Toronto's Gun Pandemic

Here she was stuck in an elevator with a stranger when all she wanted to do was go home, lie on the couch, drink her Guinness, and read a book.

Her daughters were with their father for the evening, and her soul was aching; it had been a rough few years for Brenda, but she was doing what she could to navigate the challenges life had placed in her path.

The storm was at full tilt, and the 1012 minutes she had been in the elevator felt like hours. What she didn’t realize at the time was that being stuck in that elevator is the reason that she was still alive…

Business leader, lecturer, publisher, award-winning community activist, educator; adjectives and accolades to describe one of the most incomprehensibly positive and optimistic people I have ever met. For our Woman Empowered, every day is a beautiful day to be alive, and that is not to say that she doesn’t or hasn’t experienced suffering, loss and disappointment.

I have observed her over the years use her brilliant mind to create unprecedented success and growth for young women in the Greater Toronto Area, utilizing her power to activate the power within others. She is passionate about building others up, as well as creating resilience in herself and her daughters. What I am most moved by is her ability to turn her uncanny neardeath experience into a platform for empowerment that resonates within the soul of anyone who hears her story. She is truly an outstanding vessel of love.

Brenda Foreman has had a notable trajectory expanding over 20 years in St. Kitts and Nevis and the Toronto Greater Area. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with multinational private and public companies, leading strategic programs in corporate identity, positioning and representation.

As CEO of her Toronto-based consulting firm, Brenda has left her mark on the social and cultural spheres of Toronto’s Caribbean and African communities. Her dynamic and charitable approach to community service has landed her on multiple executive boards and advisory committees dedicated to the advocacy of: political rights, the advancement of economic and social welfare, and the promotion of Afrocentric art and black creators.

In the Federation, The Honourable Brenda Foreman has managed independent projects that supported efforts for women and youth empowerment and worked collaboratively with the Ministry of Culture to curate programs that benefited workers employed in the cultural industry. Having attended the Cayon High School, she has been an active member of her graduate group, continuously fundraising to support the local schools of her parish.

From the day I met her it was instantaneous. Her energy was undeniable, and our discussions flowed easily. It was a no-brainer for the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper to want her to be the last Woman Empowered of 2022, because she brings to the table what many only wish they could, and she does it humbly, with grace, and with style unmatched by any woman in the GTA.

Yeah, I said it and I have receipts. Despite her busy schedule, Brenda lent me her

time, and opened up like she has never done before, “I was born and raised partially in St. Kitts and Nevis, and moved to Canada when I was 12,” Brenda began. “I was a quiet book worm, and an only child at the time. I lived with extended family, and everyone in our small community told me that I took a lot after my grandmother, which made sense because she helped to raise me.

One thing that I remember about my grandmother was that she was a serial entrepreneur. She was a field labourer, and she grew: yam, dasheen, and bananas, all which she would go to the market and sell. On top of that, she would make things and sell them to children who went to school across the street. She was always working, and it hurt when she died. I was 33 years old, so thankfully, I did have that time with her.”

Brenda shares with me that she used to read a lot. The librarian would call her when there were new books, and Brenda flew through those effortlessly.

“When I read, I felt like I was traveling the world. I was doing all of this in my mind. My father lived in Canada, and when the opportunity arose, I decided that I wanted to live in Canada.

Moving to Canada was the hardest thing that I have ever done. I couldn’t understand the language, so I was put back in school. I eventually caught up, but it took me a minute. I started playing basketball and running track. The hardest part of the transition was dealing with winter; it was not fun, but I started to deal with it.

I was in a Catholic school in high school, and there were only 10 Black children attending at the time. From the moment I landed in Canada I was working, and I left home at 17 years old. It was in college that I began experimenting with my life. Back then I had a baldhead, but this made me exotic looking. One day I went to a casting call with a girlfriend, and when the casters saw me, they asked me if I wanted to model. Just like that I was the bald girl walking down the runway with all these other blond-haired women.”

Brenda was working full time at 22, 23 years old. Most of the jobs that she had were created for her. She started outfitting people at a store called Giorgio. Once a season women would come in, and she would put together their wardrobe. Brenda went through great lengths to thoroughly understand her clients in order to craft their wardrobe, allowing them to leave confident with the purchases they had made.

“I would be honest with them, and the women started to trust me. I began to take care of the owner’s books, then I became a buyer next, and this was only because the buyer got sick. I learned the European lifestyle working there. During this time, I was working at Bell Canada, in addition to the freelance modelling jobs that I picked up.”

It was at this point that Brenda opened up and shared some of her most painful experiences with me. When you have survived an extremely upsetting event, it can be painful to revisit the memory. Many of us would prefer not to talk about it, and how we decide to share our trauma memories is a very personal choice. We have to choose carefully those we entrust with this part of ourselves.

Revisiting a traumatic memory can be very upsetting, triggering strong emotional and physical reactions and even flashbacks to the event. Those reactions can stay in place for years if we have unprocessed traumatic memories, especially when we’re trying to avoid thinking about the trauma. Brenda bravely shared some of those stories with me, and I respectfully have decided that some of those are for her to share, but there was one that stuck out to me…

“I settled down and had children, and went through a tumultuous time. I lost everything. It was a very tough time for me. Thankfully, I had great people in my life, and it allowed me to get back on my feet. My daughters were five, and two years old at the time, and I remember that there were times that I was literally counting my pennies. What the hell? How did I go from having so much to having barely enough to feed my daughters and myself?”

Here is where we can pick up from the story I started earlier. That night of the storm was not a good night for Brenda. She had just gone through a painful life experience, and she wanted to drown her sorrows in a good book, alone. When she finally got out of the elevator, she entered her apartment only to see that the wind had blown the window out, and shards of glass were embedded in the very same couch that she had planned to lounge on for the night.

“All I could think of was, what if I had not been stuck in the elevator? I would have been severely injured or even dead. Right there and then, I realized that I had to use the pain that I was experiencing to help other women.”

Brenda has combined style with empowerment, and has been dubbed “The Environmental Stylist,” because of her ability to style with recycled clothing.

“I started working with a women’s program (Up with Women) that got donations from upscale businesswomen. I would help women put together their clothes after they completed the program.”

Many trauma survivors I’ve worked with described the strength they found as they faced their trauma and told their story. They said they felt like they could face anything, as they saw their fear lessen and found greater freedom in their lives. It takes courage to tell your story, and Brenda’s vision and creativity is a force to be reckoned with and makes her a woman who the

Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News

Photo Credit: Lady Mensah

Whether it is being perceived as being less intelligent, or it is unfair treatment by an employer when it comes to hiring, pay or promotions, many people of colour have experienced racism in the workplace.

According to a study conducted by the Environics Institute for Survey Research in 2019, a third to half of Canadians of colour reported being discriminated against.

About 40% of those who said they experienced racism told surveyors that it happened at work, making it one of the most common places to face discrimination. Another study conducted by the Gallup Center on Black Voices (2020) found that about one in four Black (24%) and Hispanic employees (24%) in the U.S. reported having been discriminated against at work in the past year.

The study revealed that workplace discrimination reported by Black and Hispanic workers exceeded reports of such experiences among White em-

positions demonstrate

bias toward others from marginalized groups

ployees (15%) by a substantial margin. More than 8,000 respondents were surveyed, including more than 3,500 White workers, more than 2,000 Black workers and more than 2,000 Hispanic workers.

Experiences of workplace discrimination are similar between Black men (27%) and Black women (23%), as well as between Black employees in households earning less than $90,000 annually (24%) and those in households earning $90,000 or more (25%).

Most recently the BCAS and Amnesty joined forces to shed light on the historic and on-going human rights violations faced by Black employees in Canada’s federal public service. These workers have endured anti-Black hate and anti-Black racism, both covertly and overtly, over the course of decades in the service of their country. This is contrary to the right to non-discrimination found within several international conventions ratified by the Government of Canada.

It appears that this topic continues to permeate, and most recently another study that examined bias in the workplace was conducted at the University of Florida. A researcher found that those in management positions demonstrate explicit and implicit bias toward others from marginalized groups and often express more implicit bias than people who are not in management.

The study, published this month

in Frontiers in Psychology, drew from 10 years of data publicly available from Harvard University’s Project Implicit, a repository of information from more than five million people.

George Cunningham, Professor and Chair of the UF Department of Sport Management, and his co-author analysed responses from people who identified themselves as managers and compared their assessments of: racial, gender, disability and sexual orientation biases to those from people in 22 other occupational designations.

“Stereotypes and prejudices harm workplace experiences and advancement opportunities for people from minoritized and subjugated backgrounds. While people undoubtedly experience mistreatment from co-workers and customers, our work shows that managers are also likely to express bias, particularly in implicit forms.”

He noted that implicit bias occurs automatically and unintentionally, but it affects judgements, decision-making and behaviours. Research has shown that this unintentional discrimination has implications for many aspects of society, including in: health care, policing, education and organizational practices.

It is different with explicit bias where individuals are aware of their prejudices and attitudes toward certain groups.

“With respect to explicit biases, the scores as we calculated them indicated that people working in management occupations had an explicit bias in favour of people without disabilities, men relative to women working outside the home, White people and heterosexual people,” Cunningham said.

So, now what; what do we do now? It is clear that this is a major issue across North America, but what is being done to deal with this issue.

According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission there are ways that organizations can prevent and eliminate discrimination against people of colour in their organizations. Organizations should develop strategies to prevent discrimination. A complete strategy to prevent and address human rights issues should include:

• A barrier prevention, review and removal plan

• Anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies

• An education and training program

• An internal complaints procedure

• An accommodation policy and procedure

It is great that these suggestions are in place, but it is time for them to start being reinforced at the managerial level.

Build Black Canada honours Canadian Black elder trailblazers

over the years.

The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, the first Black female elected to the House of Commons, spoke about the importance of demonstrations and protests in the 1960s that helped the Black community. She noted that this was vital in the fight for social justice.

Gwyn Chapman hosted the Village and Vision event on Sunday, December 11th, 2022, that honoured several Black elder trailblazers. It was coordinated by Dominique Pinder at the historic First Baptist Church, and was sponsored by Tropicana Community Service and Kean Estate Group.

Gwyn introduced some of the members of the audience who were involved in doing remarkable things in the Black community. She asked each of the Black elders to share their individual story and noted that Dr Winston Larose could not attend.

Valarie Steele, activist and member of BADC shared stories about the importance of the Black community. She states, “I have been one of those in the community, who have been doing things for you.” She continues, “We paid attention to what was happening around us, because I can tell you, that everything that you hold dear would not be if we did not pay attention.”

Marjorie Taylor, a community volunteer with United Achievers in Brampton talked about the importance of volunteerism. She states, “I would like to see more volunteerism among our youths, because they should know that they are not only helping others but they gain something in return.”

Dr Maurice Bygrave, a Jamaicanborn dentist, and one of the founding members of Caribana spoke about how the Black community came together and organized the first Caribbean festival. Many individuals provided their own funds for this event.

Dr. Rita Cox, internationally renowned storyteller, community icon, and former librarian mentioned that she had a feeling of optimism for the community. She was thankful to the Toronto Public Library for the role it played in her success

Zanana Akande, the first Black female cabinet member in the NDP Government of Bob Rae spoke about her life in politics. She mentioned that she chose to focus on three issues that were important to her: education, equity, and geriatric care.

Bev Salmon, the first Black councillor in the City of Toronto spoke about her experience of racism as a child and adult. She talks about the role she played in the development of the African Heritage program. She states it seeks to foster, “A sense of belonging, and a sense of self-worth.” She noted that her passion was to get the curriculum integrated in order to reflect the experiences of Black people.

Bernice Carnegie, co-founder of the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation noted, “I stand on the shoulders of my father and mother.” She spoke about the values that her dad taught. She mentioned that she started a new organization the “Carnegie Institute for Acceptance and Inclusion in Hockey,” and they had their first meeting in Boston.

Justice Gregory Regis, former Judge of the Ontario Court of Justice, spoke about his life in St.Lucia. He came to Canada to study at Ryerson University and later returned to attend law school. He described his years of activism in the Jane and Finch community.

Angela Pierre, a member of the board of the FMC, talked about the importance of the Caribbean festival to the community. She mentioned the Building Black Entrepreneurs Program as a tool to build financial empowerment and business entrepreneurial skills

Ken Jeffers, founder of the Harriet Tubman Centre mentioned it is important to be a pro activist in order to prevent some of the problems from occurring. He recalled the impact of the African-centred program there, which had a success rate of 92%.

“We Are The World (Rep Your Country)”

Najjah Calibur achieves milestone by hosting FIFA World Cup

in the stadium, which is amazing to see, to performing the song in the stadium in the finals,” said Calibur.

SYDNEE WALCOTT

sydnee@carib101.com

REPORTER

The 2022 FIFA World Cup has achieved many milestones. The first was Qatar becoming the first Middle Eastern country to host the FIFA World Cup games. Some of the other milestones involved Canadian contributions to the games.

After a 36-year hiatus, the Canadian soccer team made its return to the FIFA World Cup. And on top of that, Canadian R&B/Pop artist and songwriter, Najjah Calibur hosted the soccer tournament.

Calibur also achieved another milestone during the event when his newly released single, We Are The World (Rep Your Country), became an anthem for this year’s FIFA World Cup. The single would receive praise from crowds, as it would play at each World Cup stadium for this year’s FIFA events.

For Calibur, having his song be one of many songs to be played at stadiums during the FIFA World Cup is a mindblowing experience.

When finding out he was given the offer to perform at the finals, Calibur said the news was unbelievable.

“It’s going from the song playing

The performance featured Will. I. Am as the headliner and Calibur doing his performance before the pre-match.

The inspiration for the song, We Are The World (Rep Your Country), came from Calibur’s love and pure joy for soccer. Calibur grew up playing soccer and went to Cleveland State University where he played in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 Soccer League.

“I get the best of both worlds. I get to entertain, watch, and be involved with my favourite sport,” said Calibur.

The song, We Are The World (Rep Your Country), is all about connecting with people and representing their country at the World Cup through joy and celebration. The song is also about the beauty of everyone uniting together from every country to enjoy the most popular sport around the world as one.

Calibur also touched on how some people take this game very seriously, like a religion. People have sold their houses so they can take part in the FIFA World Cup celebration, which happens every four years.

Coming from a Grenadian family, music has always been part of Calibur’s life. Every weekend his: parents, uncles, and aunts would have get-togethers filled with music. These get-togethers would be filled with positive energy, vibrations, and a euphoric feel as the family would have a good time with one another.

“It was just contagious to us,” said Calibur.

This led to Calibur and his little cousins creating dance routines they would perform in front of their parents when they were kids. From there, Calibur went on to create a rap group and joined a band that created music that was infused with: rock, reggae, blues, and funk before becoming a solo artist. “It all stemmed from the joy of music bringing my family together,” said Calibur.

Being part of the World Cup celebrations for Calibur is a great gateway for opportunities. Calibur is now looking into management and booking agencies so he can move forward more strategically.

“You will see me on TV one day, and you will hear me on the radio one day,” said Calibur, who is putting in the work to see his career continue to flourish even further in 2023.

TC

Photo Credit: Najjah Calibur - Facebook

China has opened police stations in the US and Canada to monitor Chinese citizens, or so Dem Seh!

carrying out policing operations on foreign soil.

MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

According to Spain-based human rights group Safeguard Defenders, the CCP aka China’s Communist Party has been operating police stations around the world in a big way and the US and Canada are alleged participants in this operation.

