I CAN HELP MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY! “I work for you, not the banks! From first consultation to the signing of your mortgage, our services are free. A fee is charged only for the most challenging credit solutions, and it’s especially then that I can do for you what the banks cannot.”
SPECIALIZING IN 1st & 2nd MORTGAGES • PRIVATE MORTGAGES REFINANCES • NEW TO CANADA • SELF EMPLOYED • AND MORE!
CHARLES AYODELE
POWERED BY
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 4 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 2019
Mortgage Agent | Broker Financial Group 12619
CALL ME TODAY! I CAN HELP!
416-875-4523
EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ONE NEWSPAPER
www.charlesayodele.ca charles@bfgbroker.ca
TO ADVERTISE: 647-722-6298 • ONLINE: TORONTOCARIBBEAN.COM
SCARBOROUGH REPRESENTING SIMONE SMITH/TORONTO CARIBBEAN
For all my rice burning, too much salt using, overcooking friends out there, the time has come for another round of MASTERCHEF CANADA! Canada’s favorite culinary competition is in their 6th season, and they return with a two-hour premiere on April 8th, broadcasting on CTV. MASTERCHEF CANADA has landed two nominations for the 2019 Canada Screen Awards including “Best Reality/Competition Series.” It is no surprise because since opening its
doors in 2004, Proper Television – who is the producer behind MASTERCHEF CANADA – has become one of Canada’s most successful production companies. They have strategically worked across a wide range of genres, and are responsible for over 600 hours of reality, lifestyle, and documentary programming. This season, over a thousand promising chefs auditioned for only 18 spots; these 18 spots
have been filled with cooks from all walks of life. This year – along with our soon to be local celebrity- stands an: international figure skater, a cyber security analyst, a car salesman, and an entrepreneur. This year they will be competing for a chance to be one of six titleholders and take home the $100,000 cash prize. Continued On Page 5
BUY - SELL - INVEST
First & Second Mortgages Equity Loans from $5000 - $500,000 Debt Consolidation Home Refinance & Home Purchase Good or Less Than Good Credit
WITH CONFIDENCE Virtual Tours and High Quality HD Photos to Attract more Buyers Down payment Loans - Cash Back Mortgage Offers*
DAVE JOHNSON Real Estate Agent 647-867-7809
dave@searchrealty.ca | dave.searchrealty.co 50 Village Centre Pl Suite 100 Mississauga, ON L4Z 1V9
NATALYA TONEY
Mortgage Agent License #12275 Powered by
DLC BedrockFinancial Group Lic 12275
CALL OR TEXT 416-837-5460 natalya@lendmorefinancial.ca | www.lendmorefinancial.ca
PAGE 2
feature
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Irene Moore Davis The Power of Ancestral Knowledge
Born into the work I was first introduced to Irene Moore Davis, at the Kick off to Black History Month in Windsor, Ontario. My first thought when I saw her was, “She is a very striking woman!” She walked with an air of confidence, which I soon learned had ancestral backing. Irene was born to the late E. Andrea Moore, a fifth-generation African Canadian, and a descendant of Underground Railroad emigrants. What ties Irene to her Caribbean heritage is her father Fitz Moore who hails from sweet, sweet Trinidad & Tobago; he was raised in England and moved to Canada in the 1960s. Irene holds her history, and lineage in great esteem, and for good reason. During our interview, she shared that her connection to her history came from family discussions that were regularly held at the dining room table. Her family would pass around photos and talk about where they had come from, and the importance of preserving and passing down stories that tell of the trials, tribulations, and successes of their ancestors. Some significant names that can be traced to Irene include Shreve, Shadd, Christian, Dunn, Larter, Nelson, Robbin, and Stone. Fascinating Fact Irene is a direct descendant of Mary Ann Shadd Cary, who was an American-Canadian anti-slavery activist, journalist, publisher, teacher, and lawyer. Mary Ann Shadd Cary was the first African woman
Written by Simone Smith Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
DEBT RELIEF ARE YOU DROWNING IN DEBTS? THEN LET US HELP YOU...
Settle your debts without a bankruptcy Reduce the amount to pay back, no interest Stop harassing creditors and collection calls Get rid of tax debts, protect your assets Stop garnishments and lawsuits Only one low monthly payment, no hidden fees Legislated by the Government of Canada to provide individuals a significant advantage over other debt management programs.
Nona Kumar
Registered Credit Counsellor Estate Administrator
FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION 416.455.7709 13 Offices in Ontario Rumanek & Company Ltd. Licensed Insolvency Trustee, Administrators of Proposals & Debt Consolidation Arrangements Head Office Located at 1280 Finch Avenue West, Suite 714, Toronto ON M3J 3K6
nona@rumanek.com
•
www. rumanek.com
publisher in North America and the first woman publisher in Canada. When I learned of this fact, I knew why this woman walked with such confidence; she was born from greatness, and greatness just seemed to be part of her DNA. Irene retold the story of the unveiling of the Mary Ann Shadd Cary statue that was designed by Donna Jean Mayne. It is a moment that Irene said she would never forget; Donna’s contemplative work embodied the strength and perseverance of Mary Ann and added to the artwork found throughout Windsor, including the mural that can be found at the corner of Wyandotte and McDougall. It is no wonder that Irene has grown to be such a force and has begun to stamp out her own legacy. Blessed with communication and diplomacy Throughout her life, Irene has found a way to focus on what is important: family, storytelling, and inspiring and educating her community. What makes her unique is her ability to stay solution focused, regardless of any situation. She has learned that in many situations, deciding on a timely solution to a problem takes precedence over dissecting the development of a problem. One of her objectives is to assist the community in learning how to work together. She believes that individually we are not as smart as we are together. One of the biggest factors that contribute to a community’s success is if its members are able to work together. If you want to find Irene, you will find her actively working within her community. She holds and has held board and committee roles with the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, the North American Black Historical Museum, the North Cultural Community Centre, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Leadership Windsor/Essex, and Book Fest Windsor. It is no wonder that she interacts with people with such ease; her experiences taught her the importance of collaboration. Her interactions showed her that working together helps projects move quicker and with more efficiency. It was not an easy road for Irene; she still had to deal with the difficulties that are faced when you are a woman with resolve. There were times when because of her youth, her gender, and her beauty, she was not taken seriously. Irene had to deal with some of that old boy’s society nonsense that exists in all cultures, and she did it, even though at times, I can only imagine how hard that was.
