conversation with Washington. She also went on to talk

about how men need to take responsibility for their role in sexual encounters with women.

Renner was recently in the headlines again, with her sex life being a topic of discussion. While guest-starring on an episode of Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast, Renner revealed she slept with 35 men and caught a yeast infection after partaking in sexual activity with three men within 24 hours. Sharpe was in utter shock, nearly spit out his water and reacted by taking a shot of alcohol upon Renner revealing this information.

Many did not hesitate to make jokes about her body count, with many jokingly claiming that she slept with double the amount, or even higher than double. Upon hearing this, I thought that this is not something one should brag about.

Sex is not a game. Many people had to learn that the hard way. Engaging in sexual activities with multiple partners

has risks, as we never know if a person has an STD. While an STD like chlamydia is curable, HIV/AIDS - both proven to be deadly - can only be treated.

There’s also the risk of being subjected to an unplanned pregnancy. Anyone can have a child with someone they don’t want to have any ties with. We’ve seen this situation play out many times, with baby mamas and daddies getting into ugly disputes with each other on “The Maury Povich Show” in the past and on social media. The innocent children who did not ask to be here suffer the most from this consequence.

Engaging in risky behaviour isn’t anything to brag about. If you think it’s okay to brag about sleeping around, remember that it might be all fun and games right now, but it won’t be when it catches up to you - and you’re left to deal with the consequences.

The Legacy Awards; an event that can become a staple in Canadian television

BY ADRIAN REECE The Legacy Awards’ second annual event took place this September. There is a three-year deal with CBC to have the show once annually. It reintroduced Canada to the country’s past, present, and future talent but, more specifically, the city.

Within the legacy awards, some prominent Canadian names were honoured while briefly describing their contributions to media and culture within and beyond the borders of Canada. It is held at History, a relatively small venue at Eastern Avenue and Queen in Toronto. The location isn’t the most accessible, but it is a steppingstone for what can expand into something much more significant.

History has a capacity of 2,500, but during the legacy awards, it gets to a place of standing room only, and this speaks volumes to the expansion of the event from year one to year two.

As it progresses, the creators will have to think of another place to host all the talent that appears. The duration is relatively short, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There isn’t enough time to get through speeches and performances and acknowledge everyone and everything that needs to be spoken of. However, this is simply the beginning of the show’s hopefully long History in Canada, and we may see the time slot expand to accommodate more and more as the years go on.

Each year, the creators strive to make the event more memorable than the year before. Shamier Anderson and Stephan James are the innovators responsible for the Legacy Awards. So far, they have set a precedent for what hopefully becomes a lasting show Canada can look forward to every year. There is a black carpet segment before the show where the excellence of Toronto is in-

terviewed and asked their perspective on the success of the award show. Every mouth speaks of their hopes and dreams attached to the future of something that can become a staple in Canadian television.

Now, with any award show comes celebrity, a buffet of stars in every media section and influence. Directors, actors, singers, songwriters, and even producers all came together to bring professionalism and experience into one room to mingle and honour one another for all that has been accomplished through hard work and discipline.

The Legacy Awards hope to leave something lasting for the world to see and be inspired by. Simply working for oneself tends to be unfulfilling, however, the ability to pass something on to future generations creates a sense of motivation that most people cannot get away from. Everyone creates that stage,

especially in rooms like these, to inspire and give back to those coming after them.

Many individuals have proteges walking in their footsteps, or simply working with individuals and giving them the hard lessons of the working world, but with a gentle guiding hand.

The Legacy Awards is, as its namesake, a place to inspire future generations and build upon what has been established by hardworking people.

The city and, more importantly, the country pray for its continuation indefinitely because of all the things it represents, but what is most important is that it brings peoples to the same room for nothing but celebration and joy, which is something that the world actively needs wherever it can find it, especially in these trying times.

Who do politicians truly represent: You, me, you over there, or generous corporations?

STEVEN KASZAB steven@carib101.com

INSIGHT TO SOCIETY

My parents wanted me to go to university to study some practical things, no doubt: economics, business, sciences or perhaps medicine. The status especially for a migrant family from Hungary was huge.

The costs of higher education rise annually. With the pandemic’s influence, lack of staff, the supply chain crisis, there were enough accepted excuses to increase costs, and ultimately students (or parents) debt. In Canada post-secondary education can cost above $80,000, depending on what is being studied, if accommodation is needed too. The high-

er education sector knows it can charge whatever it so desires, as students, particularly women return to these schools to meet their own and parental dreams of career building and betterment. Many young men often do not advance in the halls of higher learning, preferring to pursue other lines of education, skills and trades.

The US student debt level has reached 1.37 trillion dollars and is rising annually by hundreds of millions of dollars. Canadian student debt has gone beyond 22.3 billion dollars, with the average Canadian student debt averaging $26,689. With the American debt ceiling reaching 31-33 trillion dollars, and Canada’s well over $850 billion, governments cannot substantially assist these indebted students, so they are on their own, or dependent upon their parents’ largess.

Costs will continue to increase especially with regards to housing costs and needs. Most university towns don’t have enough accommodation for domestic and international students, and the mar-

ketplace raises prices daily.