China has a total of 110 police stations worldwide including one in New York and three right here in Toronto. This report went on to explain that when confronted on this matter China responded that these outlets were not involved in actual police work, but assisting their citizens with things like obtaining driver’s licenses, etc.

Safeguard Defenders however reported that the purpose of these numerous police stations around the globe was to intimidate, harass and instil fear in the Chinese nationals whom they are monitoring.

The report went on to explain how these Chinese citizens living abroad are made to understand that if they do not return home to face consequences and charges that their families at home will.

Canada’s RCMP said it is investigating this matter and takes this kind of breach of sovereignty seriously, however, this leaves one to wonder how in God’s name another country can suddenly open not one, but three police stations in your country right under your nose, and now and only now you are investigating?

An earlier report by the same Safeguard Defenders, a human rights watchdog said, “These operations eschew official bilateral police and judicial cooperation and violate the international rule of law, and may violate the territorial integrity in third countries involved in setting up a parallel policing mechanism using illegal methods.”

The report was titled “110 Overseas: Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild,” this report revealed that it is China’s efforts to police its citizens living overseas that caused it to open several police stations on five continents that have assisted the Chinese government in

The report also states how China is trying to control fraud and telecommunication fraud by its citizens living abroad, and stated so far that 230,000 Chinese nationals were being “persuaded to return” to China ‘voluntarily’ ” over the last year to face criminal prosecution.

Here are some of the capitals of countries that have allowed China to operate these police stations on their soil: London, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Athens, Paris, Madrid, and Frankfurt, and there are 54 Chinese police stations in 30 different countries.

Here is an email quote from Canada’s RCMP, “The RCMP takes threats to the security of individuals living in Canada very seriously and is aware that foreign states may seek to intimidate or harm communities or individuals within Canada,”

The Chinese government, on the other hand, denies all allegations, Spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry Mao Ning said, their public security agencies strictly abide by international law and fully respect the judicial sovereignty of other countries.

It is important to note that the human rights group Safeguard Defenders said it identified the stations via open-source statements from People’s Republic of China authorities, including the country’s domestic stations.

As the rabbit hole gets deeper more shocking revelations are here.

A former spy revealed there are many Canadian politicians “at all levels” of government who are known to be in the pocketbooks of some foreign governments.

Recently Black Lock’s reporter Michel Juneau-Katsuya, who is a Former Chief of the Asia-Pacific desk at Canada’s spy agency, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, told the House of Commons ethics committee that they have had to monitor parliamentarians.

Here are the words of this investigative reporter concerning certain Canadian politicians.

“There are elected officials at all levels whether it’s: municipal, provincial or federal who are being paid by foreign governments and who are not necessarily acting in the interests of Canada.”

Canadians need to be aware of such corrupted individuals because even the scriptures tell us that no man can serve two masters at the same time.

Quality of life now depends on the colour of your skin and your postal code

cognizant of the trauma that we are dealing with in the African diaspora:

• Each day on average, 30 African Americans are killed by guns and more than 110 experience non-fatal injuries

• African Americans experience 10 times the gun homicides of White Americans

“It’s the mother’s cries I will never get out of my head. Two children, whose bodies had been so pulverized by the bullets fired at them, decapitated, whose flesh had been so ripped apart. The only clue to their identities was the blood spattered cartoon clothes still clinging to them, clinging for life and finding none.”

Surgeon Dr Guerrero gave this statement speaking on the horrors he witnessed in an emergency room, describing these disturbing, and graphic images.

I know that many of you might not want to hear about this topic at this time of year, because the holidays are supposed to be about joy and cheer, families and get-togethers, but what about those families who have a loved one missing. In some cases, there is more than one missing. Have you ever questioned what the holidays are like for them? How do they navigate the loss they feel when they look at an empty place setting once held by a loved one?

More than 2,500 children and teenagers in the U.S. have been either injured or killed by gunfire so far in 2022, according to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA).

An update was provided on the number of Americans impacted by gun violence ahead of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform assembly on the national gun violence crisis. The GVA said the numbers it shared on social media were updated as of June 7th, 2022.

Nearly 1,800 children and teens have been injured by gunfire since the start of 2022, and 717 children and teens have been killed by gunfire in that time, according to the GVA.

Africans living in the United States bear the brunt of the gun violence epidemic, and although this might be common knowledge, I want you to take a look at some statistics, and really become

• African Americans are nearly three times more likely to be shot and killed by police as White Americans

• African Americans experience 18 times the gun assault injuries of White Americans

• 68% of African Americans or someone they care for has experienced gun violence

Why? Why are we continuing to witness these numbers in our communities across North America? This disparity is the result of centuries of oppression and disinvestment. Gun homicides, assaults, and police shootings all occur at a disproportionate rate in historically underfunded communities. It can be said that this underfunding is the result of past racist policymaking and perpetuates long-standing racial inequities.

Disproportionate rates of gun violence have also been exploited by gun lobbyist who have pushed dangerous myths to spread fear and to advance a pro-gun agenda rather than invest in proven solutions like community violence intervention and victim support.

What brought the seriousness of this topic to my awareness was a post that I saw on the Zero Gun Violence Movement Instagram page. We hear, and see the violence in America, and what we don’t realize is that this has slowly begun to leak across the border.

On May 17th, 2022, the Angus Reid Institute polled about 5,000 Canadians and found that overall 43% believed gun violence is increasing in the areas that they live. 51% said gun violence is the same, while 6% believed it was decreasing.

Overall, three-in-five (60%) say gun violence was rising in their province, with Quebecers (75%) and Ontarians (66%) perceiving this to be the case.

Further, two-in-five (43%) said that gun violence had increased in their communities. Those in urban areas were

considerably more likely to say this (46%) when compared with Canadians living in rural parts of the country (29%). Residents in Montreal (65%), Halifax (56%), and Toronto (54% in 416 area code, 57% in 905 area code) were most likely to note that their communities had become more violent. Official data from Statistics Canada confirmed that firearm offences have, indeed, become more common over the past decade.

I had a chance to speak with Uncle Louis, the founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement. He has been a community worker and advocate in the African Canadian community for over 30 years. His work has primarily focused on youth engagement and mentorship initiatives, and has been a part of successfully collaborating with over 40 different community organizations, agencies and programs across the city of Toronto.

The movement focuses on:

Education and Awareness - They provide youth with resources, support and information to help end gun violence within their community.

Advocacy - By providing youth and community leaders with the skills to: mobilize and encourage others to take action and create safe and healthy communities.

Engagement - By working with community members and organizations to help them develop the skills and tools to help reduce gun violence.

When I saw some of the most recent numbers, I had to reach out to Uncle Louis to find out exactly what he was witnessing. Why such a steep upward slope?

“These numbers are not a surprise for me,” Uncle Louis began. “For the last nine years, these numbers have been trending up. I have been appealing to the Black organization to take this topic on, but it was not part of their mandates. If it does not affect certain people, they do not care.

We finally got the JCA, and the Black Alliance to take this topic on last year. We need more community organizations to take this on seriously. These young people were not born with guns in their hands, and we as the village have to

find ways to work with our young people, because unfortunately, our government continues to drop the ball.

Ford took 25 million dollars away from youth programming and gave the money to the police. He believed in more boots on the ground, and the police spoke out and said we need the community to partner with us.

Uncle Louis shared with me just how impactful this move by the government was.

“A young person who is currently on house arrest spoke to me and told me that if there were programs catering to young people, he probably would not have gotten himself in trouble.

Something that I noticed was the numbers started increasing when John Tory became the Mayor of Toronto. He kept saying it was a policing problem, even though the police were telling him that it is more than a policing issue. There is most definitely a correlation between the rise and violence and when Mayor Tory took power. The city of Toronto has been given money, but the money that has been delegated to community initiatives has decreased. You can see where their priorities are.

It was only when their safe zones had been breached, that they were taking notice. As long as it is in certain areas, they can’t be bothered.

Gun violence has become normalized in many communities. It has become tolerated. Toronto has become a city of cities. Quality of life depends on the colour of your skin and your postal code.

Our community needs to step up and start protecting our young people. In certain neighbourhoods in the city, people are running inside; there is no vibrancy, no energy, and no positive vibes. At sunset in certain areas things just shut down.

Gun violence does not happen in a vacuum, there is certain condition that breeds it. This time of the year is horrific for families who have lost their children to gun violence, and who are doing anything about it.

We have to shift back to what makes us who we are. It is about caring, and supporting families who live in the areas. It is time to return the mind-set of, it takes a village!”

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Anxiety, panic attacks, intrusive flashbacks, nightmares, mood swings, insomnia, reduced ability to cope, shame and lack of self worth, avoidance behaviour, spaced out feelings, addictive behaviours, exaggerated or diminished sexual activity, inability to love or bond with another, chronic fatigue, immune system problems, skin disorders, fibromyalgia, depression…

Do any of these situations or feelings resonate with you?

When we hear the word “trauma,” many people immediately think of abuse, neglect, assault, or some major tragedy, but trauma can be chronic and just as dangerous to your well-being. Imagine becoming tense as a police car slowly drives by, or maybe you are not receiving the help

you need in class because you’ve been deemed trouble from the beginning. How about being in a toxic relationship that you return to night after night, or working in an environment where you experience microaggression on a daily basis? You might not see these as being traumatic situations, but over time, situations like this can take a toll on your mental health.

There are certain emotional reactions that have been set in place by our mind to help us cope with the reality of a sudden, or stressful situation: fear keeps us away from danger, anger helps us fight back against an attacker. It is quite normal to experience these types of feelings and situations occasionally, but they can cause problems if they last for a long time, or become too intense. This is where mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety can arise.

Mental health challenges are common consequences of trauma that affect people’s lives every day, and they can have negative effects on our physical health if we don’t get the support we need or see them for what they are.

Exposure to trauma can be life changing, and researchers are learning more about how traumatic events may ac-

tually physically change our brains. These changes are not happening because of a physical injury; rather our brains rewire after these experiences.

It is important to understand the mechanisms involved in these changes and how the brain learns about an environment and predicts threats and safety. This is a focus of the ZVR Lab at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester, led by assistant professor Benjamin Suarez- Jimenez, Ph.D.

His research, recently published in Communications Biology, identified changes in the part of the brain used for learning and survival in people exposed to trauma.

He found that just the possibility of threat could change how someone exposed to trauma reacts. Suarez-Jimenez, his fellow co-authors, and senior author Neria found patients with PTSD could complete the same task as someone without exposure to trauma when no emotion is involved. However, when emotion invoked by a threat was added to a similar task, those with PTSD had more difficulty distinguishing between the differences.

His team observed that people with PTSD had less signalling between

the hippocampus (an area of the brain responsible for emotion and memory), and the salience network (a mechanism used for learning and survival). They also detected less signalling between the amygdala (another area linked to emotion) and the default mode network (an area of the brain that activates when someone is not focused on the outside world).

“This tells us that patients with PTSD have issues discriminating only when there is an emotional component. In this case, aversive; we still need to confirm if this is true for other emotions like sadness, disgust, happiness, etc.,” said SuarezJimenez. “So, it might be that in the realworld, emotions overload their cognitive ability to discriminate between safety, danger, or reward. It overgeneralizes towards danger.”

Examples of trauma are endless, and for People of Color — particularly Black people — the experience is almost definite and compounded. Don’t discredit what you are experiencing, seek the help you need, don’t be ashamed of what you feel, and understand that at the end of the day, you are only human; it is okay not to be okay.

It has been over two years now since the Toronto City Council passed two separate motions on September 20th, 2020, to ensure that economic policies were in place to help businesses in Little Jamaica: thrive, survive, and to develop its cultural distinctiveness.

It is vital that all stakeholders come together to reflect and act to maintain this history.

Many of the businesses along the Eglinton West corridor such as: barber shops, restaurants, music stores, recording studios,

and financial institutions have been impacted by the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and the COVID pandemic.

Jay Pitter, a place maker has been hired as a City of Toronto’s consultant to lead the development of the city’s firstever formal cultural and planning process. In order to obtain feedback from diverse community partners, several community engagement sessions were held to elicit active and viable feedback.

Jay Pitter has been working with a team that includes city staff to finalize the Little Jamaica Cultural District plan through feedback from diverse stakeholders. Public notices have been mailed to community stakeholders and hand-delivered to business owners in an attempt to connect with them. There is hope that this plan will outline a collective vision related to the design and provision of: places, spaces, and policies to guide the area’s future growth. As the first community to be part of this cultural district process, there is a need for widespread community in-

sights and diverse participation.

On Wednesday, December 7th, 2022, there was an open house at Oakwood Village Library Auditorium at 341 Oakwood Avenue, and on Thursday, December 8th, 2022, another one was at Maria A. Schuka Library meeting room at 1745 Eglinton Avenue West. Prior to the open house, there was a youth design charrette that involved collaboration between the U of T’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. There were contributions from 60 youths who presented ideas about the importance of youth-centered spaces that will be included in the Little Jamaica Cultural District Plan.

Jay shared “Our priorities included the need for: flexible, quiet, loud, playful, socially responsive, cross-cultural and sustainable community spaces co-created with youth in mind.”

In addition, there were two virtual meetings: one was on acknowledging Indigenity that highlighted the indigenity

within the community while providing insight into respectful and meaningful approaches for intentional integration.

The second one focused on a Phase 1 Presentation & Shared Prosperity Panel. It provided a brief summary of background research and engagement activities conducted to date and their outcomes, and explored: culturally responsive approaches to fostering a wide array of local businesses, the role of businesses in fostering community cohesion, and strategies for strengthening the local economy overall.

On Saturday, December 10th, there was a Gender-Responsive Mapping workshop between 11:00 am-12:30 pm, and a 2SLGBTQ+ place making presentation and workshop between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm at the Maria Schuka library.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Little Jamaica Cultural District Plan check www.toronto.ca

At the end of the day, you are only human; it is okay not to be okay! Researchers reveal how trauma changes the brain

City of Toronto invites Little Jamaica Community to provide feedback on its Cultural District Plan

PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“Deepening Engagement Impetus with all our Partners,” Honourable Leslie Campbell meets with the Jamaican Diaspora Community

3. The promotion of its interests overseas

PAUL JUNOR

Ever since he took over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in 2020 Honourable Leslie Campbell has been very busy fulfilling the mission of MFAFT.

MFAFT is the ministry responsible for handling Jamaica’s external relations and foreign trade. There are three specific areas that the Ministry is responsible for:

1. The implementation of Jamaica’s foreign policy

2. The management of Jamaica’s international relations

The Director of MFAFT is Senator Kamina Johnson Smith who serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Honourable Leslie Campbell is the state minister.

According to the website: jis. gov.jm, “The Ministry is committed to promoting friendship and cooperation between Jamaica and other countries around the world, through political and diplomatic channels; providing effective representation of the Government of Jamaica overseas through resident diplomatic missions and consular posts and creating opportunities for foreign trade, investment, and tourism.”

I interviewed the Honourable Leslie Campbell on Friday, December 9th, 2022, at the Consulate General of Jamaica which is located on Eglinton Avenue in Toronto. My interview covered a wide range of topics including: crime, health-

care, education, technology, and education. It was on June 22nd, 2020, that the British-trained barrister and attorney at law, who happens to also be an MP for St. Catherine North Eastern was appointed as Minister without portfolio. The Minster has been very busy in his role attending to a diverse range of: international, local, and regional meetings to explore trading relationships with other countries.