Fun Fact Irene has a quirky sense of humor. On her Twitter page, her profile reads - Sarcasm queen, music junkie, wannabe historian, semi-professional lipstick collector, amateur poet/painter, crazy lady, and... Oh yeah... college department head! “It is a fountain, not a drain.” ~ Irene Moore Davis
Instead of focusing on the negative, she put all of her efforts into making sure that her voice was heard, in a way that it would not be forgotten. She began to passionately contribute her to time to researching and teaching African history in the Windsor and Essex County. This earned her a 2015 University of Windsor History Department Community Heritage Medal. Her dedication to education was the force behind her contribution of the revised (2015) African Canadian Roads to Freedom Project. Here she partnered with other key members in the community, to develop a curriculum that provided teachers in the Greater Essex County District School Board with information about the culture and contributions of African Canadians. Irene is the author of the book, “The Long Road Continues,” a continuation of the iconic book by Charlotte Bronte Perry, written about African Canadians in Essex County. Irene’s contribution to recording the legacy of Africans of the Windsor/Essex area, along with her research on Canadian Black Settlements is included in the book, “Fluid Frontier; Slavery Resistance, and the Underground Railroad in the Detroit River Borderland,” a book exploring the: legal, political, social, religious, and economic experiences of Essex area’s freedom-seekers and advocates, and how their experiences shaped the meaning of race and management of slavery on both sides of the Detroit River. Now established in her job as the Manager of Continuing Education for St. Clair College, Irene has a natural glow to her, which she says comes from the fact that her work energizes her. Her advice for young women, “Get involved in a variety of causes, know that not everything will speak to you, and find what you love to do!” Remain as beautiful as you are Irene; Toronto Caribbean Newspaper stands behind you!
Personal Injury • Motor Vehicle Accident • Slip and Fall • Long Term Disability
WE WILL HELP YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY “Why us? My answer is simple; We have a team of experienced professionals that respect people, care about your situation and get results.”
~ Anthony Stephen Benjamin LL.B L.S.C, MBA
TORONTO 1018 Finch Avenue West, Unit 301 North York, Ontario M3J 3L5
BRAMPTON 470 Chrysler Drive, Units 1 & 2 Brampton, Ontario L6S 0C1
1-855-899-4878 • 416-736-4994 • www.benjaminlaw.ca
local news
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
PAGE 3
The Children’s Aid Society of Toronto is recruiting five new Board of Directors SHAUNA-KAY CASSELL shauna-kay@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
The Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of Toronto is currently looking to recruit five new Board of Directors by April 17th, 2019. There is a strong impetus by the organization to ensure that the board adequately reflects the demographics of those families being served by the organization; including ethnicity (African Canadian, Indigenous), disability, economic, sexual orientation, and gender identity, or lived experience as former youth in care. “It is a priority for me and the CAS of Toronto to make positive systemic changes in how we work with black families so that we can achieve equitable outcomes for black families, children, and communities,”
expressed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Paul Rosebush. The newly appointed CEO as of September 4th, 2018, knows the importance of delivering highly effective service to communities, whether it is health care or social services. To do so, there is a need to ensure that potential applicants for the board positions come with lived experience, and who fully understand the systemic challenges that lead families into the system. Approximately 55% of clients identified themselves as members of a minority culture or race, and many are newcomers to Toronto. Approximately 63% live below the poverty line, and 51% of families are single mothers. “Part of this work includes seeing that our Anti-Oppression, Anti-Racism policy is fully implemented in every area of our work as well as ensuring that we have strong black representation on our board,” maintained Rosebush. CAS of Toronto recognizes that the decision makers have to mirror those families or clients it serves; by being acutely aware of the importance of cultural sensitivity, as well as the challenges a newcomer family encounters with the child welfare agencies. “We are really changing the conversation that
we used to have. We haven’t always had that right. We are on a mission to work with people, partners, families who come out on the other side and who want to make a lasting change. Having an inclusive, diverse board can really strengthen that,” said Alicia Pereira, Director, Communications of CAS of Toronto. While approximately 32% of children and youth in care in 2017-18 were black, this demographic only represents 8% of the city’s population under age 18. “We work hand-inhand, having a conversation with the families that come to us. It’s all about prevention and ensuring that the families get the help they need,” expressed Pereira. The CAS of Toronto has a total of 19 Board of Directors, and five of those are currently vacant. The positions are on a volunteer basis where members are expected to commit a minimum of three years, and approximately 12 to 15 hours per month on board-related activities. The board-related activities include attending, preparing, and participating in board and committee meetings, building, maintaining, and strengthening relationships, alliances, and networks in support of the CAS of Toronto, and leveraging
resources in support of the organization. The board members must live or work in Toronto, and be willing to support the board’s expectations and purposes, that is to provide guidance on organizational directions to the CAS of Toronto. Choosing to be a Board of Director for CAS of Toronto will be a rewarding one because it is an opportunity to represent our community and be the voice of the children that come from our community. “Our community does need to be represented on the board as a lot of our children end up in the system. For us to be able to do what is right by the kids, decisions need to be made by people who understand them,” concluded Pereira. Therefore, applicants with African Canadian ethnicity are invited to join the board and apply by April 17th, 2019, before applications close. For more information please contact Clavel Lyttle at lyttle@TorontoCAS.ca or Alicia Pereira by phone: 416-924-4646, ext. 2086, or by email: AlPereira@TorontoCAS.ca. Also, please visit the CAS of Toronto website,http:// torontocas.ca/news/join-our-board to learn more about the Board positions.