A great portion of this debt went onto credit cards and lines of credit, all with increasing interest rates. The cost of education has quite realistically driven many students from the sector to pursue other avenues of interest, but what about the debt itself? It is not going away any time soon. Canadian students paying $6,998.00 annually can expect a 25% increase in the next two years. Ivy League schools’ prices will skyrocket as they have done in the past.

Most students don’t have wealthy parents, or professional jobs to pay for these costs. It almost appears as though a societal transition is happening, where once lower class and middleclass students had the chance to pursue their education with hope for a better future. Now parents need to mortgage their homes, use up their nest eggs, or win a lottery of two.

“The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal, yet there is nothing more unequal than the

equal treatment of unequal people.”

Aristotle Higher education is becoming a thing only the well off or brilliant can fathom. Yes, unequal, unfair, but truthful.

Money talks, and those who do not have it will certainly have to walk. To the many socialists, equality and race centered activists out there, like flying on an airline with tickets increasing in price daily, so too the approach we will all have towards higher education.

Perhaps we can look to an example presented to the well-educated long ago. Aristotle, Socrates and many other quick lipped thinkers of the Greece of old, were able to sit around and chat with like-minded folk because they had slaves, and people doing the hard work for them while they lounged about. History is often cyclical, so are we returning to a time when the few attended higher schools of learning, and the majority pursued the trades, robotics, civil service and manual labor?

PAGE 32

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Are we living in an era of the sociopath?

A look at narcissistic abuse victim syndrome SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

HUMAN SPECIALIST

I have received some responses from my last few articles. I didn’t realize that this topic would draw as much interest as it has. It makes me think; do we currently have a surplus in individuals who are suffering with narcissistic personality disorder? Are we living in an era of the sociopath?

I have had to deal with a couple of individuals in my dating experiences who do exhibit behaviour that could definitely be considered narcissistic. I don’t think that it is fair to call them all narcissists, but what I have felt after being with these individuals is something very real, something that I think there are people out there who have experienced the same thing.

This week I want to speak with everyone about the aftereffects of be-

ing with someone who has narcissism; what you feel is real, and if anyone has dismissed these feelings in the past, this article is here to help you know that you are not alone.

Instead of focusing on my relationship with M, I thought I would discuss some of the thoughts and feelings that came after dealing with someone who I truly believed was narcissistic. While I was working through the cloud of disbelief that I felt, there were some thoughts that were going through my head: Was I getting my needs met consistently?

Did I sometimes get a very strong feeling that I was being manipulated, but then ignore it?

If I'm being honest with myself, was I being controlled and not getting my needs met?

Had I been forced to sacrifice my other relationships and priorities in a constant attempt to serve this person's needs.

Narcissistic abuse victim syndrome is a term that collectively describes the specific and often severe effects of narcissistic manipulation. While this isn’t a recognized mental health con-

dition, experts acknowledge narcissistic abuse can have a serious, long-lasting impact on your mental health.

Anyone who has been a victim of a narcissist, I want you to first of all to know that it is VERY easy to get caught up with this personality type. Narcissistic manipulation and abuse are often subtle.

In public, these behaviors might be so well disguised that others hear or see the same behaviors and fail to recognize them as abuse. You might not even fully understand what’s happening. You only know you feel confused, upset, or even guilty for your “mistakes.”

Your loved ones probably don’t understand, and you likely feel pretty alone — which only increases your vulnerability to further narcissistic manipulation. The person abusing you has a knack for pulling you back in with kindness, even apologies, or by pretending the abuse never happened. This type of cognitive dissonance is hard to navigate; trust me I know.

It is important to note that people respond to abuse and other trauma in different ways. You might attempt to confront the abusive person (fight) or escape the situation (flight). If these meth-

ods don’t work or you feel unable to use them, you might respond by freezing, or fawning.

The freeze response usually happens when you feel helpless. Freezing can have some benefits in certain situations, but it doesn’t help much when you cannot escape from the danger. If you believe there is no way out of the relationship, you might remain in it — and perhaps even respond by fawning, an attempt at working to keep your partner happy.

I remember attempting both these responses. They left me feeling a loss of self; I felt lost and empty. I started having extreme difficulty enjoying life and lost sight of my sense of purpose.

If you’ve experienced narcissistic abuse, you might also have trouble setting healthy boundaries in your relationships with others, and you may feel unheard and unsupported. This made it hard for me to trust people again, a disturbingly isolated feeling.

Don’t ignore what you feel; everything you feel is valid, and it is going to take some time to move past it. You were a victim. It did happen. You will get through it.

Contrary to popular belief, there was inter-ethnic solidarity in the Caribbean Part II DESMOND BOLLERS desmond@carib101.com

CARIBBEAN HISTORY

The first kidnapped Africans were trafficked and sold into slavery in Guadeloupe in1650 and there was immediately widespread resistance, with an open uprising in1656, which lasted several weeks.

A simultaneous spate of mass desertions lasted at least two years until the French compelled the indigenous Kalinago to stop assisting the Africans. A similar situation obtained in Martinique.

On December 10th, 1537, the Spaniards in Mexico experienced the first effort by

enslaved Africans and Native Americans to organize a large-scale uprising aimed at killing all the Spaniards and taking control of the land. The Spanish Viceroy complained that Native American cooperation with Africans seemed to have been instrumental to the success of various revolts and made the job of repression all the more difficult.