Minister Campbell believes in the importance of data as a driving force in implementing changes in the agricultural sector. He reiterates that a datadriven solution is the way to ensure that practical strategies are implemented. He told me that in the 2030 Vision Plan for Jamaica, there is an anticipated goal of reducing its dependence on fossil fuels between 60-70%. There is much optimism and hope as he looks ahead to 2023.

One of the initiatives that Honourable Campbell has been involved in was the 9th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora

Conference, which was held on June 14th-16th, 2022. In his Jamaica 60 Diaspora Independence Day message he highlighted the importance of digital transformation in the new era. He states, “The focus on digital transformation and innovation ought to capitalize on the engagement opportunities offered by new and emerging technologies, and the cultural affinity of the Diaspora to Jamaica, as we strive to deepen our engagement impetus with all our partners. We encourage you to join the digital transformation effort which will greatly enhance the efficiency of our engagement strategies.”

The Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) established in January 2020 succeeds the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board (DAB) and has adopted the National Diaspora Policy. The MFAFT seeks to ensure that the goals, pillars, and focus areas of the policy are a priority.

Anyone interested in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade can check www.mfaft.gov.jm

Certain type of stroke on the rise, with higher rates among African Caribbean people

are on the rise, with higher rates within the African Caribbean community, most notably a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

A subarachnoid hemorrhage is when bleeding occurs, usually from a burst blood vessel, in the space between the brain and the membrane that covers it. A rupture of an aneurysm, high blood pressure or trauma can cause this type of stroke. In the study, researchers looked only at those not caused by trauma.

creased in African Caribbean people by 1.8% per year while rates for Hispanic, Asian and non-Hispanic White people did not change over time.

Rum cake, minced pies, stuffed turkey, eggnog flavoured baked goods, jerk chicken, oxtail, curry goat, curry chicken, glazed ham… OMG!

Just thinking about all this food is making me want to push the days forward. Can’t it be Christmas time already?

For many people the Christmas period is a time of overindulgence when it comes to FOOD! While there is nothing wrong with the occasional tasty treat, too much of certain foods and drinks can have a lasting effect on our bodies.

A recent study conducted by Fadar Oliver Otite, M.D., Sc.M., of the SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y found that certain types of strokes

“Subarachnoid hemorrhages unrelated to trauma account for 5% to 10% of all strokes are often deadly,” said study author Fadar Oliver Otite, “Not only did we find an increase in these strokes over recent years, but we also found the incidence was disproportionately higher and increasing in the African Caribbean community while rates did not increase in people of other races and ethnicities.”

When looking at race and ethnicity, researchers found incidence was greater in African Caribbean people with an average of 15 cases per 100,000 people compared to non-Hispanic White people with an average of 10 cases.

They noted that incidence in-

“This is leading to a widening of the racial incidence gap,” said Otite. “Previous studies have found African Caribbean people develop high blood pressure younger and are more likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure than non-Hispanic white people, so expanding efforts to control blood pressure may help reduce rates.

The causes also likely extend to socioeconomic factors including structural racism. Tackling racial disparities will require multifaceted interventions targeted at stroke risk factors and socioeconomic inequity.”

One limitation of the study was researchers were unable to differentiate between strokes caused by aneurysms and those not caused by aneurysms, which would have provided further insight.

Eating the right kinds of foods and avoiding the wrong kinds can help lower your risk of having an aneurysm.

Nutritious foods help keep your blood vessels healthy, while unhealthy foods can have a negative impact on them. For example, some foods can raise your blood pressure, which puts added stress on unhealthy blood vessels.

That’s right! You might have to cut out the below foods if high blood pressure and strokes run in your family:

• Fatty meats, such as red meat

• Fried foods

• Refined, white carbohydrates

• Sugary drinks, such as soda

• Fatty oils, such as margarine and butter

• Processed, packaged foods

• High cholesterol foods

• Full-fat dairy products

So, it is time to start choosing healthier food options for your diet, such as: whole grains and other complex carbs, healthy oils, low-fat dairy products, and turkey or other lean cuts of meat. You should also eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits as part of your regular diet

SIMONE SMITH

This article I am dedicating to my religious leaders. I am dedicating it to my religious leaders because it is time to take a stand. The world has become a stage show for the ushering of something very dark, and sinister. It began with the introduction of the global vaccine movement, and it has now crept into the sphere of our religious convictions.

From November 6th to the 18th, 2022, world leaders gathered for the United Nations COP27 Climate Change Summit in Sharm El Sheikh. Representatives of major Christian and Islamic denominations joined forces to unveil what they hoped would be the new and improved moral code of the future.

The Secretary-General has said COP27 must deliver a “Down-payment” on climate solutions that match the scale of the problem,” and asked, “Will leaders deliver?”

COP27 includes technical discussions to specify the way in which nations should practically measure their emissions so there’s a level playing field for everyone. They had some key discussion points:

• Mitigation: How are countries reducing their emissions?

• Adaptation: How are countries going to adapt and help others do the same?

• Climate Finance: The elephant that never leaves the negotiation room

• What is this loss and damage issue we hear so much about?

• How is the war in Ukraine affecting all of this?

• Will civil society participate at COP, or just delegates

Then, there was one more item; after worldwide criticism, it was reported that they ushered in the new Ten Commandments, which were reframed as “Ten Principles of Climate Repentance.”

I know right now you might be asking what the heck I am talking about, so let me share a little bit more.

The Elijah Interfaith Institute developed these principles during COP27; they were adapted by Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, and read on Skirrid Fawr (Ysgyryd Fawr) – The Holy Mountain. It was called “The return to Mount Sinai –a Prophetic Call for Climate Justice and Ceremony of Repentance.”

The 10 Spiritual Principles for Climate Repentance prompts religious leaders to call for a re-examination of deep-seated attitudes and identifying ways to transform people’s attitudes toward the well-being of Earth, mankind’s common home. The claim that the ecological crisis is now a spiritual crisis, and we need to consider how we deal with the on-going destruction of Planet Earth, our home. They presented the question, “When will religion – the sleeping giant –wake up to address the ecological crisis?”

According to the over 40 religious leaders who attended the conference, there is the urgent work of addressing the practical challenges of climate change and for negotiating between nations, in an attempt to help humanity resolve the climate crisis.

As religious leaders they were offering their voices as a contribution to the gathered leaders and to humanity. It was to be a voice of hope and unity, grounded in a spiritual vision. They wanted to confront the destructive habits, which continue to limit the possibilities and the hopes of human beings, in a call for wake up, and self-examination.

With the following ten principles they are seeking to initiate a process of climate repentance, broader understanding, and effective action. Many practical consequences can be derived from the vision set forth here, as well as from the individual principles they offer.

Their call is a call to action; and a call to return to a correct vision of the creation, the creator, and the harmonious relationship of humanity with creation.

Below are the amended commandments:

Commandment One

Creation is not our possession. Humanity takes its rightful place as partner and co-creator

Commandment Two

We must treat all of life with reverence.

Creation is not simply external to God. It is, in significant ways, permeated by God’s presence and being, manifesting the divine agency and reality.

Commandment Three

We must care for each other and the planet.

All are part of a greater whole wherein each element both receives and gives influence, impact, love, and growth.

Commandment Four

We recognize that we are responsible for the wellbeing of all life today, as well as for future generations. This finds two prominent expressions: a. Commitment to not harm creation, and the responsibility to protect it. b. Commitment to serve, advance, and aid in the growth and evolution of all parts of creation.

Commandment Five

A disciplined spiritual life is helpful in overcoming the challenges of climate change.

The soul, or the higher aspects of the human person, has the capacity to realize

the fuller vision of humanity’s role in the broader scheme of the meaning of life and creation.

Commandment Six

Use thought, speech and action only for the good.

There is an inherent relationship between the human person (within) and nature and objective reality (without).

Commandment Seven

The human person is benefitted by the on-going effort to purify, raise, and transform himself, in view of a higher vision.

Based on this understanding of the human person and his/her role in creation, the processes of growth, transformation, return and repentance are fundamental to human existence.

Commandment Eight

Act knowing that every action counts. There are reactions when we harm the earth and others. Actions have consequences and no action can be ignored. The weight of our actions and their short and long term consequences lead us to find ways of mitigating harmful actions and to work for the good.

Commandment Nine

Take seriously the lessons and observations that humanity has reached by application of its mind in scientific study and through common reason.

Commandment Ten

Be sensitive to the intolerable insecurities and injustices in which so many of our fellow-humans live.

Compassion means suffering with others—to feel the pain of the earth, of the poor, and of those who suffer the consequences of climate change. Opening our hearts to their pain will lead us to change.

So what are your thoughts community? Does this sit right with you? I would love to hear your thoughts, speculations, challenges or opinions on this issue.

rier solutions is ideal for visitors to and residents of the twin-island republic.

DeliverME TT was founded in August 2019 by Idamarie Thomas who serves as Chief Problem-Solver. Thomas’s background in: Project Management, Human Resource Management, and Customer Service/Service Delivery Management is a good basis for the service she delivers. The brand’s elevated level of customer care makes it unique and special to members of the diaspora who will be visiting Trinidad and Tobago during Christmas and Carnival. The signature high standard of tech driven taxi services and cou-

The app has been able to provide a strong, competitive platform to enrich full-time and part-time drivers economically and ensure that commuters are able to access a safe, dependable, and reliable service. The app is available in both English and Spanish with an emphasis on safety and timeliness. It is ideal for commuters who want to track their real-time presence with loved ones, family members and friends. In addition, there are features such as built-in interactive chat support that can be used for ondemand and pre-booking services from a team that consists of: police-certified, experienced, and professional drivers.

Since its inception, DeliverMe TT has been used to schedule rides for: meetings, appointments, shopping, airport pickups drop-offs, and parties. Senior citizens have been able to rely on the app to obtain groceries and partygoers

to enjoy fetes without having to worry about their personal safety and security during the night.

I interviewed Idamarie Thomas, Managing Director at DeliverMe TT, and she told me that she is the first Black female-owned techno app in Trinidad and Tobago. She mentioned that there are many benefits to using the Deliver Me TT app, especially for visitors. As soon as they arrive on the island, they can download the app. They can pay either by credit card or cash for the service. Positive features of the app include sending images of the vehicles, phone numbers, license plates, and details of the cars. The drivers work as independent contractors and for many, it’s a second source of income. Thus, it provides a viable employment option.

Ms.Thomas shared with me that her 27 years of experience in the service industry gives her a thorough understanding of many aspects of the human

resource side of the business. She has a great team of committed, dedicated and excellent members who know that she is driven to ensure that her customers are treated with excellence.

Currently, the DeliverMe TT app has a subscriber base of more than 20,000 riders. The business is based in Diego Martin and Ms Thomas mentioned that once the app is downloaded, customers can pay using either their debit, credit cards, or cash. She states that she anticipates that it will be a busy time for the company as the Christmas season approaches and Carnival is just around the corner. There is excitement as she looks forward to the continued success of her transportation services.

Anyone interested in learning about DeliverMe TT’s services can contact (P) b868-683-RIDE (7433) or online at www.delivermett.com

For false Christ’s and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. ~ Matthew 24:24

British Columbia Bill C-36 lays the groundwork for mass exodus of qualified healthcare professionals

SIMONE SMITH

simone@carib101.com

a healthcare professional gives misinformation to a patient such as ‘speaking against the vaccines,’ this Bill now implements a duty to report that healthcare professional as a risk to the public.”

Adrian Dix (British Columbia Health Official)

As I have evolved as a journalist, I now hold myself, and the journalists that I work with to a certain code of ethics, because we make very important decisions when reporting news to the world. It requires a great civic duty and a devotion to truth, and the Caribbean community depends on us to report the fair truth and to maintain an unbiased opinion. We are the watchdogs of society, and we provide our community with the information necessary to form their own opinions.

There is a lot that happens behind the scenes that get very little media attention if any, and I always wonder why. Decisions made by our world governments

affect us in detrimental ways, yet we the public know little about them, and are then forced to abide by these rules without having information to substantiate the reasons for having to abide by these rules.

This week I want to present to the community the highly controversial Bill 36, also known as Health Professions and Occupations Act. If it is passed, it will replace the current Health Professions Act.

British Columbia’s new unelected Premier David Eby and Health Official Adrian Dix are focused on pushing through new legislation, which will bring radical sweeping changes impacting 100,000 of the province’s regulated healthcare workers, and the way their licenses to practice are managed and governed.

Bill 36 will give the BC Minister of Health the ability to appoint College Boards, who are then required to pass bylaws mandating vaccines, and other medical procedures for any illness the government chooses as a condition of license. This has the potential to create an environment of censorship where if you challenge the government’s position on anything you will face discipline and potentially lose your license.

BC Health Minister Adrian Dix claims the new measures would improve patient safety and strengthen jurisdiction over the different regulatory colleges.

Now, I am curious about how misinformation is determined, especially

when the information that is deemed, “scientifically sound,” pushes an inoculation that has proved to be highly dangerous and has taken millions of lives all over the world. There are a few doctors who have been ostracized and ridiculed for speaking against the inoculation, and Bill 36 seems to be the solution to silence those doctors who have discovered other ways to strengthen the natural immune system.

Although a Bill like this has not been passed in Ontario, as of yet, doctors are already being punished and silenced for speaking out against the narrative that has been scripted by the Ontario government.

One doctor that comes to mind is Ontario doctor Kulvinder Kaur Gill. In August of 2022 fellow physicians and others criticized her after a series of tweets that they say spread misinformation about COVID-19.

CBC reported on two email complaints about Gill’s tweets, including one by a family doctor to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, which sets regulatory standards for doctors in the province.

One of her tweets, from August 6th, 2022 stated: “#Humanity’s existing effective defences against #COVID19 to safely return to normal life now includes: -Truth, -T-cell Immunity, -Hydroxychloroquine.”

Another of Gill’s tweets on the

same day stated, “There is absolutely no medical or scientific reason for this prolonged, harmful, and illogical lockdown.”

Then there was Dr Simone Gold, who brought up the fact that there might be financial incentive to discredit hydroxychloroquine as a treatment. Both Dr Kulvinder and Dr Simone’s tweets were taken down for violating Twitter rules.

What is interesting here is that there are scientific studies, as well as actual case studies that support the use of Hydroxychloroquine. (Readers if you are interested in reading those, please feel free to reach out to me at simone@carib101. com)

We need to look at the fact that governance is best handled by those with expertise in the areas, those who provide the health solutions directly, not bureaucrats who will act in the best interests of themselves, not the public or professionals. This pandemic has proven that politicians have the power to systematically cripple healthcare under their governance, and if this bill passes, British Columbia will lose more highly skilled and specialized healthcare professionals to other provinces and countries.

The last two years have left society in a highly reactive state. It is time to slow down and be cautious about what we do next, for those in governance and as a society at large.

PAUL JUNOR

On Saturday, October 29th, 2022, the Back Legal Action Centre sent a letter to the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship regarding, “Our System, Our Children, Our Responsibility: A Campaign against the Deportation of Child Welfare Survivors.”

This letter was penned as a response to the OCASI 2022 Leader’s Forum on October 27th, 2022. BLAC steered a coalition which aspires to end the deportations of child welfare survivors and to address the related immigration issues. The letter can be seen at: https://www/blacklegalactioncentre.ca.

The letter states that there are a number of cases in which people:

• Came to Canada as children

• Were placed in the care of a child welfare agency, foster family, or in kinship care

• Were caught up in what is referred as the child welfare-to-prison pipeline

• Are now at risk of being deported because they have been deemed inadmissible due to criminality

The letter continues, “While they were in the child welfare system (i.e. in the care of the State), the State had an obligation to obtain citizenship for them. Now, because of the state’s failure, people are at risk of being deported from the only country they have ever really known. This is a grave injustice, an injustice that you can help address by creating a Public Policy under s.25 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.”