DISCOUNT AIRFARES AND HOTEL PACKAGES Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica & The Caribbean
Toronto Toronto to Guyana toTrinidad
starting from $ o/w $ CAD
444 668
r/t CAD
starting from $ o/w $ CAD
223 445
Fly with
Fly with
AMERICAN AIRLINES Via Miami
CARIBBEAN AIRLINES Daily Flights
r/t CAD
All taxes included. Rates are subject to change without notice & airline availability. Rates valid at time of art work submission. Blackout date apply. Airline baggage fees are not included in above rates. American Airlines flights will connect in Miami.
TRAVELSPAN
For Reservations: 647-557-6200 or travelspan.com
10 Locations In The USA, Guyana & Trinidad To Serve You! QUEENS 121-04 Liberty Ave. Richmond Hill NY
BROOKLYN 3408 Church Ave. Brooklyn NY
GEORGETOWN Lot 3A North Rd. Georgetown GY
BERBICE 10 Main/Church St. New Amsterdam
BERBICE Lot 55 South Public Rd. Rose Town Hall
RUIMZEIGHT 22 Public Road Ruimzeight, WCD
CHAGUANAS Mid Centre Mall Chaguanas, T&T
PORT OF SPAIN Capital Plaza Mall Level 1, Frederick St., T&T
VALSAYN Valpark Shopping Plz Valsayn South, T&T
SAN FERNANDO Cross Crossing Shopping Lady Hailes Ave, T&T
SCARBOROUGH:
NOW SERVING THE PICKERING, AJAX AND OSHAWA AREAS BRING IN YOUR HONDA TODAY FOR OUR
NO-CHARGE
Multi-Point Inspection & 1 Year Roadside Assistance Program*
FLAT TIRE CHANGE
TOWING
EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION
GAS
BATTERY BOOST
LOCKOUT SERVICES
YOU CAN DEPEND ON
Call Us or Come in Today
HWY 410 + MAYFIELD RD www.performancehonda.ca
905.460.3760
* Eligible on 2001-2015 Honda vehicles (vehicles with existing Honda Plus warranties are not eligible under this program). Offer is valid for Ontario residents only. Performance Honda Mayfield reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Additional conditions and limitations may apply. Please contact Performance Honda Mayfield for details.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
The taste! The aroma! The drama! SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER Continued From Page 1 -- The contestant’s culinary expertise will be tested each episode through a series of Mystery Box Challenges, Team Challenges, and Pressure Tests. They have their work cut out for them this year because the contestants have to face some tough judges. They include Michael Bonacini (O&B restaurant empire), Alvin Leung (Bo Innovation in Hong Kong), and Claudio Aprile (Copetin Restaurant & Bar). The judges will be responsible for eliminating a different chef each week until only two remain, who will battle during the finale for a chance to take home $100,000. Why should our Torontonians, especially those who represent the Scarborough area be excited about this? Well, that is a great story. Let me introduce to you Andre Bhagwandat, an employee of Toronto General Hospital, and our community representative this year on MASTERCHEF CANADA. He was born in Scarborough and traveled back and forth from the land of his decedents, Jamaica. He had the fortune of experience to complete different school systems, both here, and back in Jamaica, but he finally ended up settling in Scarborough, where he lived with his Auntie Joan. There were five members living in the house at the time, and Auntie Joan was not playing. She made sure that every member of that family had to help out, and that included cooking. Andre’s cooking day was Mondays, and one rule of the family was regardless of how the food tasted, they would all have to eat it. Andre admits to being nervous his first cooking attempt. He was 13 or 14 years old, and he figured he would make something that he had seen his family members make both here and back in Jamaica; curry chicken. The family sat down to eat,
and the only comment his aunt made to him was, “Maybe you need more salt next time!” Andre had put in every ingredient except the salt. Easy beginners mistake, but he still laughs at it till this day. Each and every Monday, Andre would try something new. Once he had mastered the curry, he decided to upgrade to roti. For some reason, Andre had this thing about missing key ingredients. This time, he kept forgetting to put baking soda. When talking about this, Andre chuckled; each time he would forget the baking soda, he would notice that there were no bubbles, just flat roti. Of course, Auntie made them eat it anyway. Over time, Andre began to evolve as a cook, and he took on grilling, which meant jerk everything: jerk chicken, jerk pork, you name it, he could jerk it. People in his family and in his community began to see that this young man had some skills in the kitchen. Interestingly enough, creating is just something that Andre is able to do. He is known in his family as being the Jack-of-all-Trades; he has dabbled in: house renovations, drawing, sewing, and painting. A lucky young woman saw the greatness of this young man and decided that she would marry him. Good call girl! Andre retells how, and why he even considered joining MASTERCHEF CANADA. He and his wife were watching Amazing Race when the casting call appeared on the screen. His wife, who he dutifully cooks for because she has to pull 12-hour shifts at the hospital, saw this as an opportunity for Andre to showcase his skills. He had never thought of doing something like this, but he knew with the support of his family and community, anything was possible. Andre auditioned and was chosen as one of the 18 contestants. Let us support this young man by tuning in on Monday, April 8th beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV. The show will settle into its regular Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT timeslot. Viewers can then stream all episodes anytime on CTV.ca and the CTV app. This season, fans are invited to visit CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada for exclusive content, including background on the Season 6 finalists. Andre, the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper team stands behind you, and we know you will be successful.