By the 1560’s, fugitive enslaved Africans from the mines of the north were terrorizing the regions from Guadalajara to Zacatecas, allying with the Native Americans and raiding ranches. In one case maroons from the mines of Guanajuato joined with unpacified Chichimec Native Americans in a brutal war with the settlers.

Collaboration between Native Americans and Africans fighting against Europeans was also a feature of life in the Dutch colonies of Berbice and Surinam.

The one geographical area where there

was sustained negative interaction between Native Americans was in the Dutch colonies on the north coast of South America, and this was not the result of any instinctive hostility that Native Americans developed towards Africans but was actually the result of a deliberate policy of the Dutch colonists. The numbers of Dutch present in these colonies were always very small in relation to the numbers of enslaved Africans, the Dutch realized that they needed allies to bolster their forces in times of insurrection by the enslaved population, or large-scale escapes. They therefore turned to the Native Americans and entered into treaties with them making them, in effect ‘slave catchers,’ and armed auxiliaries. However, even in these circumstances there were instances when the Native Americans breached their treaties and allied themselves with the Africans.

This misperception of instinctive hostility

may be bolstered by the fact that in countries such as Mexico and the Central American states there is currently often hostility expressed by Native Americans towards Africans. This is a nineteenth century, post-independence phenomenon, and it was fomented by the creole elites who viewed the prevailing solidarity between Native Americans and Africans as a threat to their hegemony, so they employed the tried and tested policy of ‘divide and rule.’

Throughout the colonial period, the two groups had forged strong bonds much to the consternation of the Spanish colonial authorities. The Native Americans and Africans clearly understood that they were both victims of the same oppressor, and that it was in their best interest to join forces to counter the oppression.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

LIFE

PAGE 33

Rolling on the floor at Laughing Loud SEAN SEURATTAN sean@carib101.com

THE HEIGHTENED CHEF Canada has become fertile soil for not only cannabis itself but for the rich culture created around it. Yet without art, there is no culture. Gracefully, cannabis is well known to spark creativity amongst the artist community. Here in the midst of one of the most multicultural cities in the world, the team at Laughing Loud has created an event to showcase many artistic disciplines from many different perspectives all under the common banner of cannabis.

Upon entry, patrons were greeted by the pleasant and helpful event staff who helped prepare them for the many things they were about to encounter. The first section of the venue was the largest and we set up to be an open marketplace. The benefit of being a third-party entity outside the actual cannabis industry meant that it was

a safe space welcoming both legacy and licensed market participants. Rows upon rows of tables seated vendors offering a wide variety of cannabis and Cannabis products. The booth occupied by Subliminator Warrior and Solventless garnered the most attention as they allowed guests to sample their artistry through some high potency puffs. Definitely a good way to find the right altitude for the rest of the show.

The next section was dedicated to visual art and the talented artists behind it who reside in our city. Many pieces were on sale and while not every piece was directly about cannabis, most were inspired with or by everyone’s favorite plant. There was also a guided painting class taking place where guests could come and learn to express themselves on the canvas. The highlight was getting to see live work being done by Toronto’s legendary graffiti artist; Duro The Third who’s iconic murals and pieces have beautifully adorned the city for decades.

With people like him leading the way, it will be inevitable to see both cannabis and graffiti transcend from criminal taboo to mainstream acceptance.

After moving to another floor, festival goers were greeted by the hypnotizing aroma of Chef Pat Rodrigo Newton’s

culinary artistry. Serving as an elevated concession for the hungry masses of people with munchies, Chef Pat and his amazing brigade of chefs were putting out restaurant quality dishes instead of just the regular theatre fare. With dishes ranging from snack to meal to dessert, each was named with a clever cannabis pun and assembled immaculately. My favourite delight was his “A Really Pig Blunt” which was a braised pork belly taco wrapped in a white corn tortilla cone. Delicious to the last bite!

In between the constant orders coming to the kitchen, I was able to ask about his most and least favorite things about creating a culinary experience such as this. He quickly replied “My least favorite part is the anxiety leading up to actual service. Making sure that everything is ready and at the standard I know it needs to be.”

Then after some careful thought he followed with “My most favourite part is the camaraderie formed in what can be a hightension environment. The bonds made within my team after a busy service are everything to me.” His love for his craft was clearly expressed in the deliciousness of his menu and patrons could do nothing but agree with their full bellies.

After sampling everything I could

get my hands on, I made my way to the theatre for what would be considered the main attraction and the reason for the events title. What would end up being a marathon of stand-up comedy had comics from across the city coming to the stage. In what I consider to be the most challenging of the performing arts, stand up comedy can be either completely unforgiving or pure elation. With just their mind, their voice and a microphone, comedian after comedian rose to the occasion making the packed house erupt in laughter. With hometown heroes Keith Pedro and Jarred Nathan as headliners and Jesse Singh as host, the bar for excellence was set high (no pun intended) but each performer found their way to glory.

Laughing Loud easily could’ve been chaos but instead it was a finely curated convergence of creative minds all with a passion for cannabis. While every aspect included was worthy of praise, it was the combination of all things that truly made the vibes transcendent. Being able to freely transition from experience to experience as one pleased allowed each person to have a unique memory of the evening’s festivities.

PAGE 34

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

What are the advantages of using a mortgage broker?