BLAC released a draft public policy in which it calls on the government to:

• Suspend the enforcement of removal orders against foreign nationals (e.g., people without immigration status, or people who have only temporary immigration status) who came to Canada as children and spent any period of their childhood in a child welfare

agency or foster family, or in kinship care.

• Provide an expedited pathway to permanent resident status through a public policy under s. 25 of the IRPA for any former permanent resident in Canada who came to Canada as a child, and spent any period of their childhood in a child welfare agency, foster family, or in kinship care

• Grant an expedited Temporary Resident Permit and accompany work or study permit, and waive any associated fees for any former permanent resident in Canada who came to Canada as a child, and spent any period of their childhood in a child welfare agency, with a foster family, or in kinship care, where permanent resident status cannot immediately be granted

BLAC is calling upon individuals to send a letter to your MP and to Minister Fraser. The letter states, “There are child welfare survivors who face deportations as I write this letter to you. They are people who were raised in our child welfare systems, yet the State did not apply for Canadian citizenship for them and they are now vulnerable to deportation. There are children in the system now who need citizenship so they don’t face deportation in the future.”

The campaign calls on government to do three things:

1. Halt all the deportations of child welfare survivors currently facing removal orders

2. Provide clear, accessible and quick pathway to permanent resident status for any/all child welfare survivors

3. Develop a clear and accessible pathway to citizenship for all child welfare survivors

The letter concludes, “Canada should not deport people who do not have immigration status because of the failures of the State. Many of these people shouldn’t have been involved in the child welfare system in the first place. Canada failed in its responsibility to provide for these children like their parents would have. The people facing deportations should not have to pay for these failures. It is our collective responsibility to take care of the people caught up in the oppression of the child welfare and immigration systems. It is my hope that you will take on your responsibility with respect to this issue.”

“Canada should not deport people who do not have immigration status because of the failures of the state.”

“If

STEVEN KASZAB

TC REPORTER

rabies killed 55,000 people.

America has a numbered system typically showing the disease and number of citizens killed. Monkeypox has been identified over 14,000 times, while polio has returned. Even China, with its massive healthcare response system has to deal with cases of Langya henipavirus, a RNA Virus that spreads through the animal population. We interact, raise and eat animals, often being infected with that same virus. What we know as ordinary influenza is a massive scourge to the global population, striking in mass events throughout the world, killing as many as a million people at one outbreak.

Science has not found a cure for this menace, but there are protocols available to assist you from acquiring it, or at least fighting it off should you contract it. We often think that healthy people should not be as susceptible to illnesses like influenza. Our parents told us “A healthy body and mind is all you need.”

Many doctors also believed this to be true. Eat well, receive all your needed nutrients, and exercise too. Questions have

risen however practically dispelling this accepted myth.

• What is the true definition of a nutritious meal?

• Each of us is different; our bodies metabolize differently and have different needs. Can science find a universally acceptable plan of nutrition?

• Do supplements and vitamin regimes have a place within this search for wholeness?

Selenium has a certain importance within the scientific community. A unique amino acid, the rate limiting component for biosynthesis of seleno-proteins important for: anti-oxidant, immune, coagulation and genetic functions for humans, and also very important to viruses. If adequate seleno-proteins are present viral genomes can stabilize, minimizing pathogenic mutations. In low selenium environments benign viruses can mutate into pathogenic strains, which can make even healthy people ill.

Vitamin C and D are essential ele -

ments within a person’s health regime. What makes these most effective are the size of the dose and the frequency of its administration. A doctor’s recommendation is called for here. Over or under dosing with these or other supplements can be dangerous. “Doctor, doctor, give me the news, which should I take or use?”

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) have been associated with faster healing of peptic ulcers and decreased death rates from stomach bleeds. This alternative tool has its side effects however, acting as a substitute for the body’s immune systems ability to heal. The immune system is responsible for the body’s functions, food digestion and cell creation. Tools like PPI can alter functions, have the body release unwanted enzymes, halt or change the creation of killer T Cells, and possibly have the body stop absorbing needed items such as magnesium.

Through further studies, we can investigate which supplements and natural foods are best fitted to our health regime. As always, ask your doctor for advice.

TC REPORTER

When I arrived at Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre at York University, I was unsure of what to expect. I am almost embarrassed to say that it was my first time attending a ballet performance and as it turns out, the world of dance is not all that different from the literature world.

Ballet focuses on the beauty of form, and the striking, visual impact of an entirely in-sync corps (aka the chorus) of dancers. No, it doesn’t have a plot, like you would find in a movie or a good book, but it moves through a range of shorter, self-contained pieces, that has variation for the easily distracted.

It was dark, but the first dancer I saw was David Cox. Brush, flap, shuffle, and ball change…

What captivated me instantly was his ability to produce clean tap sounds with

each step. Unlike most dances that are set to music, David was creating sounds with his dancing, and he was damn good at it.

I could only take short glances, because it was dark, and I didn’t want to trip and bust my face, but when I finally found my seat, I was able to take in the glory that was “Handel Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.”

In 1990, Patrick Parson conceived the idea of a professional dance company, which would present contemporary dance rooted in the rich Creole movement traditions of his native country, Trinidad & Tobago. At that time, cultural dance forms in Canada were confined to community settings, and the success of Ballet Creole led the way for many other diverse dance companies, which followed.

One of Canada’s first Black dance companies, Ballet Creole is a charitable organization representing the best of traditional and contemporary dance rooted in African and Caribbean forms. From performance to professional training to Summer camps, one can immerse themselves in “creolization” –celebrating the rich heritage of African and Caribbean cultures as they interface with European traditions. Ballet Creole represents Diversity in Harmony both on stage and in the community.

What I learned as I watched the in -

credible talent on the stage is that dance is not just a physical phenomenon, it’s a social, cultural, and historical product. The dancers created a kaleidoscopic whirl of movement, counterbalancing and cantilevering each other. It was breathtakingly beautiful and reckless at the same time.

The company of dancers that creatively captivated their audiences were: Yuhala Muy Garcia, Alistair Graphine, Shavaun Brown, Kirk Easy, Chelicia Creary, Taelor Coleman, Sonya Singh, Martina Levi, and guest tap dancer David Cox.

The show was dynamic while simultaneously subtle, and focused on conveying feelings and emotions through movement. The result was a sensory feast of sights and sounds that offered an undeniably thrilling experience.

Graceful, mesmerizing, synchronized, expressive, heart-touching, creative, exemplary, beautiful, alluring and flawless. The team at Ballet Creole have forged a new language in the dance world, a blend of the old and new world, and a “creolization” or melding of diverse dance and music traditions; never static, always evolving and forever inspiring audiences.

Artistic Director Patrick Parson shared his thoughts about the past 20 years of “Soulful Messiah,”

“I feel proud of what Ballet Creole has accomplished. One of my greatest achievements is the creation, growth, and continuance of this annual holiday tradition.”

It was one of Patrick’s colleagues who introduced him to Handel’s Messiah arranged by Quincy Jones entitled, “Handel Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.” From this compilation, he was inspired to create a holiday celebration for all people, from all backgrounds to rejoice in spiritual revelations and explore the power of human emotions that unify us all.

“I started this ballet with only four songs,” Patrick shares. “It was but a segment in Ballet Creole’s Winter Dance production. Now, 20 years later, the ballet has grown to a full-length production with almost an entire soundtrack.”

The arts are an underrepresented and underfunded area and many aspiring students and organizations rely on grants to keep pursuing their dream.

“Handel Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.” is just a steppingstone into how widely accepted and successful the arts can be in Toronto, Ontario. Whatever the future brings, the Ballet Creole community has the ability to show just how far inclusivity, innovation, and perseverance can take them.

Do supplements and vitamin regimes have a place within this search for health and wellness?

A little over two years ago when enlightened folks warned that the central banks, big pharma, and those who think that they are superior to us were planning our demise financially and literally, some of us laughed and called those folks mad. Well, the results are in, and it isn’t pretty.

Britain’s new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that he is in the process of rolling out what he called, “A set of public policy principles for retail CBDC aka Central Bank Digital Currencies.”

Sunak started by saying that CBDCs can be used alongside physical notes and coins, but unlike most of the physical money used today, CBDCs would be solely

issued by the Central bank based in the UK. He concluded by reinforcing the fact that almost all governments are in the bag, or on board and getting ready to do so.

By now, those of us who are familiar with the tricks of the WEF run system have a clear picture as to how the banks will try to ease this CBDC system on humanity.

Remember Sunak said it can be used alongside real money; here is one way they might try to get this across to the masses. Let’s say you wanted to buy a pair of shoes that cost $300; you might be told by participating stores that you are allowed to pay half in cash and half in CBDCs, similar to “no mask no entry.”

It is becoming clearer each passing day that most governments on the planet are on a collision course to drive their citizens off a cliff, from orchestrated job loss as we see here in Canada, where qualified nurses who refused the experimental injection were fired, to farmers who are being forced to abandon their farms all in the name of the climate change hoax, what’s next?

A universal Basic Income tied to a Social Credit Score.

What does this mean? According to Klaus Schwab of The World Economic Forum WEF, it means, “You will own nothing, and you’ll be happy,” or putting the earth’s inhabitants on permanent welfare, only this time with prison style regulations attached.

Let’s have a look at how these very intelligent people plan to sell us this plantation scheme.

According to a respected news source, the vendors of this plan are international and politically diverse. They range from radical leftists of the post-capitalist variety like Paul Mason and Aaron Bastani, to Silicon Valley gurus like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, not to mention the political puppets that attended the WEF Young Global Leaders classes. They are all competing for space in our minds, and if we let them, they will walk us right into slavery.

Imagine as far back as April 2020, Pope Francis already had this universal income plan mapped out. In an Easter letter to members of various social movements,

What A Dog’s Nose Knows

The powerful sniffers of dogs have long been effective in detecting cancer. A report years ago in the British Journal Lancet reported that a woman’s dog repeatedly sniffed at one mole on her thigh but ignored others. When wearing shorts, her dog had tried to bite off the mole! She presented the issue to her doctor. The diagnosis was a malignant melanoma.

cinating experiment. She set out to learn if your dog, or in fact anyone’s dog, could smell your level of stress.

he made his move.

“I know that you have been excluded from the benefits of globalization,” Francis wrote on. “You do not enjoy the superficial pleasures that anesthetize so many consciences, yet you always suffer from the harm they produce. The ills that afflict everyone hit you twice as hard.”

Pointing to: “street vendors, recyclers, carnies, small farmers, construction workers, dressmakers, the different kinds of caregivers who have no steady income,” Pope Francis said that a universal basic income should be considered.

As the brew gets thicker the plan becomes clearer; if the masses allow these shysters to con them into accepting a universal income, the freedom party is OVER.

Why did governments order all small businesses closed? Did you think the answer was a genuine pandemic?

There are yeasayers and naysayers on both sides of this issue, but here is a tip from the old folks; there are no free lunches. Please find out the cost of anything before getting involved or accepting.

those recovering from a traumatic injury.

What a wonderful world if people could be as generous to humankind as dogs. Regardless of our faults, dogs provide unfailing loving care. A new study suggests dogs may be able to use their sniffing powers to know when someone is having a really bad day.

Who knew there is an aroma to being stressed, but dogs seem to detect it. In this, they have a huge advantage over humans. The nose of a dog has 220 million smell cells compared to a meagre 5 million in humans.

We now know that cancers contain alkanes and benzene derivates which are not present in healthy tissue. Scientists have shown dogs can detect either a single chemical or a combination of them.

Bloodhounds have a reputation as the best in tracking down criminals. But other breeds, like poodles, are suited for medical careers. Studies show that dogs are right 99 percent of the time in diagnosing cancer. Another study showed that dermatologists and plastic surgeons were right just 66 percent of the time!

Clara Wilson, a doctoral student at Queen’s University, Belfast, School of Psychology, is one of the authors of a new fas-

Wilson collected samples of sweat and breath from 36 people before and after they faced a difficult math problem – with a time difference of just 4 minutes. Apparently these people were not mathematicians, as the numerical test induced a faster heart rate and raised blood pressure. Four dogs trained in selecting scents from a line-up were then put to the task. The dogs accurately identified the samples taken from “stressed” participants, ignoring the “relaxed” samples from the same person.

“The research highlights that dogs do not need visual or audio cues to pick up on human stress,” Wilson explains. “Dogs can smell stress from breath and sweat alone, which could be useful when training service dogs and therapy dogs.”

We know that dogs can offer great psychological support to people afflicted with anxiety problems. They also help

But there are times, such as the death of a loved one, when the degree of stress in a dog’s brain is overwhelmingly apparent. For instance, Dave Ross was a police dog handler who lost his life. His German shepherd, Danny, attended the funeral. It was apparent to all that the dog was whining while lying at the casket.

We don’t know the nature of that German shepherd’s anxiety. But one thing is certain. The dog was not begging for a bone. Man’s best friend was hurting.

Future science will dig deeper into the workings of a dog’s nose and brain. The foundation for such work has been laid by pioneering scholars like Marc Bekoff, Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder. His brain imaging work with animals shows evidence of their abilities to feel grief, fear, love, and compassion.

For now, just know that those 200 million cells in the nose of a dog can tell when you are having a bad day.

TTOQ comes from MNR Catering’s slogan “The Taste of Quality.”

The mission of TTOQ is to ensure each dish is memorable from a single dinner to a catering order. “It is our priority that our customers feel as if they are experiencing a phenomenal home-cooked meal.” TTOQ is driven to satisfy the customer at all costs. They are committed to delivering excellent service and quality foods at optimal value for all customers.

As a new entrepreneurial venture, it has moved beyond just herself at the helm to now consisting of a team of ten. Michelle is excited about the growth of her business and is excited about her entrepreneurial journey.

On January 2019 MNR Catering was launched and since then it has increased in size by expanding into different areas beyond catering. By 2020, it had evolved into The Taste of Quality (TTOQ).

The core values that are important to TTOQ involves a foundation built on:

• Good ethics

• Love

• Family values

• Quality food

• Solid governance

• Exceptional execution

CEO Michelle was born on the island of Ja-

maica and always had a passion for cooking. Cooking came naturally to her, and she has been doing it from the tender age of seven. She decided to take an entrepreneurial leap into the world of sole proprietorship to take her business to the next level. Along the way, she acquired many essential skills that would serve her well in the competitive field of Caribbean cuisine. Currently, TTOQ offers several options such as: single dinners, catering, meal preps, seasonings, and sauces.

Michelle shared with me her journey so far as an entrepreneur. She told me that she switched from legal studies to law clerk at Humber College due to unforeseen circumstances. Her business started before the COVID-19 pandemic, and she had to transition in order to adjust to the changing marketplace.

The single dinner option of her business is expanding, but currently, it is discontinued due to the rapid growth in

demand.

Michelle told me that the letters, “MNR” come from the initials of her names, “Michelle Nicole Rochester.” She is currently in the process of rebranding her business and within the next week, there will be an updated website.

MNR Catering does not offer Caribbean cuisine only in the Greater Toronto Area, but also in cities such as Hamilton and Ajax. Michelle told me that on September 24th, 2022, MNR Catering hosted Canada’s 1st Caribbean All You Can Eat Gala. It was an all-inclusive event that offered all you can eat appetizers, dinners, desserts, and cocktails all night. Michelle has great plans for 2023 as she seeks to expand the business and increase her customer base.