local news
PAGE 5
PROUDLY SERVING THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY SINCE 2012 Serving All Faiths & Religions
Significant
Some goodbyes are more
than others
We understand how difficult it is to lose a loved one. Our compassionate and caring team work hard each and every day to make sure that the members of our community and beyond are taken care of during such a difficult time. For advice on what to do when a loved one is dying, making funeral arrangements, pre-arranging your own funeral, or anything else, please feel free to contact us, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We promise to work with you and your family in your time of need to create the perfect memorial service for your loved one. We will be here for you today, as well as tomorrow. AMPLE PARKING - OVER 250 SPACES 3 VISITATION SUITES WITH OVER 1000 SEATING CAPACITY PRE ARRANGEMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE
30 Bramwin Court, Brampton, Ontario, L6T 5G2 905-458-2222 | www.bcvc.info
NEW CANE GROVE FAMILY RESTAURANT OPENING THE 2ND WEEK OF APRIL
Serving The BEST Quality Guyanese Chinese Cuisine
GRAND OPENING SPECIALS ALL SPECIALS ARE CASH ONLY
$26.99
Bucket &Wing
25
$37.99
MEDIUM TRAY SPECIAL CHICKEN CHOWMEIN
$35.00
$37.99
Licensed Under LLBO • HALAL Queen Street
DINE IN • TAKE OUT • CATERING
Special 5 BEERS & WINGS
MEDIUM TRAY SPECIAL CHICKEN FRIED RICE
SMALL TRAY PEPPER SHRIMP FRIED RICE
00
2 Kennedy Road South Brampton, ON L6W 3E1 Tel: 905-497-1883
Rutherford Road
$26.99
SMALL TRAY SPECIAL CHICKEN CHOWMEIN
Kennedy Road
SMALL TRAY SPECIAL CHICKEN FRIED RICE
Steeles Ave.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
local news
I know my rights officer; The OIPRD strip search report MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Ontario’s Independent Police Review Director, Gerry McNeilly had a lot to say on March 21st, 2019 when he released his systemic review report on police strip searches in Ontario. Amongst his findings in this report were the copious strip searches by Ontario police that were illegal, unjustified, and intruded on the rights of the persons being searched. As a result of this, many cases have been thrown out of court on the grounds that the searches were conducted against the codes that have been provided. The unfortunate part about this is that the findings also revealed that Toronto Police Services carried out the majority of these searches. This report revealed other inconsistencies in the way police handle strip searches across the province; many officers lacked the knowledge as to how and when strip searches should be conducted, and to add insult to injury, there is a significant shortage in strip search data collection, documentation and officer training.
Canada’s Supreme Court defined what a strip search really is, and when and how it can be legally done. The Canadian Charter of Rights states that everyone has the right to be secured against unreasonable search and seizure contrary to section eight of the charter. What is a strip search? A strip search does not necessarily involve the complete removal of the subject’s clothing. What the community needs to know is that if you are asked to remove or rearrange your clothing to permit the visual inspection of your undergarments or private areas that is also considered a strip search. In 1997, Toronto Police Officers arrested a Mr. Ian Golden for cocaine trafficking. Golden was strip-searched and a package of crack cocaine was removed from his buttocks. Golden appealed his drug trafficking conviction to the Supreme Court of Canada, on the grounds that he was searched illegally contrary to section eight of the charter. The Supreme Court overturned his conviction and acquitted Mr. Golden of the charges. McNeilly stated, “It is extremely concerning that almost two decades after the Golden decision, police continue to conduct strip searches in violation of the law. This comes with a high cost to those affected by the intrusive search and to the justice system especially where an unlawful search results in the exclusion of evidence or the staying of charges.” “Front line officers and their super-
visors are the ones that make the decisions as to who gets searched, when, and how the strip search occurs,” McNeilly stated. “I find that many police forces do not have an annual refresher training course specific to strip searches.” The OIPRD findings reveal that Ontario Police Services have not generally kept race-related statistics of their interactions with members of the public and this leaves one to wonder why? The Ontario Human Rights Commission, as recently as last December, found that Toronto police has been disproportionately targeting blacks and other people of color for a very long time. Could the absence of race-related recordkeeping in strip searches be convenient? If the OHRC findings last December are to be used as a weather indicator on transparency and accountability in this province, one can safely say that the forecast does not look too bright for minorities in Ontario. McNeilly expresses serious concerns about the role race plays in how and if a search is conducted; as a result, it is now recommended that strip searches are done only when needed and in accordance with the law. It is important to note that Toronto Police Officers are said to have conducted the most searches across this province; they have even introduced new measures including a full body scanner, pilot project, and x-ray.
PAGE 7
THINKING OF ADVERTISING YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE?