If you’re planning to invest in a new property and need to borrow money, teaming up with a mortgage broker can be a wise decision. A broker acts as an intermediary between you and lenders, and their main objective is to help clients find the mortgage product that best suits their financial situation.

Here are a few reasons why it pays to work with a mortgage broker.

You get a wider variety of loan options A mortgage broker has a vast network of lenders, which means they can offer you a wide variety of credit options.

Unlike a single bank or lender, a broker deals with multiple financial institutions. This gives you the freedom to choose the interest rates, repayment terms and other preferences.

You receive impartial, personalized advice When you partner with a broker, you’ll get objective advice that’s tailored to your specific situation. They’ll evaluate your financial background, analyze your needs and guide you through the process of selecting a mortgage that meets your requirements.

You save time and effort Searching for a suitable mortgage can be a daunting and time-consuming task. With a broker, you won’t have to worry about doing the legwork yourself. They’ll do it for you, free of charge, and save you time and energy so you can focus on other responsibilities.

If you’re considering buying a property, don’t hesitate to bring a mortgage broker on board. They’ll help you find the best solution for your needs.

Don’t let winter put a chill on your house hunt

Most buyers prefer to shop for a new home during the warmer months.

However, if you’re willing to brave the cold weather, winter can be a great time to go house hunting. Are you able to take winter in stride? Here are some tips to make the most of your winter house hunt.

1. Plan your viewings. Since the days are shorter in winter, it’s important to schedule your viewings so that you can see the houses in natural light. Make sure you give yourself enough time at each location to thoroughly assess the property and its surroundings.

2. Pay attention to seasonal issues.

House shopping in winter allows you to spot season-specific problems, such as possible pest infestations and heating and drainage problems. Don’t be afraid to ask about the home’s most recent en-

ergy bills. Hire a building inspector to get an accurate assessment of the general condition of the house.

3. Be flexible with deadlines. Winter weather conditions can often cause delays with real estate transactions. Be prepared to adjust your timeline to accommodate unforeseen events.

Buying a house in winter can be an excellent opportunity for buyers to take advantage of reduced competition, lower prices and higher availability in the real estate market.

Trust the professionals to help you get the property of your dreams.

you trying to sell your home during an idea of how cozy your home can be Tips for selling your home Are the holidays? Don’t worry, with some during the cold season. and strategic thinking, you during the holidays preparation can still find a buyer amidst the festive Create a warm indoor atmosphere chaos. Here are some tips to help you out.

Consider your home’s curb appeal The first impression is often the most important detail for potential buyers.

Pay attention to the exterior of your home and ensure the house and yard are well maintained. Remove ice and snow from walkways and keep unsightly or unused objects out of sight. Add a few decorative elements for a touch of charm.

Highlight your home’s winter assets The cold season offers the unique sales advantage of enabling you to show off the features that get used in winter.

Now’s the time to spotlight your fireplace, indoor spa or energy-efficient heating system to give potential buyers

Decorate your interior with elegant festive details. Include fairy lights and a high-quality Christmas tree. Take care not to overdo it on decorations, as it can create a cluttered look.

Plan visits wisely The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, so you’ll need to be strategic when planning viewings and holiday visits. Talk with your real estate agent to determine which time slots are optimal for receiving buyers. Be flexible with your holiday schedule.

Follow these tips to increase your chances of selling your home during the holiday season. Turn to a local real estate agent to guide you through the process.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

REAL ESTATE

PAGE 35

I want to screen my potential tenant, but how do I read the credit report?

JAY BRIJPAUL

• •

brijpaul@carib101.com

•

REAL ESTATE PRO

• •

Renting out your basement can be a great way to generate extra income, but screening potential tenants is vital to ensure they are reliable and financially responsible.

One effective screening method is by reviewing their credit report, which provides valuable insight into their financial history.

By analyzing their credit report, you can assess their ability to pay rent on time and make informed decisions.

When reviewing a credit report, there are specific codes and indicators you should pay attention to. The codes include: • • •

I (Instalment Credit): This represents borrowing money for a fixed period and making regular payments.

O (Open Status Credit): This indicates the ability to borrow money up to a specific limit when needed.

R (Revolving or Recurring Credit): This refers to the ability to borrow money up to a credit limit on an ongoing basis.

The manner of payments is reported numerically, with each number carrying a specific meaning: • • •

0: No credit history 1: Paid within 30 days of the due date 2: Paid after 30 days but less than 60

•

days from the due date 3: Paid after 60 days but less than 90 days from the due date 4: Paid after 90 days but less than 120 days from the payment date 5: Account is in default for over 120 days but not yet rated as 9 7: Customer makes payment under a consolidation order 8: Repossession (voluntary or involuntary) 9: Bad debt, placed for collection

Late payments are a significant indicator of financial responsibility. If a potential tenant has a pattern of late payments on their credit cards, loans, or utility bills, it suggests either financial hardships or a lack of financial responsibility. Late payments can be a red flag as it may indicate that they will also pay their rent late, potentially causing financial strain for you as the landlord.

Additionally, it’s essential to consider the tenant’s credit score. A credit score typically ranges from 300 to 900, and a score below 560 is generally regarded as bad credit. While most landlords prefer tenants with excellent credit scores, it’s worth noting that there can be good tenants with less-than-perfect credit ratings. Considering other factors, such as employment history and job stability, is crucial. For example, a registered nurse with poor credit may still make an excellent long-term tenant due to the strength of their profession.