Over the years, TTOQ has served: the Government of Ontario, Walmart, Scotiabank, Forever 21, City of Toronto, Toronto District School Board, Western Union, RBC, Ford, PartyCity, and Rogers

Universal Basic Income (UBI) is about to be rolled out in the UK; what does this mean for the rest of the world?

W. GIFFORDJONES MD

TC HEALTH REPORTER

DIANA GIFFORD-JONES

MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“The Taste of Quality (TTOQ).” Prioritizing the dining experience

Black Class Action Secretariat brings international attention to anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination in Canada

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com TC REPORTER

Racism! It is a buzzword that people don’t want to talk about, or actively shy away from. It has been used to divide people, and has done notable harm to the very structure of our society. Regardless, racism has become a very real aspect of our everyday existence, a trigger word that is handled by using words like, “Diversity,” and “Equity.” It is one of the reasons that systemic racism can go unnoticed by White elites, because they’re not looking for it, or choose to ignore it.

The harsh reality is that the systems that are in place in our society to help people meet their basic needs are biased against people of colour. These systems

favour White elites and make it difficult for people of colour to have access to certain rights, and privileges.

Talking about racism is not an attempt to guilt, or shame anyone; racism needs to be discussed so that it can be properly addressed. Evoking change is a long process, but learning more about systemic racism is an important first step.

In October of this year, the Secretariat, with support from Amnesty International, submitted a complaint to the United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance.

On December 4th, 2022, the Black Class Action Secretariat addressed the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr. Nicholas Marcus Thompson (Executive Director) and Mr Alain Babineau (Director of Operations for Quebec) represented the Secretariat.

They were joined by numerous: civil society groups, member states, and leaders from both Canada and around the world. The goal was to bring attention to

global anti-Black racism and to chart a path toward addressing the many interconnected challenges.

Mr Nicholas Marcus took the opportunity to draw international attention to the pervasive and persistent systemic challenges Black Canadian workers are encountering when looking for employment with Canada’s federal public service, as well as the obstacles experienced when looking to advance in this sector.

“We’re here today alongside Canadian non-governmental organizations to bring international attention to antiBlack racism and systemic discrimination in Canada. For decades, federal public sector workers of African descent have faced significant discrimination both at the hiring and promotional stages of employment.

All Canadians of African descent, workers in the public and private sectors are disproportionately impacted by policies and practices that create systemic barriers to their hiring, promotion, and advancement – leading to their gross underrepresentation in leadership roles.”

Remember those buzzwords I was

talking about: diversity, and equity; they are a part of the rhetoric that addresses the decades-old challenges of anti-Black racism in Canada. It seems that Canada chose not to send a senior Black Ministerial official from the governing party to participate in this historic meeting.

Mr. Alain Babineau, the Secretariat’s Director of Operations in Quebec, made sure to point this disappointing fact out. “It’s not only disappointing to see that Canada did not want to openly support this UN forum despite being a signatory to the UN Decade for People of African Descent, but it’s further dismaying that we didn’t even see it fit to send a Minister of Government or a member of the Black Caucus to attend.”

The Secretariat has called on Canada to establish a Black Equity Commissioner, similar to the permanent Special Envoy on Antisemitism, and the new Special Representative on Islamophobia. The Black Equity Commissioner would serve as a champion and special advisor to the federal government on anti-Black racism domestically and internationally.

race matters in that process.

STEVEN KASZAB

steven@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Published in Psychological Medicine Magazine, The study’s answer is yes to both questions. The researchers followed 110 White and 112 Black women from the age 10 to about 40, as well as their first child. Their findings showed that financial stress during the pregnancy period such as job loss, or not having the ability to pay bills was linked to accelerated cellular aging of White children, but not Black children.

Cellular age can be measured by examining the length of one’s telomeres, the productive DNA. Telomere lengths shorten with age, and the shorter telomeres predict earlier onset of illness such as diabetics and heart disease, along with earlier death. Prenatal stressors are linked to shorter offspring telomeres.

Black women may indeed reduce the impact of maternal stress, having developed culturally and historical ways of dealing with undue stress. Infant death in the Black community has been historically high compared to the White population demographic.

Perhaps expecting bad news, the possible-probable death of an infant due to social, hospital and cultural stresses historically prepares a non-White woman for a child’s death, ultimately reducing their stress guards.

Black women have been socially and culturally prepared for: bad news, the loss of a loved one, loss of employment, and feeling the regular stress of expected racism within our society. If you feel oppressed all the time, each single racist action you experience has less of a sting,

therefore becoming less stressful.

Racial disparities over time act as an evolutionary tool preparing nonWhites, culturally and genetically to deal with their lived experience. If someone is poor, will the loss of something further be overly stressful? Adaption is the arm of evolution. The question we should be asking ourselves is “Are Black women mentally and possibly genetically more capable than other women?” Has cultural, social, historical and genetic influences over time shaped and formed many of us, preparing us for life’s often oppressively stressful demands?

Stress has been the main indicator cause of death within the adult population, influencing every aspect of our lives and that of our children.

It has been five years now since Kente Claus made his appearance on the Canadian and American scene. Dewitt Lee III who transformed himself into Kente Claus is described as, “Canada’s first Africentric Claus.” The first event that Kente Claus participated in was in December 2017. Lee described the origin of Kente Claus in 2016 as a means “To bring joy to children and pride to my community during Christmas.”

Despite being recruited by the Claus Corporation to give away toys in Africa and the Caribbean, Lee has stayed true to his spiritual conviction. It is simply

“To bring Christ back into Christmas by telling the story of the First Christmas in Africa.”

Kente is a type of fabric used in traditional clothing from Ghana. It’s a colourful fabric that is also part of storytelling. For Lee, the traditional story of the family of Jesus escaping to Egypt hearkens to the first Christmas in Africa. Lee connects this story directly to Toronto. He states, “To be able to tell the story of a refugee is very important because we are a sanctuary city here in Toronto. We call people who are persecuted and open our doors.”

In the promotional material about the legend of Kente Claus, Lee describes how he receives two words from God, “Kente Claus” as a direct revelation. From his search on the internet, he discovered that Kente Claus was previously introduced to the world a decade earlier.

He states, “There was only one year of headlines to reference, but it provided all of the answers I was seeking. At that moment, the mission and mantle of Kente

Claus was born.”

The impetus for Lee to proceed with Kente Claus came after he learned that the Mall of America would be launching the first Black Santa Claus. Lee is clear about the significance of Kente Claus. For him, “What makes this different, is that Kente Claus is not a replacement of Santa Claus, but a colleague at the Claus Corporation.”

Since 2017, Kente Claus, the Claus with a cause, has been involved in several charitable events in Africa, the Caribbean and America. Lee states, “Every year, Kente Claus travels to North America to collect toys for Black youth around the world, to ensure that Christ is kept in Christmas and to remind the world, this is a season of family, giving and love.” Kente Claus starts off his “December to Remember” tour in Buffalo at the African American Heritage Corridor and continues in Toronto. On January 7th, Lee will celebrate the Orthodox Christmas in Egypt, Africa, and all over the world.

It is important for Lee that the

commercial Ho Ho Ho that Santa often chants is replaced with “Ho, Ho, HOTEP,” which when translated means peace. Lee notes, “This symbol and slogan combined is to convey a message to everyone to seek peace in their very busy and demanding lives, especially during Christmas. A gentle reminder to be grateful, thankful, and fruitful.”

Kente Claus made appearances inside Woodbine Mall near Fantasy Fair on: Sunday, December 11th, Monday, December 12th, and on Thursday, December 15th, and Friday, December 16th. On Saturday, December 10th, he made an appearance at the Afwi Holiday Market in Pickering, Ontario.

Anyone interested in Kente Claus can follow him on these social media platforms:

Facebook: Kente Claus

Twitter: @kenteclaus

Instagram: @kenteclaus

Are Black women mentally and possibly genetically more capable than other women?

“Ho, Ho, HOTEP,” Kente Claus reminds everyone to seek peace in their very busy and demanding lives

PAUL JUNOR

I don’t know where to start with our Classic Man this week. He has been such an inspiration to myself, and the African-Caribbean community that it is going to be difficult to summarize his value in this one article, but I am going to give it a try.

Let’s start with his achievements, and academic accolades:

From October 1992-September 2000, he was a Math and Science Teacher, and his excellence was recognized early when he was awarded the 1997 Mentor of the Year from the Black Achievers Program.

From September 1981-June 1985 he worked on his Bachelor of Science and graduated with Honours Specialist In Medical Microbiology and Human Biology from the University of Toronto.

During this time he obtained his Bachelor of Education, Faculty of Education: University of Toronto (1992), Intermediate Senior Division: Science/ Mathematics (June 1996), Masters of Theological Studies (MTS) from St. Augustine Seminary, Honours Specialist: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (December 2008), Principal’s Qualification Part 1: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (July 2009), Principal’s Qualification Part 2: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (January 2011), and he completed the Building Black Entrepreneurs Program in November 2022.

Who is the studious and high achieving Classic Man? No other than our very own esteemed Community Journalist Paul Junor.

Paul Junor was born on June 15th, 1962, in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England to Jamaican-born parents, John and Viney. He spent his early childhood and formative years in Birmingham before moving to Jamaica in the late 1960s with his sister, Janet to live with his paternal grandmother, Lotris Simpson.

He lived in Wild Cane, St. Ann during those early years before moving to Duhaney Park Primary School. He passed his common entrance exam in 1972 and attended Kingston College. One of the greatest memories of his time in Jamaica was being ranked # 4 in table tennis, and having his name published in the Jamaica Gleaner. He competed in many tournaments in the corporate area of Kingston.

“I used to play so much table tennis. One of the things that stood out a lot to me was how peaceful Jamaica was during that time. I used to walk all over Kingston at the age of 11 and 12 and explore. Jamaica was so beautiful, and not as dangerous as the media portrayed it.”

In 1978, Paul and his sister migrated to Canada to join his mother, who had remarried. They lived in the Jane and Finch area, before moving to Brampton in October 1978.

“Once I moved to Canada, life changed for me drastically. I had lost touch with my mother and had to deal with some abandonment challenges. For years even my father disappeared. Imagine as a kid what those experiences were like. Out of the blue, we re -

ceived a letter from our mother saying she was in Canada, and she wanted us to join her, and this is how we got reconnected with our mother.

I was always a studious kid; it provided a lot of opportunities for me. I did well in school and, once I finished high school and started university, I never went back home. In order for me to develop the way I wanted to; I couldn’t be home.”

Paul attended Central Peel Secondary School and graduated in June 1981. He started an Honours Bachelor of Science program at the University of Toronto which he completed in 1985 with a double specialist in Medical Microbiology and Human Biology.

“I went to the University of Toronto, and back then there were very few Black people. There was a lot of academic pressure; it was a very unnerving experience, not positive. It was stressful; it felt like a marathon, but I was not a quitter. I have never been one to quit. Even though I was at U of T, I spent most of my time at York; my friends were there, parties, it was more inviting. At U of T, you had to compete against other students, and this is what made it extremely stressful.”

Armed with a background in biological science, Paul started his technical career in the medical field. His first job was at BocknecK Lab in Etobicoke, then Boreal Lab in Mississauga before moving to MDS Lab in Etobicoke. He spent three years working as a laboratory technician with the goal of becoming certified as a Medical Laboratory Technologist. He eventually gave up the laboratory field to pursue a teaching career.

During his time at MDS Lab, he started his philanthropic work with several Black community organizations in Toronto. He volunteered with the African Heritage Educators Network (AHEN), and participated in their Project 90 program, which offered Saturday tutorial classes to elementary and secondary Black students at Northview Heights Secondary School in Toronto.

It was this volunteering experience that propelled him to apply to Teacher’s College in 1991. He was accepted at the Faculty of Education at the University of Toronto in September 1991 and he completed his B.Ed in June 1992 with teaching qualifications in Math and Science at the Intermediate level.

“I started volunteering at a high school working with Black children, and through that volunteer experience I got to know teachers. My work in education started with community work. It is funny how life works; I had no intention of being a teacher, but life had different plans for me.

When I first stood up in front of classes, I was so scared, but the students loved me. I think that it was because I was a young Black teacher, and most of the teachers were White, old, and grumpy, so I think that students found me more relatable”

In October,1992 he accepted a full-time teaching position with the Etobicoke Board and started his teaching career at North Albion Collegiate In-

stitute (NACI). He taught there for nine years before accepting a promotion to Nelson A. Boylen to be in charge of the Teachers Advisors Program (TAP). After ten years there, he was promoted to be Acting Curriculum Leader (ACL) in Science at Emery Collegiate Institute for the 2011-2012 school year.

He was then promoted to an Acting Curriculum Leader position in Mathematics at Westview Centennial Secondary School for the 2012-2013 school year and subsequently was transferred to Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute in Scarborough where he taught for three years. He was promoted to be an Assistant Curriculum Leader in Science at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute for two years from 2018-2021.

Over the years, he has volunteered with several well-known organizations including: Highfield Community Project, West Indies Volunteer Community Support, Each One Teach One, Ontario Parents of Black Children, Black Achievers Club for which he received mentor of the year, Vision of Science, Planet Africa, Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA), and the Festival Management Committee( FMC).

He has also worked with Cherryl Lewis, Executive Director of the African-Canadian Christian Network (ACCN) helping Black elementary boys and girls prepare for the SSAT to gain acceptance into private schools in the Greater Toronto Area.

Paul is grateful for the mentors and role models that have entered his life over the years. He is particularly thankful for: Dr.Gene Archer, Pastor of Pilgrim Church of the FirstBorn, Vernon Farrell, former principal with the North York Board of Education, Dr. Bernard Moitt, former professor at the University of Toronto, Alvin Frank, MInister at The Stone Church, and Alvin French of the University of Toronto.

How I connected with Paul, and how he began writing for the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was the healing power I saw in his poetry. I saw his ability to use words to: encourage hearts, empower minds, elevate wills, energize spirits and enlighten souls.

“The power of community connects us in a way beyond our own families. There is a lot of dysfunction in our families, but within our community, there is the opportunity to foster strength. I have been so supported by my community, and this has empowered me to do the work that I do. I do a lot of work with children. I have received so much that giving has become natural for me. I know what it is like to not have, so this is why giving back to my community is so important.”

Photo Credit: Jeff Lockhart

Photo Credit: Sanj P Photography

Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News

Encourage hearts, empower minds, elevate wills, energize spirits and enlighten souls

Cupcakes are her speciality Sweet Simplicity Toronto

Nobody wants to hear that they are not good enough to accomplish something that they have set their mind on. It is about managing their dreams with a dose of realism; it provides a healthy, even essential way to prevent deceptions of what can be actualized.

der,” she says chuckling.

Avalanche Bark Decker Cake, Eggnog Cheesecake Bars, Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars, Lemon Bars, Millionaire’s Shortbread Oatmeal Carmelita Bars, Peanut Butter Cup Bars, Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, Scotcheroos, Seven Layer Bars, Snickerdoodles…

I know, I know, you might have already started your resolution to eat better in the New Year but come on; you must already realize that this is the worst time of year to do that. I am not going to make it any easier on you, because this week’s Business Feature is all about those guilty pleasures that get us in trouble this time of year.

It is that clean, slightly sweet, yeasty aroma that is like inhaling a blanket on a cold winter day. It is a smell that brings back memories of licking the bowl after our mothers/fathers finished pouring the mixture into the pans. Then we anxiously waited for the timer to go off, so that we could sample the tasty treats with a tall glass of milk…

This week I am proud to highlight a young lady who I have watched blossom into a young entrepreneur. She reminded me that we all have dreams in life, and these often started when we were younger.