Forbidden music on the forbidden shore SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
It is mind-blowing to think that because of political powers, the world has not been exposed to a dynamic movement happening on the beautiful island of Cuba. Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited for the first time to be a part of the CineCuba Film Festival, 2019. It is a three-day festival celebrating Cuba’s 60th year of independence, the birth of the Cuban Film Commission, and the special, more than 75-year relationship between Canada and Cuba. The Festival ran from March 29th-31st at the gorgeously restored, historic Royal Cinema located at 608 College Street. The opening night of the film festival was a smashing success. Assisting with the organization of this event was the Pennant Media Group, founded by PR veteran Kevin Pennant. His team including: Media Relations Consultant, Cameron Thomas. Public Relations Consultant Ruth Milikin, Social Media Specialist, Tracy Ward, and Digital Designer, Arnaldo Quintini, have developed a track record of successful campaigns including red carpet blockbuster film premieres and a multitude of charitable initiatives. They remain focused on working with remarkable change makers and utilizing traditional and non-traditional media to connect the message to the community. Another indispensable element
of the CineCuba Film Festival was director, producer, and prolific independent filmmaker Ron Chapmen. Chapman is the Managing Director, and Head of Broadcast Production at Brand Works, a privately held full-service marketing and communication company. For over 20 years, his agency has successfully launched a variety of Canadian and Global brands into the marketplace including: Esquire Watch, The Globe and Mail, Mr. Sub, and Movado to name a few. This time around, Canadian-born Ron Chapman wanted to take on a new challenge and shed light on a situation that many around the world had no idea about. It started when he visited Cuba about eight years ago and was overwhelmed at what he didn’t know. He was taken back by the diversity of the music and how very little Cuban music is known or played internationally. Like everything, there is a story, and Ron saw the necessity of creating a visual art piece that would help clear up the myths about Cuba and the Cuban people. He thought that the best way to do so was to share their great diversity of musical talent, and the unique creative relationships the artists have with each other formed off their need for pure passionate art. Cuba has always had an open relationship with Canada that has continued despite the considerable pressure from the United States to join the embargo that was put on Cuba after the 1959 revolution. Chapman’s main objective is to educate the public about the music of Cuba, their artistic process, and how the embargo has affected the island for many years. After the Cuban Revolution, there was no longer the same ability for Cuban artists to travel, meet, play or be influenced by foreign artists. Multinational record companies connected with the United States were forbidden to sign any artists from the island,
making it difficult for the great talent residing there to be recognized. As a result of this, the island developed a musical community that was not influenced at all by Western culture. The music was created for the Cuban people, and it reflected their: culture, society, politics, and daily lives. They did not have the outside influences including: popular radio stations, television stations, newspaper, magazines, or the Internet that is available to the majority of the world population. The artists continued to influence each other but did not have the opportunity to go outside the country and mingle with other artists. There are 40 artists in the film, and some that were left on the cutting room floor, not because they were not great, but because of time limitations. I had the amazing opportunity of meeting and interviewing Latin Grammy Awardwinning Telmary Diaz, a beautiful, and powerful Spoken Word, and Hip-Hop artist who happened to be in Canada for the premiere. She has defeated many odds, and her joy has been being recognized as the first female Hip-Hop artist out of Cuba to get national acclaim. Although she has released three albums, been featured over 64 times, has been nominated for a Juno, and is the recipient of the first Cuba Disco Award, she remains deeply connected with her Afro-Cuban religious roots, and this is seen in her highly spiritual performances. The already fantastic evening was not complete without a special set performed by Telmary and her 8-piece band. All proceeds from the night’s ticket sales were donated to Cuban tornado relief, and one can only hope, that this documentary will open the eyes of the viewers, so they can see the wonderful talent that has been kept hidden from the world.
$5.00 From Every Ad Per Edition Is Donated To THE CARIBBEAN CHILDREN FOUNDATION Canadian Charitable Number 86498 5726 RROOO1
Since 2000 The Caribbean Children Foundation has extended the life line to over 200 children
BY ADVERTISING WITH THE TORONTO CARIBBEAN NEWSPAPER YOU CAN HELP IN AIDING A CHILD IN NEED OF MEDICAL CARE TO
AD
VE
VO
RT
LU
IS
E:
WH 20 AT 17... AY EAR ! T an he E O d a xit ev ne m New of O pr ents ajor Tru bam pr esid thro ev m a en omis entia ug ent p E Am ds. ed l el hout that ra eric Wha som ectio the push a ha t th e de n. ye st H d to e gree It w ar w arted trovillar da ersiy Clin an entir of as an as th vari St tic e m te w al to ipat Unichan evene 20 ous ca ates m arke ho cons n or 16 e w ted ge be use . Thi on t th vi opho d byse en erva Don as fr caus it br s w ews. bic, ac tire tiv ald the States bothat th om e it ougheven elec of co as T To xe cusa elec e R Tru min rum m no tio tio ep m the at ni the ge igni t abt was tio uc ph ns ub p, g n un ght of ne ted ou hi the p whoh of obic of n ca lican the ra t ne st fore 45 ex the an his mpa ca con seenNov l Am ange ededorical th ig nd d . Wembe ericanr an ch no Prescelle world mis racist n w i ith r 8, pud di ange t be idend in ’s su ogyn , ho as a fa 20 blic sple bu th rp t of e ri istic rew 16, w asur t the end, se, it ell witn ho on e Uni be to esse ted Pres d i
64
7-7
22
-62
98
•
ME
6
•
IS
LIN
E:
ER YT
HIN
TO R
G
ON
TO C
E
YO
U
AR
BER
PTEM
SU
EV
ON
IB
22
SE AY,
W
ED
NE
SD
AY ,D
ME
EC
NE
ED
BE
20TH
2017
NESD
•
AN
.C
IN
OM
ON
E
NE
BE
R
27
TH
ADVE
SP AP
20
17
6298
2E7R72
E: 64
6 •
15
ED • W
OU
GY
THIN
W
RTIS
TO
VOLU
EM
E ISSU
RY EVE INE:
NL • O
NTO
TORO
D IN
NEE
ING P L E H NDS HA
E
ON
M
CO
EAN.
BB CARI
PER
SPA
NEW
PAGE 8
local news
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Over 100 black girls attend Inaugural Empower Her Roots Conference simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Black girl magic filled Durham District School Board’s Education Centre this past Friday for the Empower Her Roots Conference. Approximately 140 unique and giddy girls, grades six to eight from schools in Ajax and Pickering attended the first-ever event. DDSB is responsible for public education in the rural settings of Uxbridge, Brock and Scugog Townships and the urban settings of Ajax, Whitby, Pickering, and Oshawa. Kimberly Brathwaite, Communications Officer of Durham District School Board, explains the importance of young women going on and influencing others in their community. “We wanted to make an impact that they could also share with their peers and others they know,” said Brathwaite. The Empower Her Roots Conference strives to enhance the well-being and success of these young girls in their
to witness, as there is an underrepresentation of black females in every work industry. The speakers showed the girls that no matter what they look like, they could succeed in any work environment that they want to be in. Empower Her has proven itself to be a necessity for some of these young girls; it promotes selfesteem in the girls through racial and cultural connections. The lives of black girls in Canada are noticeably absent from literature. Workshops and listening to guest speakers at conferences like Empower Her reminds black girls in the community that they are in control of being the author of their own stories. The tremendous success of the
event has shown promise for growth in other parts of the Greater Toronto Area. They desire to empower, uplift and give a voice to future female leaders so they can see the importance of setting high goals to achieve their full potential. With the promise of more to come, Brathwaite remains resolute in promoting and conducting more events like this one. “All of the attendees left with smiles on their faces and ready to lead,” say’s Brathwaite. That is truly all we can ask for. Thank you Durham District School Board for going above and beyond for the community.