Another critical aspect to consider is the tenant’s debt load. Renters with high debt levels may be more likely to default on their rental payments. Calculate their monthly debt payments and the rental cost when reviewing a credit report. Ensure that the total annual expenses do not exceed 50% of their gross income. Additionally,

consider the type of debts they have. Student loans are reasonable, but debts from department store cards or credit cards, especially if they are close to their maximum limit, may indicate poor spending habits.

Derogatory marks on a credit report, such as bankruptcies, accounts in collections, car repossessions, and credit card charge-offs, are red flags. These records suggest financial instability and a higher risk of not paying rent on time. However, looking at the entire picture and considering any mitigating circumstances is essential. For instance, there may be cases where tenants with a bankruptcy history have still proven to be responsible and reliable renters.

If a prospective tenant has no

credit history, it’s essential to dig deeper and request additional documents such as bank account statements, tax returns, job letters, and recent pay stubs. It’s crucial to avoid making emotional decisions based solely on their circumstances and to assess their overall financial situation carefully.

Remember that while a credit report is a valuable tool, it should be considered alongside other measures when screening tenants. Meeting potential tenants, assessing their personalities, and investigating their social media presence can provide further insights. Take your time during the screening process, as once a tenant occupies your basement, the dynamics change, and it can be challenging to rectify any issues that arise.

PAGE 36

HOME

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Wall coverings: essential materials Whether you want to create a warm, contemporary, rustic or eccentric atmosphere in your home, there’s a wide range of materials to suit your needs. Do you want to give one or more walls a makeover? These popular coverings will help make your home more beautiful.

4 effective solutions to combat drafts When temperatures plummet, drafts can make your home uncomfortable and increase your electricity bills. Fortunately, a variety of products and solutions are available to help manage heat loss. Here are a few winning ideas to help you improve your home’s insulation.

1. Caulk around windows and doors Use silicone or foam caulking around windows and doors to seal cracks and help keep cold air out. Regularly check the condition of the existing sealant and replace it when necessary.

2. Install a door sill or weatherstrip Install door sills or weatherstrips to create a watertight barrier at the base of your doors. Add a rubber, foam or thick fabric door sweep for maximum insulation.

Wood Wood adds a sense of warmth and comfort to any room.

Whether you opt for natural wood, reclaimed barn wood or laminated wood panels, this material adds a serene, organic touch to your decor.

Brick Bricks are perfect for creating a rustic or retro look. They can be used on an entire wall or as an accent in a room. You have many choices, such as real brick or faux brick covering.

Stone Stone wall coverings are synonymous with luxury and sophistication. Stones like marble, granite and schist are highly prized for their natural beauty and durability.

Metal tiles Metal tiles or panels add a touch of refinement and shine to your space. They can be used to cover an entire wall or create strategically placed accents.

Wall coverings offer a multitude of possibilities for adding style to your home. Speak to the staff at your local home renovation store for more information.

Guide to buying a robot vacuum

3. Insulate the attic Proper attic insulation is essential to prevent drafts and improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Check the condition of your insulation material and add more as needed. Mineral wool and cellulose fibre are effective materials for reinforcing existing insulation.

Are you looking for an efficient way to cut down on your household chores? A robot vacuum might be the perfect solution. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to know which one to choose. Here are a few factors to consider before making your decision.

4. Apply plastic window film Apply plastic window film for an easy and effective barrier against drafts. Attach the film to the window frame with double-sided tape and use a hairdryer to seal it.

Cleaning capabilities First, you must consider the vacuum’s cleaning capabilities, including the suction power, the dust tank size, side brushes for corners and suitability to clean various types of flooring.

Some models even come with sensors that can detect dirty areas.

By taking a few simple steps, you can protect your home from drafts, improve your comfort and reduce your heating costs. Visit a local hardware or renovation store to get the materials and guidance you need.

Vinyl Vinyl coverings are available in a wide range of patterns and colours, often imitating other materials such as wood or stone.

They’re resistant to moisture and easy to install.

Navigation and mapping The best robot vacuums come equipped with sensors and cameras to map your home, avoid obstacles and plan efficient cleaning routes. Some models use advanced algorithms to

move methodically and avoid collisions, and some can be controlled remotely via a mobile app.

Battery capacity and recharging Robot vacuums vary in terms of how long they can run on a single charge. High-end models generally offer longer running time, allowing them to clean larger areas without needing frequent recharging.

Price and quality It’s important to strike the right balance between price and quality. Before making your final decision, read user reviews and compare different models.

Before buying a robot vacuum, carefully assess your needs. To make the right choice, don’t hesitate to speak with the staff at a home improvement or electronics store near you.

FUN

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 37

WEEK OF OCTOBER 8 TO OCTOBE 14, 2023

ARIES

The luckiest signs this week: LIBRA, SCORPIO AND SAGITTARIUS

On an emotional level, your penchant for seduction will be amplified.

You’ll attract the attention of some interesting people. You’ll expand your clientele to the delight of your boss, who’ll see their profits double thanks to your charisma.

TAURUS

You’ll realize you’re of utmost importance to your employer, resulting in a higher salary and better prospects for your future. In romance, you’ll be able to achieve goals that meet your lover’s standards.