When you were in high school, you may have had visions for your future, of the places you wanted to get to, and of the person you wanted to be. Too many of our youth end up in colleges and careers they don’t want, and that is because their parents have pushed them in directions they don’t want to go.

So, what happens if you are a young person who has found something that you are passionate about?

Rayaan Hassan is a 15-year-old entrepreneur who has shown brilliance for baking tasty, tantalizing treats at her now established business Sweet Simplicity Toronto. I met Rayaan when she was nine years old, and even then, I saw something unique about this young energetic mind. During the pandemic, I lost touch with her family, but most recently we reconnected, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that during our lockdown, she had used that time to launch her business.

Last week I went to visit her, and she shared with me how Sweet Simplicity Toronto came to life…

“It started with me helping my mom in the kitchen. My mom used to bake a lot when I was younger, and I used to help her a lot. When the pandemic hit, I started to bake. I was shocked when my family told me that they actually enjoyed the treats that I was making.

I was six years old when I first helped my mom make Tiramisu. After watching her, I made my own. I realized how much I enjoyed baking. I spent time in the kitchen with my mom and I would help her cook, but I realized quickly that I liked baking more than cooking.”

Her first solo project was angel cake, and she shares how disastrous her first experience was.

“I forgot to put baking powder in it,” Rayaan say’s laughing, “So that was my first ‘L.’ When I attempted again, I made sure to put baking powder in it, and it turned out really well.

I then upgraded to baking muffins. I remember that week, my mom had bought new muffin tins, and I wanted to try them out. Those turned out really well. My mom was always around when I was baking, always assisting, and making sure that I didn’t do something silly like forget baking pow-

“I then moved on to cookies. I made cookies for my brother and my sisters, and then I wanted to start experimenting with frosting. One day my sister’s friends were all over, and I made my first attempt. Looking back now, I think I got fake feedback. I think they were horrible, but my sister and her friends said they were well done.”

Rayaan made that first set in August 2020, then she went on to make Red Velvet muffins, which she says turned out better.

“I went from baking once a week to every other day. In October 2020, I got the recipe and design style down for the frosting. I spent a year perfecting my work, but I also spent a lot of time thinking, why would anyone buy cupcakes from me? My parents and my favourite cousin told me to start my business, and not to doubt myself.

My sister Ramla helped me with naming the business. My mom’s friends made one of my first large orders. It was for her wedding, and she ordered 60 cupcakes. That is when people in my community started to hear about my baking, and I gained so many followers on Instagram. When my mom came home that night, she told me that people were asking her for my business cards, so I had to go and make them.

I went from one or two orders a month, to one or two orders a week. It became overwhelming, so I have had to slow it down a little and focus on my schoolwork. Now that it is the holiday season, orders are coming in again, but with the holiday break coming up, I will have more time to do what I love.”

What is in the future for this young baker extraordinaire?

“I see myself opening a bakery with my sisters. Ruwayda (my little sister) helps out, and Radwa (older sister) does my social media marketing.”

What I was reminded about during this interview is that the more you can: support, steer, gently cajole, and encourage young entrepreneurs, the more you can ensure all of their dreams come true.

SIMONE SMITH

simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

W. GIFFORDJONES MD

DIANA GIFFORD-JONES

SENSE HEALTH

people pick their nose about four times a day

There’s a lot of “stuff” this time of year –the stuffing in the turkey, for example, or all the meaningless commercial stuff we buy for the holidays that ends up in landfills. The holidays are a good time to look around and assess what is good stuff and what is bad. It might disappoint some readers to learn that this week the “stuff” we are choosing to look at is the mucus in your nose.

There can be quite a volume of this sticky, or runny, or plugged up stuff at this time of year. A very stuffed up nose can be a symptom of trouble. Our thoughts are with the many anxious families dealing

Studies show that nearly

with young children battling respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

“The hallmark of RSV is that it causes a lot of mucus production that causes you to blow your nose more frequently,” says Dr. Magna Dias, a paediatric physician with Yale Medicine. Fortunately, that’s the worst of it for most children, while for those with weak immune systems, hospitalization is necessary, as we are witnessing now.

An ounce of prevention? There is no downside to taking higher doses of vitamin C than typically recommended. And when infection strikes, why not have an immune system primed with extra C, plus fuelled 2-3 times a day with high doses?

Don’t be alarmed by some of that mucus in your nose. It’s normal. It might not be apparent when you are coughing it up or sneezing it out, but mucus is good for you.

In fact, mucus is a functional component of the mouth, sinuses, throat, lungs, and gastrointestinal system. It’s mostly water, but also contains antibodies that attack

viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Without enough mucus, infections have the advantage.

The sticky quality of mucus helps it trap dust before it gets in the lungs. The slimy element helps slide food down the oesophagus and protects the stomach lining from acid. There’s a sexy element of mucus found in cervical secretions too.

The average person produces an astounding four cups of mucus a day! Most of it gets swallowed without notice.

The colour is an indication of whether mucus is “normal” or the harbinger of an unwanted visitor. Clear mucus means good health. Yellow or green suggests a viral infection. Brown or red means the presence of blood, caused by inflammation or the trauma of a finger, perhaps.

Aren’t you picking your nose? It’s rare that a person doesn’t. Studies show that nearly all people pick their nose about four times a day, but it is not a clean habit. Mixed with dead skin cells and dirt under the fingernails, it’s possible to find nasty stuff like the bacteria that cause pneumo-

nia and urinary tract infections, and even salmonella and E. coli.

To the extent possible, leave that healthy mucus alone.

A better pastime is to admire the innovative uses of mucus in the animal kingdom. Snail slime helps with protection and propulsion. Some snails use mucus to suspend themselves in mid-air for a remarkable mating performance. Not surprisingly, there is a robust market for snail mucus in Chinese and Korean medicine and cosmetics.

There has also been research suggesting dolphins take advantage of the mucus in their nasal passages beneath their blowholes to produce their highest frequency clicks.

Dolphins, snails and fish live in wet places. We humans, however, need to survive through the dry winter air. The lack of humidity can make our noses drier than in other seasons. Drinking more water will help.

And when the nose tickles, reach for a tissue.

all

COMMON

Peel Regional Police News

Gluten free and Keto diet lifestyle

RACHEL MARY RILEY

Some individuals enjoy this diet, or are thinking of doing this type of diet. Refer them to this article journal and allow them to think deeper. Plus, you never stop learning, especially when it comes to the journey of a healthier lifestyle. I personally have never done gluten and Keto diets, but based on my research and word of mouth

Gluten is made from wheat that comes from certain proteins. Throughout my research, I discovered that it’s a complex mix-

ture of many related but distinct proteins, mainly gliadin and glutenin. Gluten is a protein compound found in grains such as: wheat, barley, rye, and others. It’s what gives dough its sticky texture and chewiness. Gluten helps foods maintain their shape, acting as a glue that holds food together.

This includes: wheat berries, cereal grains, semolina, farina, spelt, rye, barley vital wheat gluten, and triticale which is a cross between wheat and rye just to name a few.

Foods that contain gluten include: bread, pasta, baked goods, and even certain beverages (2022).

The pros and cons of a gluten free diet? (Anderson, 2019)

Pros

• Diet is essential to treat celiac and gluten sensitivity

• Choices can focus on whole foods

• Safe to follow with proper nutritional planning

• Diet can be adjusted to suit other needs, such as dairy-free

• May improve lactose intolerance in some people

Cons

• Diet can be very low in fibre

• Nutritional deficiencies can occur

• Food choices at restaurants are limited

• Many packaged gluten-free foods are unhealthy

Keto diet

Keto has its pros and cons. The cons of doing a keto diet is that it doesn’t help you to keep off weight long term. The pros are that Keto are plant based and makes you feel less bloated. Keto-friendly food does not automatically equate to gluten-free, nor does the food found in the gluten-free aisle give you the green light to have it on low-carbohydrate diets (2022).

A low-carbohydrate plan on the other hand is a choice that people make and is usually to reduce weight, or for better overall health. Gluten-free isn’t always

low carb. Unfortunately, some low-carb foods are considered keto-friendly because of the addition of dietary fibre. The high fibre that has been placed in foods like low-carb tortillas, for example, usually has wheat flour in them. Be wary of these substitute ingredients while on a keto diet. Someone on a low-carb keto plan may get away with not being quite so diligent in removing gluten, but they don’t have the wiggle room to eat from the gluten-free aisle.

Why? Well for one, many of these gluten-free products are made with: corn, rice, tapioca, or potato starch.

They are loaded with a high concentration of carbs and will have you going over your daily carb limits quickly. These highly processed foods will spike your insulin levels and then bring your sugar crashing down after an hour or so.

A low-carb diet aims to keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel, a win for those who are insulin resistant.

3 mistakes to avoid when working out

Regardless of whether you just started exercising at home or you’ve been going to the gym for years, there are certain rules you should follow to ensure your workout is as beneficial and enjoyable as possible. Here are three common mistakes to avoid.

1. Wearing the wrong outfit

When it comes to working out, your choice of clothes and shoes is important.

For instance, you should opt for polyester rather than cotton because it’s stretchier and breathes better. Additionally, be sure to select footwear intended for your activity of choice and the types of movements you’ll be doing.

2. Exceeding your limits

Pushing yourself to your limits every day with the hope of seeing quick results will

only increase your risk of getting injured. While it’s good to challenge yourself, make sure you listen to your body and give yourself plenty of time to recover after a workout. This approach will pay off in the long run.

3. Neglecting your diet

Be sure to drink enough water during your workouts, as exercise speeds up dehydration. You should also eat a snack that’s rich in carbohydrates and easy to digest about an hour before you exercise to give you the energy you need. To maximize the benefits of your workouts, reduce your sugar intake and make other improvements to your diet.

For personalized advice about adopting a healthier lifestyle, consult your doctor or a personal trainer.

What to do about dry skin in winter

Low temperatures, cold winds and dry indoor air can make skin lose moisture in winter. Here are some tips to help you keep your skin soft and hydrated this season.

• Take shorter showers. Long, hot showers might be enjoyable, but they also remove your skin’s protective oils and dry it out even more. Spend less time in the shower or bath, and opt for lukewarm water instead.

• Use the right soaps. Gentle cleansers or creams that contain nut butters or oils, for example, will protect your skin against damage while also keeping it hydrated. You should also avoid using exfoliants.

• Moisturize regularly. For deep­penetrating skincare, use fat­based body butters and moisturizers or thermal water. If your skin is particularly dry, choose a rich, soothing cream. For best results, apply the product immediately after showering or washing your hands while your skin is still damp.

• Stay hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Additionally, you can maximize your skin’s health by eating foods that are rich in omega­3 fatty acids.

If your dry skin persists despite a rigorous care routine, consult a doctor or dermatologist. They may be able to recommend habits or products adapted to your specific needs.

How to prevent frostbite

Frostbite can occur if skin is exposed to freezing temperatures for too long. This type of damage often affects the extremities of the body such as the ears, nose, fingers and toes. If not properly treated, frostbite can lead to serious complications. Here’s how to prevent it.

Dress appropriately

Wear several layers of warm clothes, and make sure you’re covered from head to toe when you venture outside in cold weather. A wool hat, mittens, a scarf and boots are all winter wardrobe essentials. You should also invest in a quality, waterproof winter coat.

Dampness promotes heat loss. If your clothes get wet while you’re outside, be sure to change them as soon as possible.

Limit your outings

Avoid staying outside for too long when the temperature drops, especially if you

aren’t wearing the right clothes. When you do spend time outdoors in winter, prioritize activities that keep you moving. Don’t forget to take breaks, preferably indoors, so you can refuel with a snack and hot beverage.

Check the forecast

Always check the weather before you leave the house in winter. Pay particular attention to extreme cold warnings, and don’t hesitate to reschedule your planned outing for a day when it’s safer to be outdoors for an extended period of time.

If you notice early signs of frostbite, such as cold, numb or reddish skin, get inside and slowly warm up the affected areas.

Newborns, adults over the age of 65 and people with chronic health conditions are more sensitive to the effects of cold weather than healthy adults and children.

“New Year, New Beginning: How to make the coming year your best yet”

DANIEL COLE daniel@carib101.com PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

When we closely observe life and the human experience in general, we will realize that many things don’t change that much; we either use new phrases to describe what already exists or we just recycle stories, but in reality, nothing is new. This year 2022, is 365 days; next year, 2023, is 365 days. Winter will come, and so also will summer. There will be a protest about something in the coming year. People will still be jobless, while some will get employed; it’s just the cycle

We are bound to repeat the histories we don’t learn from. A person re

years. Before the clock strikes midnight, December 31st, take inventory of this year and document the things you did well, your breakthroughs and the process or events that led to them. Socrates rightly said an unexamined life is not worth living.

When you live a principle-centered life, success or failure is always predictable. What are the principles that guide your life? I believe the only thing new in any new year is the “New You” coming to the new calendar. The new year is a time for reflection and setting goals for the future. It’s an opportunity to start fresh and make positive changes in your life.

Here are some tips for making the most of the coming year:

• Reflect on the past year: Take some time to think about the past year and what you accomplished. What worked well for you and what didn’t? What are you proud of and what would you like to improve upon?

Set goals: Once you have a sense of what you want to improve upon,

it’s time to set some specific goals. Be sure to make your goals SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the year.

• Create a plan: Now that you have your goals in mind, it’s time to create a plan for how you will achieve them. Break your goals down into smaller, more manageable tasks and create a schedule for completing them. This will help you stay organized and on track.

• Be consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to achieving your goals. Try to make progress on your goals every day, even if it’s just a small step. Over time, these small steps will add up and help you reach your goals.

• Stay positive: It’s important to stay positive and believe in yourself. Don’t be discouraged if you encounter setbacks along the way. Instead, use them as opportunities to learn and grow. Remember that progress takes time, so be patient and keep working towards your goals.

• Seek support: It’s much easier to achieve your goals when you have the support of others. Surround yourself with people who are positive, supportive, and encouraging. They can provide guidance, motivation, and accountability, which can be crucial for success.

• Be flexible: Your goals and plans may change throughout the year, and that’s okay. Be open to making adjustments and pivoting when necessary. Remember that your goals are meant to be a guide, not a rigid rulebook.

By following these tips, you can make the most of the coming year and set yourself up for success. Whether you want to improve your health, advance your career, or achieve a personal goal, the new year is the perfect time to start making positive changes in your life. So take some time to reflect, set goals, create a plan, and stay positive and consistent. With hard work and determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. I wish you a merry Christmas and the best in the coming year.

sions known. Why? It is not a simple issue, but extremely complicated.

Regarding personal servitude, both forced and willingly accepted happens. Many people allow someone to hold sway over their lives so long as they are clothed, fed and housed. Perhaps dictatorships are welcomed so that peace and calming routine may return to a society. The person, who pays for all things within the household, has the first choice and the final say. Decisions to be placed in some form of servitude are often collaborative and accepted. The very pledges made by a religious monk, nun or friar are based in many ways to the pledge to be at the Churches very beck and call. Service to an organization is much like servitude to a person or group.

We must face the fact that our economic system is based upon the earliest forms of servitude, the ownership of another human being, and that person’s

property. Property was once akin to survival, but with the advent of credit came another form of slavery, a slavery that is often welcomed by our neighbours.