All Day Lunch Special Roti or Rice + Doubles + Pop Chicken or Vegetarian Special Roti or Rice Tuesday Special Roti or Rice Bone-in Chicken, Boneless Chicken, Shrimp, Bone-in Goat, Vegetarian
s e l b u o D e v i F Buy ne Free! Get O EVERY DAY SPECIAL
8 65 6 99 5
99
Debe’s
Finch Ave. W Jane St.
SIMONE SMITH
school and community. The conference provided them with tools and ideas that they can apply in their everyday lives. The girls were also able to connect to their roots enabling many of them to visualize their future success. The day started with an opening speech from the Chair of the Board, Michael Barrett, Trustee Patrice Barnes, and a video message from Director of Education, Lisa Millar. Michael Barrett is a strong advocate of community representation; and believes in the community having a voice, and strives to have equity for all communities. Barrett has been a strong advocate for diversity and often speaks at conferences around the Greater Toronto Area. Lisa Millar has worked on reports that focus on: inclusion, curriculum modification, progressive discipline, character education and recently the impact of poverty on school success, and a blueprint for addressing poverty in Ontario schools. Throughout the conference, the girls heard from inspiring black professional women from the GTA, including: a doctor, lawyer, police officers, and an Olympian. They spoke on topics ranging from: body image to shadism, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), mental health and self-esteem. This was important for the girls
2881 Jane Street Toronto, ON M3N 2J5 Tel: (416) 839-9874
ORDER ONLINE
Yorkwoods Gt.
Sheppard Ave. W.
OVER
Including Curry Chicken, Stew Chicken, Rice, Dhal, Dhalpurie, Sada Roti, Paratha, Fry Bake, Channa and Aloo, Bhaji, Curry Mango, Baigan Choka,Fried Baigan, Tomato Choka, Tomatoand Saltfish, Fried Bodi, Fried Orcho,Pumpkin, Fry Aloo, Curry Seim,Saltfish, Smoked Herring, Fried Rice, Fried Chicken & Much More!
PEPPER ROTI AVAILABLE BY ORDER TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
RICE OR ROTI
BONE CHICKEN, CHANNA & ALOO, BONE GOAT THURSDAY
RICE OR ROTI + POP BONE CHICKEN, CHANNA & ALOO, BONE GOAT
4 49 6 49
BRAMPTON LOCATION 263 Queen Street East Unit #2, Monday - Friday 10:00am to 8:00pm Brampton, Ontario, Canada Saturday 9:30am to 8:00pm Telephone:905 487 0888 Sunday 9:30am to 6:00pm
14
49
20
ITEMS
BIG WEEKEND BUFFET BREAKFAST! (Brampton Location Only)
TO CHOOSE FROM!
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
RICE OR ROTI
BONELESS CHICKEN, BONELESS GOAT, DUCK OR SHRIMP
THURSDAY
RICE OR ROTI + POP
BONELESS CHICKEN, BONELESS GOAT, DUCK OR SHRIMP
5 49 7 49
MISSISSAUGA LOCATION 3105 Winston Churchill Blvd #3, Monday - Saturday 10:00am - 8:00pm Mississauga, ON L5L 1P5 Sunday - Closed Telephone: 905 997 8119
SOME DISHES AND SPECIALS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE AT OUR MISSISSAUGA LOCATION. PRICE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE CHECK US OUT ONLINE www.Radicas.com
At Radica’s you’ll come hungry and leave happy!
ORDER ONLINE AT JUSTEAT.CA
PAGE 10
local news
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Some people just like their Coffee Black; The Century Room Series SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
I was already tired, but I knew that there was no way I was going to miss this event. Black Coffee was coming to town, and even though I had worked a full day, I had to be there for this. So, I am sure your wondering, who is Black Coffee, and why was it of such importance to be where he was at? Grab yourself a drink, and let’s talk Toronto Nightlife. There are two important elements to this story, and once these elements are clarified, you will have a better understanding as to why my grown ass self was out on a Wednesday night, instead of snuggled in my warm bed. Black Coffee (born Nkosinathi Maphumulo) is a South African Record producer and Dj and is arguably the most remarkable electronic music producer in Africa. What makes this man such a formidable being, is the fact that at a young age, Black Coffee was involved in a taxi accident that left him without the use of his left arm. The accident happened to occur on a very significant day in South Africa; it was on the day of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. These two events interlaced and changed the course of Black Coffee’s life forever. Although life was heavy for a while, he remains grateful for how the day shaped his life, and he celebrates this day. He made a promise to himself to explore all his talents, and to do everything God wanted him to do. His official career began around 1995, and he has released explosive albums, he was chosen as a participant in the 2004 Red Bull Music Academy held in Cape Town, and in 2015, he won the Breakthrough DJ of the Year Award in Ibiza. With only one arm, Black Coffee has been able to achieve heights in his career that surpass the average imagination. This is exactly why I had to see this man for myself when he made his return to Toronto for the Century Room Series. Black Coffee has just released a 7-track EP that has reenergized the underground music world and reminded us that he has not completed his evolution. There was a beauty to the sound; it held fu-
turistic tones, and the drums have a way of making you forget that you are surrounded by hundreds of people, each in their own worlds; true Afropolitan house music. It was very important to understand Black Coffee, now, let’s introduce the cream. Ralf Madi is one of the biggest names in Contemporary Urban Culture. If you want to know what is happening in the urban culture scene, Madi would be the man to ask. Madi and his team are the ones responsible for the monthly arrival of King West’s longstanding weekday event series. They call them the weekdays that become the weekend inside Everleigh located at 580 King St W, Toronto, Ontario. His events remain highlights because of the work that Madi puts in. He says that anyone who wants to live a life of partying can do it and survive if they are determined and follow some rules of the trade. His life in the entertainment industry started early. His first attempt was at 17 years old when he decided to throw a birthday party for himself at a local Mississauga club. He was ingenious at such a young age and bartered with the owner of the club; he promised to bring in the biggest crowd possible in return for waiving the cover charge. The club owners would then be able to make their money through bar sales. As his popularity and success grew, he moved onto larger venues, and finally made it, filling one of the largest entertainment venues in Toronto at that time, the Guvernment. His successes have not slowed him down, nor has it made him cocky. He continues to adhere to the rules of the trade and has evolved along beside them. He reminds people who are interested in getting into this industry to: • • • • •
Do it for the passion, not the money. The money will come in time Stay one step ahead of your competition; play chess, not checkers Be a trendsetter Stay aware of what makes the youngest demographic click because they are your future customers. Keep it personal and maintain direct contact with as many clients as you can
Many of us business owners could learn a thing or two from Ralf Madi. You can check him out at http://www.ralfmadi. com/. Thank you again for making it an experience. My morning coffee with cream, please!