PUZZLE NO. 799 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 799

HOW TO PLAY :

GEMINI

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

You’ll make your workdays more enjoyable by engaging in moments of pleasure. Expend your excess energy by giving free rein to lively conversations with your loved ones. Express your ideas to stimulate discussion.

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.

CANCER

If you need money for a difficult situation or an important purchase, you can negotiate a loan to improve your quality of life.

In addition, romantic relationships could benefit from sustained attention.

LEO

PUZZLE NO. 89

Try to be more equitable in your love life. Avoid always making decisions in your own interests. Rather, seek solutions that promote compromise. In your work life, don’t neglect the small details.

VIRGO

money 44. Boom box 47. Ahab of “Moby Dick,” e.g.

50. Smells 51. Organ of sight 52. Sob 53. Father 54. Darn 55. Curse

ACROSS 1. Picnic-crashing insect 4. By means of 7. Fire 12. Life story, for short 13. “____ Got Sixpence” 14. Reduce

15. Machines 17. Edmonton player 18. University official 19. Branding ____ 21. Ducked 24. Paving liquid 27. Dozing 30. Operatic

highlight 31. West Pointers 32. Curving 34. Spirited 35. Peachlike fruits 37. Vampire, at times 38. Overpass 39. Rounded roof 40. Acapulco

DOWN 1. In the sack 2. Cat-o’-____tails 3. Dress for Caesar 4. Safety ____ 5. “All About ____” 6. Quit 7. Vital fluid 8. Meat cut 9. Hole-making tool 10. Final letter 11. Botch 16. Truly 20. Consider 22. Elect 23. Deprive of weapons 24. Huey, Dewey,

and Louie 25. “____ Misbehavin’ “ 26. Cloth shreds 27. Wound cover 28. Volcanic flow 29. Amend 30. Receive with favor 33. Big truck 36. Fragments 38. Promote 39. Terrible

41. To ____ his own 42. Kingly address 43. Black stone 44. Filch 45. Citrus refresher 46. Asta or Lassie 48. Sailor’s yes 49. Cathedral seat

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 89

If you underestimate the importance of sleep, your ability to concentrate will be impacted, and you’ll weaken your immune system. If you take the time to get a good night’s sleep, you’ll enjoy beautiful creativity and create a new masterpiece.

LIBRA

You’ll be unable to pull yourself away from social media. Many of your friends will try to contact you. A family commitment will force you to come to your senses. You’ll fall in love with a new art form.

SCORPIO

At home, you’ll need to rely on others to handle the household chores. You’ll manage to reunite the family. Your smile will create a warm, comforting atmosphere. At work, all the emergencies will come to you.

SAGITTARIUS

Before starting a new project, ensure you have all the necessary information. Even if you haven’t planned for a romantic weekend, you may want to indulge in this experience.

CAPRICORN

To have a successful career, you must have the courage to learn new things and adjust to change. These adaptations are necessary for you to achieve stability and experience professional growth. The adjustments will be beneficial.

AQUARIUS

The devil is in the details. How you dress and present yourself will play a critical role in your career development. You’re at risk of excessive self-indulgence, and your friends will support your foolishness.

PISCES

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

You can expect to receive good news about your health. You may finally find the right treatment or medication for your needs, thus improving your quality of life. At work, you’re always the one that deals with emergencies.

the free

Classifieds

LIST UP TO 30 WORDS FOR FREE! CALL 647-722-6298

Your destination to buy, sell and post!

*Some Restrictions May Apply - Subject To Space Availability

HELP WANTED • ITEMS FOR SALE • PERSONALS • ANNOUNCEMENTS • AND MUCH MORE! FOR SALE FOR SALE

FORWANTED SALE HELP

SHIRT JACKS FOR SALE: All Colors all sizes call 416-474-3454

WANTED COOK: Someone to cook once a week at their home large order of Roti, curry chicken and curry potatoes. Cost to be discussed. Email postiexyz@yahoo.ca

ART FOR SALE: Want your children to improve in learning. Buy a motivational specifically made art piece at a reasonable price.

Also art made with your favorite 4 colors. Call Kelvin 647-858-4660.

FOR SALE: Single medical electric bed control by converter 2 sided bars for sale. Please call Lyn at 416-662-3366 FOR SALE: Pool table for sale 8FT BY 92 - Good for garage entertainment. (1 yr) Green velvet. 800.00 Please call Lyn at 416-662-3366

LIVE OUT HOUSEKEEPER: Live out house keeper no Caregiving needed for family at Bathurst and Wilson.

No Cash Anna 416-729-4772

LIST UP TO 30 WORDS FREE! 647-722-6298

Some restrictions may apply. We reserve the right of refusal.

HELP WANTED

WAREHOUSE 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

FOR SALE WORSHIP

SHARED ACCOMADATIONS: 2 bedroom available, male preferred. No parking available ,no smoking or drinking. Utilities Included. $900 per month. Islington and Steeles.

SUNDAY SERVICE: Fountain of Truth Ministries Pastor: Reverend Maxine Campbell Worship Address: 2170 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke Percy Johnson School – Cafeteria Sundays: 10.am – 2. pm Teaching, Worship, Ministering For info call: 416 748 0211

Call 416-650-9558.