Capitalism brought with it the idea of credit, giving others the ability to borrow funds or products. What is enslaving about that? Funds must be allotted on prescribed times to repay interest with the principal. If you do not pay you lose the item, your credit and ability to borrow again. Loss of home, car, cell phones, services are endangered by the power of contract. Debt increases until you are no longer able to financially function. Billions of people around this globe are living in servitude to a financial system, who like the slave traders of old are usually heartless with no compassion. No rent payment; get out.

Human slavery still exists in many nations. Migrant workers held without pay in first World Nations and

the Middle East. Young men and women enslaved by organized crime to fulfil demands of nefarious individuals. There is forced slavery found in mass in China, India and other third world nations. Life at times becomes a commodity of the financial system. Even the bodies of aborted children are often used for financial purposes. The dead are enslaved to a system that uses all of us for its own purposes. I don’t mean to be glib, but slavery cares little for the enslaved whether that is a person, animal or even the dead. Prisons throughout the world have methods of harvesting the human organs of living and dead prisoners.

Slavery has always been centred upon profiteering and achieving power over others. Even if you can get off the grid, and cut yourself off from modern society, you would still be under the influences of nature, weather and the very planet we live upon.

Slavery has always been centred upon profiteering and achieving power over others

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

HUMAN SPECIALIST

I assumed that Mark was talking to someone from his office, so I approached slowly, and hung back a little bit until he had finished up his discussion. As soon as he was done, he walked over to me, “Hello Simone. Did everything go well at the border? You didn’t have any problems, did you?”

“No Mark. It was pretty straightforward. No problems at all. I am a little nervous, but other than that, the day has been going well.”

“Nothing to be nervous about,'' he responded. “Today, you don’t have

to do anything but sit in. There are other people here who are also part of this case, you will see them when you go in. Are you ready?

“As ready as I am going to be,” I said hoping that he could not hear the shaking in my voice.

“All right, well I think that we can go in. We are waiting for the judge, so you can take a seat anywhere at the back of the courtroom. When we are done, we can talk about what the next steps are.” With that he opened the door and ushered me in.

The courtroom seemed different this time. My first thoughts when I had gotten back from Panama were darker, and to me the room had seemed small, dark, gloomy. Today the court room seems larger than life, kind of like the ones you see in television shows bright, and shiny. As I walked into the room, I noticed that there were three sets of women sitting in the rows closer to the front of

the room, just behind the bar. They were quietly sitting there, staring blankly at the bench located at the front of the room. They too seemed offset by the entire situation, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through their minds.

I found it interesting that all the other accused seemed to be women; I am not sure if that made me seem better or worse, but I did feel settled for some reason. Maybe it was the thought that I had not been the only one that had been duped. I secretly wished that I could speak with them, hear what their stories were. Did any of them know P? I had been told that someone had mentioned my name, and that is why I had been put on the FBI’s radar. With their backs to me, I could not see any of their faces, so I was not sure.

I took a seat closer to the back of the room, and Mark made his way to the front where there was a group of men and women gathered. They began to chit chat with each other, and I realized that the other individuals were probably law-

ergies in the room unusual. Here we were, the accused anxiously dreading the arrival of the judge, meanwhile the lawyers were treating it like it was a casual hour. I guess it made sense; this was just another day for them, while it was the end of the world for us.

The clerk came in and took her seat behind the bench; the bailiff who announced the judge followed her. As the judge was announced, everyone in front of me stood up, so I followed suit. My first judge, who happened to be a man, entered from the chambers and sat down. Once seated, the rest of the courtroom sat down, and the proceedings commenced.

Each lawyer took his or her time to present information to the court including Mark. This took about 45 minutes and like that it was done. Court was then dismissed, and again we all stood as the judge left. I left the courtroom and waited for Mark to come out and tell what had just happened. It had all happened so quickly, and I had no idea what had transpired.

When making ends meet becomes difficult

It is not uncommon for people of the sandwich generation to have financial difficulties. These caregivers have to juggle the cost of dependent children and financial support for parents while trying to save for their own retirement. Because of this, they can run the risk of going into debt.

Caregivers in the sandwich generation often have to change their lifestyles; sometimes that means repeatedly taking time off work, reducing their hours or quitting their jobs completely to care for elderly parents.

Annual trips and a second car in the garage may have to be sacrificed, not to mention their retirement savings goals.

How is it possible to survive when you have to pay for your children’s education and activities, pay the mortgage and cover all those daily expenses on top of the costs of caring for an ageing parent? How to cope?

It is essential to establish a financial plan that reflects your priorities. Taking the time to set up a realistic budget with a financial advisor can make all the difference and eliminate a lot of stress at the same time. Take advantage of every possible tax credit; some tax breaks are available to people who have dependent children or an elderly parent to support. Above all, plan ahead; it is important to act before you start sinking into debt.

Are you a caregiver? When you give all your time and energy to caring for your children and your parents, you may end up physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. To be effective in this role, you have to be able to take care of yourself. The first step in self-care is to ask for all the help you need.

You may think your family already knows how to support you. The reality is that most of the people around you probably have no idea what they can do to lighten your load. Take the time to identify your needs. A few hours of respite per week? Help with the cleaning or grocery shopping, or somebody to take your parent to appointments? A sympathetic ear? Talk with your family and friends openly and honestly about what would help.

Don’t hesitate to find out about the different support services offered by community organizations and your municipality’s health network. For example, a home-care service could be a valuable support in caring for your elderly parent. You could also find out about assistive devices that facilitate daily tasks, such as a patient lift system, an adapted bed, a shower chair, etc. Be sure to find out which of your medical-related expenses you can get tax credits for.

Lastly, remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather proof that you’re taking care of your health and know how to be organized. And even if no one can take your place, it’s always possible to find solutions that will let you take a break once in a while.

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It had all happened so quickly, and I had no idea what had transpired! Reliving my Recovery

Making Christmas even more green: A cannabis gift guide

SEAN SEURATTAN sean@carib101.com

opening new doors to consumption. Canadian company Clean Fusion has created an effective and affordable Infusion System that empowers even the most novice user. With their base kit retailing for about $169, it utilizes sous vide water bath technology to create your infusions. Not only does this system make the Infusion process simple but provides the most control over the potency of your product! Being able to make your own infused oil, butter or milk and never having to worry about your dosage again is invaluable.

This product can be ordered online at www.cleanfusion.ca

Dat becoming a re-gift! They have a wide array of pieces to choose from including shirts, hoodies, swimwear and accessories. My own wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without a few items from their collection! You can find the full catalogue at www.cannatrydat.ca

MooseLabs is a necessary accessory. In a time where sanitary safety is a top priority, having an accessory with a long lifespan that protects you while still looking cool checks all the boxes.

consumer and a budding chef on your list, a home Infusion device may be the perfect practical gift. While the initial purchase may be a little pricey, the savings that the recipient will get makes this gift worth its weight in gold.

Making your own home infusions eliminates so much cost while also

If your classy connoisseur is fashion forward and loves to be the centre of attention, Cannabis Apparel Company; Canna Try Dat Canada literally has them covered! With beautifully mindblowing designs, a gift from their catalogue will be the new topic of conversation for everyone in the room. The stunning artwork and psychedelic colour directly reflect what appeals to even those with the most discerning fashion sense. Guaranteed you’ll never have to worry about something from Canna Try

If self-care is the top priority for your beloved herbalist, body essentials from Cannafused Bath and Body is right up their alley. This local, family-owned small business has a vast assortment of products for consumers to treat themselves the very best with! Cannafused has bath bombs, bath salts, lip balms and body butters infused with THC, CBD or both. Every product comes in a myriad of delicious flavours like: Blue Raspberry Slush, Pineapple Express and Fruit Loops that will make you question whether or not to eat these! Self-care isn’t just for the females you care about either. Even the most macho man will soften his demeanour once he feels how soft his skin is! You can find these reliably consistent products at www.cannafused. ca

For those sensible smokers on your gift list, the Mouth Peace from

The Mouth Peace comes in many sizes and styles that function with most smoking devices and forms of inhalation. Completely reusable, they utilize disposable filters that that keep out harmful by-products. They come in so many colours that you can have one to match every outfit you own!

A starter kit that comes with one Mouth Peace, and a pack of filters retails for about $14. This affordable price point makes it perfect as either a gift or even just a stocking stuffer. These great products can be found at accessory stores around the city or ordered directly from Moose Labs at www.mooselabs.us

With all these options available and more, it’s easy to forget the importance of supporting small businesses with your shopping dollars. Even if you’re not sure what that special person in your life wants, if they like cannabis they will love these gifts!

Seven budget-friendly tipsfor eating organic

Have you been meaning to include more organic foods in your diet, but the thought of spending even more on groceries is holding you back? Read on for some tips on how to eat organic without breaking the bank.

1. Eat seasonal. Organic or not, fruits and vegetables cost significantly more when they’re not in season.

2. Buy in bulk. Packaged goods are more expensive — plastic and card-

board come at a price! Buying things like grains, cereal, dried fruit, pasta, coffee, meat and nuts in bulk will save you a lot of money.

3. Eat less meat. Organic meat is undeniably expensive. You can reduce your intake and save money by regularly replacing meat products with legumes and other protein-rich substitutes.

4. Garden. Harvesting your own vegetables is one of the best ways to save

money on organic produce. If you don’t have enough space at home, look for a community garden in your area.

5. Make it at home. Pre-cooked meals are expensive. Instead, purchase a variety of staple foods and have fun cooking up a storm!

6. Stick to your list. More often than not, impulse-bought food ends up at the bottom of the garbage bin.

7. Buy directly from the producer. Vi-

Tips for a waste-free lifestyle

Switching to a waste-free lifestyle is an honourable endeavour that requires making some significant changes. The key to success is to ease into it by adjusting your consumption habits one at a time. Here are some tips to help you get off to a good start.

Gradually eliminating your household waste production involves buying less and making smarter choices. For example:

• Forget packaged goods and buy grains, cereal, dried fruit, and even nuts and bolts in bulk instead.

• Choose family sizes over individual formats and opt for refillable containers for things like cleaning products and shampoos.

• Forfeit bottled water — a few hours in the fridge is usually all it takes to neutralize the aftertaste of tap water, and you can always buy a filter if needed.

• Prioritize durability. Disposable

items like razors, paper towels, plastic bags, cleaning wipes, paper plates, batteries, etc., should be banished in favour of washable, reusable or rechargeable alternatives.

• Borrow books, DVDs, CDs, etc., from your local library or trade them among friends. Try to purchase digital media whenever possible.

• Update your wardrobe by hosting a clothing swap with your friends and family instead of going on a

Five eco-friendly fashion tips

Have you recently embraced a greener way of life and would like your personal style to reflect your eco-friendliness?

Follow these tips to make the right choices when it comes to clothes.

1. Buy less. It’s the easiest way to help the environment while saving money. Swap clothes with friends, repair or alter worn-out (or ill-fitting) garments rather than throw them away, and opt for classic, high-quality pieces that won’t fall

out of fashion.

2. Prioritize thrift shops. Whether it’s to buy new clothes or to get rid of items you no longer wear, thrift shops are great for cutting down on waste by giving still-wearable apparel a second chance at life.

Bonus tip: clothes that are tattered beyond repair make excellent rags!

3. Choose eco-friendly textiles. Hemp, linen, silk and wool (sheep or alpaca) are all natural fibres that produce very little waste. Further-

more, prefer organic cotton to conventionally produced varieties.

4. Favour fair trade. Seek out ethically minded clothing brands that ensure fair wages and appropriate working conditions for their workforce. To ensure the legitimacy of fair trade claims, look for logos belonging to reputable organizations such as the Fair Trade Federation, the World Fair Trade Organization, Fairtrade Canada and Fair Trade USA.

sit your local farms and public markets more often, or consider subscribing to a produce delivery service. Organic food that travels straight from the farm to your table is much more affordable.

Finally, keep an eye out for deals and spend wisely! For example, you can save big and enjoy a variety of organic produce year-round by purchasing in-season fruits and veggies and freezing them.

shopping spree.

• Use your printer only when necessary, making sure to reduce the spacing and font size before doing so — and don’t forget to choose the double-sided option.

Lastly, carefully evaluate your needs and only buy what’s essential to eradicate waste at the source.

5. Get informed. Gather as much information as you can about the clothes you intend to buy. For example, does the manufacturer prioritize a sustainable purchasing policy?

Finally, for a wardrobe that respects the environment in every way possible, always wash your clothes in cold water and use eco-friendly detergent.

Why having a pet is good for your health

Did you know that sharing your home with a pet is good for your health?

Here’s why.

They reduce stress

Spending time with a pet can decrease stress and slow your heart rate. In addition, some studies indicate that pet owners with Alzheimer’s are less likely to suffer from fear and anxiety than those who don’t have animals.

They ease symptoms of depression

Studies indicate that animal therapy can mitigate symptoms of depression,

anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In general, owning a pet has been shown to elevate levels of oxytocin and other feel-good chemicals in the brain.

They keep you active Dog owners who walk their canine companions regularly are more likely to be physically fit than people who don’t have dogs. Furthermore, seniors who walk their dogs walk quicker than those who don’t.

They may prevent allergies

Some studies indicate that children who share their home with a dog or cat in the first year of life have a decreased risk of developing allergies or asthma.

In addition to these health benefits, owning a pet can also help lessen feelings of loneliness. In particular, owning a dog can help foster social interactions and be an effective way to combat social isolation.

5 qualities all therapy dogs must have

All dogs are good dogs in their own way, but it takes a special set of characteristics to be a good therapy dog. Here are five traits every therapy animal should have.

1. They love people. Most dogs love the people that take care of them, but therapy dogs love all humans equally and indiscriminately.

2. They’re not easily distracted. Being a therapy dog often involves visiting hospitals, schools and nursing homes. They must be able to ignore strange equipment and devices that tend to distract other dogs.

3. They’re calm. The best therapy dogs have calm demeanours and can happily sit for an hour or more while people talk to them and pet them.

4. They like being touched. The dog should love being showered with affection and be able to tolerate unfamiliar people petting them in ways they’re not accustomed to.

5. They’re gentle. Therapy dogs must never hurt people, even uninten-

tionally. Those who jump or paw at people aren’t suited to the job.

In addition to these traits, therapy dogs must be clean and healthy. Because their work often takes them into hospitals and retirement homes, the people they visit may have weakened immune systems and shouldn’t be around dogs that could potentially transmit diseases.

How to train your bird to talk

Would you like to teach your parrot, parakeet or other bird to talk? Here are some tips that may help.

• Start early. It’s best to train your bird when it’s young. You can teach an older bird to repeat what you say, but it’ll take more time and patience.

• Repeat the words often. It’s best to start with simple words and phrases like “hello,” “bye-bye” and the bird’s name.

• Speak excitedly. Saying the words in an excited or sing-song tone is more likely to grab your bird’s attention.

Not

•

•

•

•

•

•

• Be consistent. The more you repeat a word or phrase, the more likely your bird is to learn it. This goes for words you don’t want it to learn too, so try to avoid saying things you don’t want repeated.

• Use rewards. Each time your bird successfully repeats a new word, be sure to praise it and offer it a treat. This will encourage it to continue to learn.

Above all, be patient. It may take years for your bird to learn to say a few words, and some never do, even breeds who are known to be talkers.

How to create the perfect home for your gecko

Geckos make great pets but have very specific habitat requirements. Here’s what you need to consider when creating a home for this type of lizard.

• Terrarium shape. There are many species of gecko and they all have different habitat needs. Geckos that like to climb need tall terrariums while those that don’t prefer wider tanks that have lots of room to run around in.