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
local news
PAGE 11
Helping disenfranchised youth through leadership; Boston Pizza Celebrity Server Night MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Helping disenfranchised youths get ahead educationally through leadership and empowerment is what the Citizens for the Advancement of Community Development (CACD) is all about. Since 2014 they have been partnering with the famous Boston Pizza at 35 Square One Drive in Mississauga to make this a reality. The franchise owner of Boston Pizza Armin Bansal told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper “This is a great opportunity for bringing community and business together under the same roof.” It was amazing to see how the event was executed; the leadership candidates from CACD paired up with MPS, MPPS,
collectors, and members of the Boston Pizza team, and became part of the serving team. Boston Pizza not only provided the experience for these candidates, but they also donated 10% of the money that was collected in sales from 6:00pm-9:00 pm to CACD. A number of political figures and a sponsor were on hand on Thursday, March 28th, 2019, to lend their support towards a deserving cause. Omar Alghabra, a Member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre explained the importance of supporting the youth; “I am here to offer my support to CACD for this workshop that works with young people on empowering them, training them, preparing them for their future career, and getting them engaged in community and society.” Sheref Sabawy, MPP for Mississauga Erin Mills, took a moment to speak with us; “Our government is trying to open Ontario for business, and we are getting closer to businesses to understand their challenges, how we can help, and how can we remove some of the obstacles or red tape. Anything we can do to help businesses prosper and grow. One way is by attending and talking to the people to understand
what their issues are at the grassroots level. When I ask someone, “When is the last you saw or met your MP,” and they say, “Never,” there is something wrong.” Mr. Mark Skidmore, Manager of Facility Maintenance Operations at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada donated a gift basket for the door prize and said his company just loves to help when they can. The CACD Founder and Executive Director Mr. Ron Cunningham, and his wife Mrs. Sonia Cunningham were present ensuring the event ran as smoothly as possible. Earlier in the week, Mr. Cunningham gave TCN an inside view of how CACD operates. “As an organization, we run a number of programs with the key idea of addressing youth development. It’s a model that says positive development equals: positive experience, positive relationships, and positive environment.” The programs are tailored specifically to address some of the issues these youths are going through, as well as help with life skills. It also assists those students who are looking to complete their volunteer hours for certification. Anyone who has completed 40 hours is presented with a certificate from the city
of Mississauga; when they do 60 hours, they are presented with a certificate from the Ontario Legislature, and when they have completed 75 hours they are presented with a certificate from the House of Commons. Rayan Khan and Athar Elahi are two of the CACD senior students who were present, and they were delighted to be a part of the night. “Ron is doing a fantastic job teaching us, helping us and giving us a hint of the corporate world,” explained Rayan. Athar disclosed some of the skills that he has been taught which include leadership skills, mentoring, and community development, “It’s a really good organization!” Ron took a few final minutes to explain why this program is so important, “Right now I have three members of our board that are under 25, and they were going to high school when I first met them. They have gone on to university and college and are now back helping out at CACD. So many have come back and told me personally what this organization has done for them; it’s a tremendous satisfaction to hear that I am a part of helping people advance in life.”
CANADA’S URBAN MUSIC SUPERSTATION
OLD SCHOOL HIP HOP & R&B YOU’RE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR OLD SCHOOL HIP HOP, R&B, REGGAE, SOCA AND MORE!
Carib101.com
PAGE 12
island news
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
No bail for 2 more charged in sex ring
TRINIDAD -- Two more suspects in a multi-national prostitution ring in west Trinidad, which was busted by police two months ago, have appeared in court for human trafficking. Jan Boa Wang and Wei Liang Wu were denied bail when they appeared before Magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine in the Port-of-Spain Magis trates’ Court yesterday morning, charged with har bouring two Venezuelan minors for the purpose of sexual exploitation. During the hearing, Antoine decided to remove members of the public, including media personnel, from the court as she was about to read the charges, in which the victims’ names were men tioned. The men, who were represented by attor ney Peter Taylor, were kept informed of what was
transpiring in court by a translator fluent in Mandarin Chinese. They were not called upon to plead to the two charges, which were laid indictably. Guardian Me dia un der stands that af ter the process was completed, Cpl Irving Joseph, of the Court and Process Branch, asked Antoine not to consider bail for them until investigators re ceive their criminal record tracing from Interpol. She agreed and adjourned the case to April 29. Under the Trafficking In Persons Act, a person convicted of committing the offence against an adult faces a minimum fine of $500,000 and no less than 15 years in prison. Those who target mi nors are liable to a minimum $1 million fine and no less than 20 years in prison upon conviction. Wang and Wu are the fifth and sixth per sons to be charged over the prostitution ring.