LOOKING FOR WORK LOOKING FOR A JOB: 29 years old male looking for a looking for a job. Sanjay 437-484-5151

MISSISSAUGA: Mississauga Missionary Baptist Church invites you to join us at 1620 Dundas St West, each Sunday at 10am for praise, worship and in-depth Bible teaching with Pastor Sean, 416-219-9137

SALES REPS WANTED

We are in the process of expansion and constantly looking for the best of the best! Dedicated salespeople; people interested in opportunities to help others while also being able to help themselves. For more information, please contact Trish 647-722-6298 or trish@carib101.com

Give Your Children an Edge!

Specialized services are affordable; sessions are tailor made to suit your budget great or small.

+ A

We offer One-on-One packages as well as Group Rates!

Whether you want to stay on track or soar ahead, let us create your success story!

Contact us at 416-551-2469 or find us online at hear-2-help.com

Community Development Services Proven Results • Qualified Tutors • Flexible Rates

business

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TEL: 705-291-1100

PAGE 40

BUSINESS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

First job or new career Five ways to acquire useful experience First-time applicants, recent graduates ente­ring the workforce, and people changing ca­reers often face the same dilemma: they don’t get hired because they lack experience, and they can’t acquire experience because no one will hire them. While frustrating, there are ways to avoid this paradox and gain useful, relevant experience to land that new job.

1. Co-op programs. Many programs offer students the opportunity to alternate bet­ween work and study terms.

Work is related to your field of study and consists of several paid or unpaid internships. These allow you to acquire experience and to de­velop contacts in

your field.

2. Student jobs. While at school, try to get a job that develops pertinent skills that will be useful when pursuing your future career. For example, if you plan on working with children, choose a job as a camp counsellor in­s­tead of delivering pizzas.

3. Internships. Work internships are practical for both students and people looking to change careers. They allow you to put your skills and knowledge into practice, acquire experience and connect with individuals and bu­ sinesses in your field.

4. Volunteering. Volunteering your time at a company in your field or sector is a

great way to acquire experience and expand your network of connections.

5. Temporary employment. Working at firms who hire additional staff during peak periods is another excellent way to gain experience.

Lastly, don’t overlook the many opportunities found on the hidden job market. A significant amount of openings are filled without ever being posted or advertised. That’s why it’s important to turn to your network of friends, family members and even old classmates when looking for employment.

Often­ times, you’ll discover that landing that first job comes down to who you know and not what you know.

Preparing for a job interview Being on time and confident aren’t the only keys to a successful job interview. Good planning and preparation are essential when at­ tempting to make a good impression on po­ tential employers. Here are a few things you should think about before your interview: •

•

•

Choose your attire in advance. Always dress according to the po­sition you’re interviewing for when picking out your clothes.

Know the route and the amount of time you’ll need to get to the interview. Give yourself plenty of time in case you encounter any un­foreseen events, such as construction or traffic.

Prepare any documents you’ll need beforehand. These might include your cover

•

•

letter, CV, a list of re­ferences and copies of your diplomas or degrees. Place them all in a folder to avoid appearing disorganized.

Research the company as much as possible before your interview. Learn about the products or services they provide, their target market, company objectives and mission statements, and new projects. Web­sites, annual reports, specialized journals and press releases are great places to look when searching for information.

Reread the job listing and identify the key criteria relating to the position, such as the desired skills and qualifications, required training, duties and res­ ponsibilities.

•

Analyze and memorize your CV. Determine and highlight any relevant expe­ rience, skills and as­sets, and education or training you’ll be bringing to the position. Try to identify any professional weaknesses you may have as well as how you overcame them or minimized their impact.

Finally, prepare some frequently asked questions and ask a friend or family member to interview you. You’ll be able to practise giving clear and concise answers, maintaining eye contact and using the appropriate language and terminology. Whatever you do, don’t me­ mo­rize your answers: being yourself is crucial for a successful job interview. Good luck!

What to include in your professional portfolio Much like your CV and cover letter, a well-constructed professional portfolio is instrumental in setting you apart from the competition. This collection of documents illustrates and showcases your professional ac­compli­shments and talents. It provides potential employers with concrete examples demonstrating the skills and experience you’ve acquired, and serves to show that you’re the perfect fit for the position.

When putting your portfolio together, you’ll need to make a list of all your various professional accomplishments, such as internships, education, previous jobs or community work. Once done, you’ll need to se­lect the documents most relevant to the position you’re targeting. The best way to do this is to refer to the list of skills and qua­­ lifications sought after by the company or

employer.

You’ll then need to decide which documents — texts, degrees, reports, letters of recommendations, certificates, awards, cour­ ses, etc. — best represent your skills.

Once you’ve collected and organized all the relevant material, you’ll have the option of crea­ ting a paper portfolio (traditionally placed in a three-ring binder) or an online portfolio. And while portfolios vary from person to person, they all contain the same major components, such as: • • • •

A cover page containing the date, your name and contact information A table of contents A statement regarding your career objectives A copy of your resumé

• •

•

Letters of recommendation A description of your skills relating to the position and an account of how you developed them during your professional career Work samples that provide con­crete examples and evidence of your skills and ac­ complishments

Regardless of the format you choose, your portfolio must be professional, well structured and easy to navigate. It’s also im­portant to tailor and personalize your portfolio to each and every interview. Certain positions might call for different skill sets or expe­ riences, so you’ll want your portfolio to showcase the ac­complishments that make you the best candidate for the job.