• Tank size. The terrarium size required depends on whether your new pet is still growing and how many geckos you intend to keep in it. Large tanks are fine, as long as you provide enough hiding places and things to climb on.

No matter what type of terrarium you settle on, be sure it has a lid that your gecko can’t pry open.

• Substrate. Using the wrong flooring material could negatively impact your gecko’s health and well-being. Mulched wood, coconut husks, certain types of moss and paper liners are ideal for most geckos.

• Lighting and temperature. Most geckos need a warm environment, so be sure to provide a heating system that includes heat lamps for your pet to bask under. Day geckos need a UVB lamp to thrive, but nocturnal breeds don’t.

• Hiding places. Consider your gecko’s natural environment when furnishing their tank. Desert species prefer rocks and bare branches while those that are from tropical environments prefer leafy branches and plants. Either way, be sure to provide plenty of hiding places where your gecko can rest and cool down.

No matter how you set up your gecko’s habitat, be sure to provide bowls for water, food and supplements.

Government assisted programs for people with low-income

call 1-800-282-8079.

Recipients must keep receipts and all documentation for six years in case of audits. It is important to keep paper trails and receipts. A good idea is to collect a few shoe boxes and mark the year on each one. Keep all the necessary paperwork for a year in a separate box. It becomes handy if needed.

The Goods and Service Tax Credits (GST)

Canada Dental Benefit

In 2019, an average family could rent an entire house for $1,700 monthly. Today, a room rents for around $1,000. Low-income families are having a difficult time. There are many government assisted programs available. Here are a few I found helpful. One- time $500 rental assistance. Must apply on or before March 31st 2023.

To qualify, all the following conditions must be met:

• Have filed a 2021 tax return

• Be at least 15 years of age as of December 1st, 2022

• Be a resident in Canada in 2022 for tax purposes

• Have an adjusted family net income of $20,000 or less for individuals, or $35,000 or less for families

• Have paid at least 30% of their 2021 adjusted family net income on rent for their principal residence in the 2022 calendar year

• Be able to provide their 2022 address(es) and landlord’s contact information

Candidates can apply for the Canadian Housing Benefit through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). On the CRA site, choose My Account. If you are logging in for the first time, you do not need a security code to get the benefit. Applicants who apply online and have direct deposit could receive their one-time top-up within five business days. If you are unable to apply online, then you can

This credit is given to low and modest-income earners. It is paid quarterly in January, April, July and October. The benefit year starts in July. The GST credit depend on family size and income. For the June 2022 to July 2023 benefit year, the credit is as follows:

• $467 for singles without children

• $612 for married or common-law partners

• $612 for single parents

• $161 for each child under the age of 19

To receive the full bonus, the net family income in 2021 must be less than $39,826. Over that income, the amount of credit decreases as income increases. The full phasing out depends on the family structure. For example, a single person without children with a net income of over $49,200 will not qualify while a couple with two children and a net income of under $58,500 will qualify. The GST credit is indexed to inflation. For the July 2022 to June 2023 benefit year, there would be an increase of 2.4%.

The government is hoping to double the GST rebate. The extra credit would be paid to the recipients through the current GST credit system. This will be done as a onetime lump-sum payment before the end of the year once the legislation is enacted. The only criteria for this credit is that recipients must file their 2021 tax return. Once filed, if qualified they will receive the GST credit and the lump-sum double. It is estimated that over 11 million individuals and families would benefit from this credit.

This benefit is to reduce dental cost for low- and mid-income families. It is only available for two terms. The first is for children under 12 years old as of December 1st, 2022, and receive dental care between October 1st, 2022 and June 30th, 2023. The second term is from July 1st, 2023, to June 30th, 2024. You can apply on The Government of Canada website under Canada Dental Benefit.

Here are the criteria to qualify:

• The child must be under 12 years old as of December 1st, 2022

• The child receives dental care services in Canada between October 1st, 2022, and June 30th, 2023

• The child does not have access to private dental insurance plan

• You are the only parent or care giver

receiving the Canadian Child Benefit (CCB) for the child as of December 1st, 2022. For shared custody, you received half of the CCB for the child

• Must file 2021 Income Tax

• Adjusted family income is less than $90,000 for 2021 tax year. The adjusted family income is calculated by CRA

If qualified, the recipient gets two payments for each child. Depending on the adjusted family income, the family can receive a taxfree payment of $260, $390 or $650 for each child.

The Government of Canada website is resourceful. There are many benefits available for us to take advantage of such as the Canada Greener Homes Grant, home buying program and incentives, home renovations and benefits for seniors. The underlining factor in accessing these benefits is to file your yearly income tax.

3 decorating tips for styling a room without windows 4 man cave ideas

Whether you have a guest room, powder room or interior bathroom without a window, here are a few decorating tips to make it feel bright and inviting.

1. Paint the room a light colour. Painting the walls and ceiling white, grey or beige can help add airiness to a dark room.

2. Hang a mirror. Windowless rooms can of¬ten feel small and cramped. Adding a large mirror or wall of mirrors deceives the eye into thinking the room is larger than it is and helps reflect light throughout the space.

3. Install plenty of lights. It’s essential to install layered lighting in a windowless room. For example, you can combine over¬head fixtures with lamps and accent lights. Placing lights underneath cabinets or inside exposed shelving to brighten dark surfaces is also a great idea.

Finally, pick neutral and minimalistic furniture. For example, a white couch with slim legs will allow you to see more of the floor, making the room feel open and bright.

5 ideas for a themed home bar

A man cave is a place to escape the stresses of the day. You can turn an unfinished basement, attic or underutilized garage space into a place where you can indulge in hobbies or spend time with friends. Here are some ideas for your man cave.

1. Gamers

Whether you love poker, role-playing games or chess, make a games table the hub of your man cave. Add a foosball table for variety. If you’re a video-game fanatic, invest in a big-screen television, ergonomic gaming chair and headphones.

2. Beer lovers

Build a bar to serve your friends the latest craft beers. Kegerators allow you to serve cold draft beer on tap. Add stools and neon beer signs for a pub-like atmosphere.

3. Sports fans

Watch the big game with your buddies in a sports-themed man cave decorated with hockey, baseball and football memorabilia. Choose paint colours that match your favourite team.

4. Audiophiles

Install wall-mounted wooden guitar hangers to show off your instruments, and display posters and albums of your most-loved bands. Install wall- or ceiling-mounted speakers that connect wirelessly to your devices.

No matter your theme, every man cave should have a beer fridge, good speakers and a comfy chair or couch. Visit your local home improvement store for more ideas, and start building your man cave today.

ARIES

You may be looking forward to the holidays. Entertaining will be very different from previous years, which will make you feel nostalgic.

TAURUS

You may be asked out by someone you don’t know, or your partner will take you on a trip. There are a lot of surprises in store for you this week..

GEMINI

You’ll have a lot to do at work before going on vacation. Everything will go according to plan. You’ll end the year with a sense of accomplishment.

CANCER

You’ll finish putting up your Christmas decorations after learning that you’ll be hosting for the holidays at the last minute.

You’ll want to outdo yourself and will do everything possible to stand out.

LEO

You’ll manage to take time off and take care of your home and children. You’ll get involved in a community event and be recognized for your efforts.

VIRGO

You’ll be outspoken this week. You’ll verbally express what others are thinking. You may also hear some gossip, which you must promptly disprove to avoid trouble.

LIBRA

You still have shopping to do, which may put you over budget. However, the gifts will be warmly received.

SCORPIO

You’ll be pressed for time to make important arrangements at work or home. At work, you’ll arrive first and leave last. Upper management will develop great confidence in you.

SAGITTARIUS

Don’t wear yourself out before the holiday season. Make time to rest and get rid of a nasty cold you can’t seem to shake.

CAPRICORN

You may feel stressed out and not know where to turn. Fortunately, you’ll figure things out in time for Christmas.

AQUARIUS

You’ll be highly organized in preparing for your holiday parties. You’ll finish everything you need to do on time and have a worry free holiday.

PISCES

FOR SALE FOR SALE

SHIRT JACKS: Shirt Jacks all sizes all colour call 416-474-3454

LAND FOR SALE TRINIDAD AND

TOBAGO: Joyce Road, (2KM from Chaguanas Police Station) Lot Size 5600 Sq.Ft. Residential Lot (NO T&C Approval) Price: CA$110,000.00 Tel: +16135018777

FOR SALE HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

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

HIRING FOR CLEANING: Looking for experience people for general cleaning evenings and night. Must speak English and can drive to areas in the GTA. Call or Text 647-239-4808. Seriou calls only

LIVE OUT HOUSE KEEPER: Needed for family in North York, Legal payment only T4 416-729-4772

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

Drivers needed for:

• Scarborough/Pickering/ Ajax

• North York/Rexdale/ Malton

• Brampton/Mississauga

Driver must have SUV or Van. Call 647-722-6298 to apply.

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

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

FOR SALE WORSHIP

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

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

647-722-6298 Some restrictions may apply. We reserve the right of refusal.

SALES REPS WANTED

What’s wrong with renting if you are rich?

CLEVE DeSOUZA

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Many people will tell you that renting a home is not the best financial choice to make. This is largely because rental payments do not add any value to your financial bottom line. On the other hand, an owned home has the opportunity to increase in value, providing equity and wealth and generating return on the investment, but what if you are already rich, and are not really all that concerned with wealth growing? Here are four additional reasons why the wealthy shouldn’t rent either.

Tax advantages

Wealthy people are often faced with paying the very highest of taxes. Because of this, owning a home instead of renting one is a good idea. When you own a home, you qualify for tax incentives and deductions that a person who rents a home will not typically receive. A tax specialist, ac-

countant, or strategic advisor can help you understand what these tax benefits amount to, and whether they are significant enough for you to make the purchase of a home worthwhile.

Creative freedom

Putting your own flair and customization on a home is part of the fun, but when you rent there are often limitations to what you can change. While you might get the ok from the landlord to paint or update something like the flooring, it will be much harder to get permission for more elaborate changes. Wildly creative remodels, wall removals, huge exterior projects like pools or spas, or the addition of entire rooms or floors might not be allowed. When you own your home, however, you are the primary decision maker and only have to ensure that work complies with local ordinances and safety laws. This provides so many more options for creative freedom and creating the home of your dreams.

Financial control

While many renters will never have an issue with losing their option to lease a home, there are plenty of tenants who will. If the owner of the property decides to sell the home, for example, then there is a good chance that you will be forced to move out. Alternatively, if the homeowner

were to succumb to a financial crisis or get into legal woes, it is also possible that the property could be foreclosed on, seized, or sold to pay off a debt. Even a messy divorce situation could lead to tenant uncertainty. When you own a home, you have more direct control over what happens with that property and whether you can live there long term.

More privacy potential

Many wealthy people know the value of privacy and cherish it dearly. While privacy concerns can be addressed within leases, even the most respectful of landlords will likely require some access to your home. This can mean less privacy. It is also possible that a landlord could abuse their right to access, creating even more concerns for the tenant and their family. With an owned home, you are the ultimate decision maker in terms of access, allowing your domain to be as private as you require.

Final thoughts

Deciding whether to rent or to buy a home is a personal decision, and one that each individual will need to make for themselves and their family. However, it is important to note that there are many reasons why owning a home can be preferable to renting, that have nothing to do with building equity.

How the envelope budgeting method works

The envelope budgeting method uses a cash-based approach to help people who strug¬gle with sticking to a budget to be more mindful of their spending. It allows you to physically see how much you spend.

Start by dividing your income into different spending categories, such as bills, gro¬ceries, savings, gas and entertainment. You can tailor your categories to your specific situation. How-ever,

don’t forget to create envelopes for irregular expenses, such as taxes, insurance and gifts.

Then, assign a certain amount of cash to each category. There’s no set amount. The dollar amount you place in each envelope should reflect your needs and personal goals. For example, if you spend $100 a week on groceries, put $400 in the grocery envelope for the month.

Once the envelope is empty, you can’t spend any more money in that category until the new budget period begins. If you have money left over in any of the envelopes, you can either keep it in that envelope for next month or remove it and add it to your savings account or emergency fund.

If you no longer use cash to pay bills, this method is easy to apply to a budgeting app.

Grow your wealth: protect your finances from inflation

The cost of just about everything is on the rise. Here are a few ways to protect your finances from the effects of inflation.

• Examine your spending and make a budget. Shop strategically and cut costs in certain areas to counteract rising prices.

• Find ways to reduce your debt load. Pay off high-interest debt like credit cards, lines of credit and personal

loans.

• Diversify your investments. Stocks and mutual funds offer the best chance of beating inflation over the long term.

• Increase your active and passive income. Ask for a raise at work and find creative ways to bring in more money.

Finally, consider the big picture and don’t make drastic changes based on current inflation or changing market conditions.

3 indispensable automotive inventions

Modern vehicles are more technologically advanced than ever before. However, some of the tech you take for granted didn’t always exist. Here are three inventions that revolutionized the automotive industry.

1. Winter tires

Winter tires improve grip and handling on snowy and icy roads. The very first ones were invented in Finland in 1934. Designed by Nokian Tyres, they were initially intended for large transport trucks. However, two years later, they were adapted to passenger vehicles. Modern winter tires were invented in the 1970s.

2. Seat belts

Seat belts significantly reduce the risk of being killed or seriously injured in a car accident. The precursor to the seat belt can be traced back to a harness designed by an aeronautical expert in the early 19th century. However, the first patent for automo-

bile seat belts was filed in 1885 by Nils Bohlin of Volvo.

The modern two-strap belt was introduced in 1959. However, it took until the 1970s for all Canadian provinces to enact a mandatory seat belt law.

3. Windshield wipers

If you’ve driven in the rain, snow, mud or slush, you understand the importance of windshield wipers. This innovation was patented in 1903 by Mary Anderson, who designed a swing arm with a manually operated rubber blade. In 1917, Charlotte Bridgwood created the first electric wiper bla des. Automatic wipers were patented in 1964 by Robert Kearns.

It goes without saying that driving would be a lot more difficult without these inventions.

5 situations that require an auto inspection

It’s important to have your vehicle regularly inspected to avoid unexpected breakdowns and fix small problems before they get out of hand. Here are five situations when an inspection is warranted.

1. Your vehicle’s warranty is expiring. If the warranty on your car is due to expire soon, it’s a good idea to bring it to a mechanic for an inspection. They’ll complete any necessary repair work while it’s still covered.

2. You’re planning a road trip. An unexpected breakdown can put a damper on your road trip. To avoid unpleasant surprises and enjoy your vacation, have your vehicle inspected and repaired in advance.

3. You’re shopping for a used car. Checking the mechanical condition of your future vehicle is a must. You’ll find out what type of condition it’s in and can ne -

gotiate a lower price if repairs are necessary.

4. Your lease is coming to an end. You may have to pay a hefty bill if the dealership determines your vehicle doesn’t meet their repair standards. It’s a good idea to have your car inspected a few months before the end of your lease so you can correct any lingering problems.

5. You’re selling your vehicle. If you sell someone a defective car, you could be held liable for any injuries they suffer as a result. It’s best to schedule a full inspection before you post your ad. This will allow you to make the necessary repairs, inform the buyer of any shortcomings and set the price accordingly.

Visit a mechanic near you for comprehensive service.

you’ll want to clap when you land

You’ll want to rush off the plane. You’ll want to dive into the ocean. You’ll want to switch your phone to ‘Do not disturb’. This is the magic of Barbados. visitbarbados.org