Five steps for a successful career change Ready for a career change, but not sure how to make the leap? Here are five essential steps you should consider before moving forward.

1.

2.

3.

Decide what you want. Take the time to consider your needs, motivations and interests before deciding which path you want to follow. Are you looking for a less stressful ca­reer, one that provides more independence or maybe a better balance between work and your personal life? You can always meet with a career counsellor if you’re having trouble deciding.

Assess yourself. Write down your skills, interests, values, strengths, weaknesses, li­kes and dislikes. Better understanding your­self will go a long way in finding a career that’s right for you.

Evaluate your options. Research the sa­

4.

5.

lary, working conditions, long-term pros­ pects, benefits and current opportunities of the careers you find interesting.

De­termine the time and money you’ll have to invest and sacrifices you’ll need to make. Certain careers might require more of your personal time or additional education. Getting to know the profession or trade beforehand (i.e. through volunteering or an internship) will also help the decision-making process.

Have a plan. Create a detailed action plan to map out the steps you’ll need to take. Identify your main goals while taking your financial and educational needs into account. Determine if you’ll need to work weekends while at school, or how you’ll balance family, work and school life.

Get help. You’ll need the support of your

family and friends to achieve your goals, so be sure to share you career as­pirations with those closest to you. Mo­reover, your decisions might disrupt your family and social life, so it’s best to keep loved ones well-informed. Don’t forget to look into va­rious financial aid options along the way. Loans, bursaries and start-up grants can be extremely helpful when chan­ging careers.

Making a career change can be a big investment, both in time and money. And as with any investment, you’ll want to make the best-informed deci­sion possible. By being organized and thorough in your planning, you’ll help to ensure that your professional transition is a smooth and successful one.

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PAGE 42

AUTOMOTIVE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TorontoCaribbean.com | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Should you take off your winter coat when driving?

According to Transport Canada, wearing a seat belt nearly halves the risk of being killed or seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident. However, did you know that wearing a heavy winter coat while driving can reduce the effectiveness of your seatbelt?

For a seatbelt to work effectively, it must be tight and close to the body. That’s why it’s better to wrap a baby in a blanket after securing them in their car seat rather than leaving their coat on. This ensures the straps fit snugly.

Similarly, fastening your seatbelt over a very thick garment,

like a ski jacket, can create a gap between the belt and your body, making it less effective in protecting you in a collision.

What’s more, a heavy winter coat can restrict your movements and potentially impair your driving.

These are two good reasons to take it off when you get behind the wheel.

Choose clothes that are warm but not too thick and use your heated seat to avoid shivering in freezing weather.

Your passengers should follow the same advice, even if it means using their coats as blankets.

What car accessories should you buy before the cold season?

If you want to be safe on the roads this winter, it’s important to have a few accessories.

Here are four of the most useful.

1.

2.

Snow brush. Choose a sturdy snow brush, ideally a telescopic model fitted with an ice scraper. An increasing number of manufacturers are offering models with an anti-scratch ice scraper made of EVA foam or silicone rather than a brush. Small stones and other debris can get stuck in the brush and damage your car’s windows and paintwork.

Windshield wipers. During a snowstorm or when the roads are covered in slush, it’s important to keep your windshield clear. For optimal visibility, equip your vehicle with high-quality windshield wipers. Look for sturdy models with an extra rubber coating and an internal frame.

3.

4.

Rubber floor mats. Protect the inside of your vehicle — and the bottoms of your pants — from slush with hard-wearing winter floor mats with deep grooves.

These versatile accessories also protect certain electronic components located under the front seats.

Shovel. If your vehicle or that of another driver gets stuck in the snow this winter, you’ll be glad you planned ahead. Clearing snow with your hands or feet is far from efficient and can lead to injury. Get yourself a lightweight shovel with an extendable handle.

Finally, don’t forget to pack an emergency kit to ensure you’re prepared for the unexpected. This should include warm clothing, bottled water, a flashlight and traction aids.

Free Afterschool Program At CACD, we cultivate leadership and excellence by combining mentorship, workshops, and STEM education to nurture communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Our comprehensive approach spans academic achievement, life skills, physical well-being, and career guidance. Through personalized tutoring and workshops, we foster effective communication, critical thinking, and time management. Emphasizing physical health, we integrate play and nutrition education. Our career support encompasses exploration, readiness, and internships, reinforced by mental health resources and financial literacy.

Furthermore, we operate with a well rounded approach by blending in Creativity, Expression, and Cultural Identity, fostering self-expression through media art, photography, and film, and embracing cultural diversity through dynamic events and practical workshops. We also encourage Higher Education, offering vital scholarship and financial aid resources, and providing crucial guidance to post-secondary students navigating university and college life. This holistic commitment extends to Engaging with Impact, actively encouraging participation in crucial social issues through meaningful discussions, impactful campaigns, and community-driven projects, reinforced by ongoing tutoring and mentoring for a purposeful and meaningful journey.

Digital Literacy/STEM Financial Literacy Mental Health

Program Activities include: Employability

Health/Well-Being Academics & Tutoring

(905) 277-8455

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Uni/College Guidance and much more!

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