On February 5, a team of police officers from several specialist units, led by Police Com missioner Gary Griffith, raided private properties and businesses in Westmoorings, Woodbrook and Curepe. Dur ing the raids, po lice res cued 19 Venezuelan teenagers who were between the ages of 15 and 19. The girls remain in protective custody. One month later, Chinese-born Guyanese national Jinfu Zhu and his 23-year-old Venezuelan girlfriend Solient Torres were charged with 43 of fences pertaining to the raid. The couple was jointly charged with 22 charges under the Sexual Offences Act for operating a brothel at Zhu’s rented home in Westmoorings on specific dates between Septem ber 17 last year and January 1 this year. Torres re ceived 20 additional charges for aiding and abetting
prostitution between September last year and Feb ruary this year. They were also jointly charged under the Proceeds of Crime Act for being possession of TT$80,000, US$2,393 and other small amounts of assorted currency, knowing that the funds were the proceeds of crime. Zhu and Torres were denied bail during the first court appearance and again as they reap peared in court last week due to delays in obtaining their Interpol tracing. They are expected to apply for bail when they return to court on April 17. Two Chinese nationals who were held in the raid have also appeared in court for assembling to gamble and for ammunition possession. - Trinidad Guardian
Jamaica remains on flu alert, says health ministry JAMAICA -- The Ministry of Health Monday re minded the public that the country was still on the influenza alert status announced by Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton in Parliament in February. At the same time, the ministry confirmed that there have been deaths that resulting from complications arising from influenza, including H1N1, and reminded the public to “pay attention to the daily reminders in the print, electronic and social media and encourage all stakeholders to adhere to and practise all protocols relating to handwashing, sneezing and coughing etiquette and use of public spaces and facilities”. The ministry was responding to growing concerns about the spread of the flu and, in particu lar, an appeal by retired veteran broadcaster Allan Magnus for more information after his wife, Kerry, succumbed to H1N1 two weeks ago. On February 12, Tufton had announced in the House that the health authorities had seen a significant increase in the number of cases of fever and respiratory or flu-like illnesses. He said that, in preparation for this flu season, a total of 21,900 doses of influenza vaccine were purchased by the Ministry of Health through
the Pan-American Health Organization Revolving Fund for Vaccines, and distributed to parish health departments in late October 2018. He also said that vaccination of target groups commenced in Novem ber 2018. The vaccine, he said, is offered free of cost in the public health system to the following high-priority groups: • Health care workers; • Children and elderly with chronic illnesses; • Pregnant women; • Individuals who are institutionalised or in State care; and •Non-health front-line workers.
illnesses. “We mustn’t take it lightly,” he said. “We have enough vaccine to deal with front line workers, the vulnerable groups, the young, the old and otherwise,” he added. Monday the health ministry said it wished to highlight that the H1N1 virus (pandemic strain 09) has been in circulation in the island since 2009 and cases have been identified each year since, except for 2015. “This virus has a great potential to cause epidemics and pandemics, and therefore every ef fort must be made to prevent its spread by adhering to strict hygiene protocol, immunisation of high-risk persons, and seeking medical attention when ill, so that treatment can commence at its earliest. While the majority of cases are mild, all influenza viruses have the potential to cause severe illness,” the min istry said. It said it has already increased its public awareness campaign and has instituted enhanced infection control measures in public hospitals and health facilities. “In addition, all clinicians have been re sensitised to the protocol surrounding treatment and care of the members of the public who present with
Tufton also encouraged private health care provid ers to procure the influenza vaccine through private distributors in order to provide for the general popu lation. A few days later, in an address at the launch of the health ministry’s Compassionate Care Programme in Montego Bay, Tufton noted that H1N1 was the main flu virus going around and that the authorities have seen a lot of upper respiratory
symptoms related to any strain of influenza,” the ministry explained. The ministry also said it has “increased stocks of medication in hospitals and health facilities to respond to [any] increase in the number of per sons hospitalised”. In addition, the extended open ing hours at health centres have been continued and expanded to provide access to at-risk popula tions to include the elderly and children under five years old. The ministry reiterated that the flu is to be taken seriously, as it can lead to pneumonia and blood infections, and cause diarrhoea and seizures in children. “The flu can also worsen chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease. Persons at highest risk of dangerous complications from the flu are infants and young children, adults 60 years and older, pregnant women, and persons with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems,” the ministry stated. Influenza A H1N1 is an acute respiratory infection caused by the Influenza Type A H1N1 virus and is one of a number of viruses that result in sea sonal influenza in the island annually. - Jamaica Observer
Assets of 96 people frozen in 4-year period: FIU TRINIDAD -- From 2015 to March 2019, almost 100 people and groups have been added to the state’s consolidated list of terrorists whose assets in local financial institutions were ordered to be frozen. The list, which includes 96 people and groups as of March 25, 2019, also orders local banks not to do any business with those people and entities. The latest addition to the list was the Pak istan-based Tariq Gidar Group by a High Court order on March 25. The first person was Trinidadian Imam Kareem Ibrahim, who was convicted in 2012 for conspiring to commit a terrorist act at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York in 2006 by exploding fuel tanks and the fuel pipeline under the airport. He was sentenced to life in prison by a US District Judge in 2012. Ibrahim’s name was first added to the list, which is available on the Financial Intelligence Unit’s website, in 2015. Banks in T&T are bound by Section 55(3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act, chapter 11:27, to re port any suspicious financial transactions within 14 days of a transaction if they believe the funds used were the proceeds of a specified offence. Failure to do so can land bank staff in jail for two years and lead to them being fined $500,000 on summary con viction. If they are indicted and convicted, they can
face a fine of $3 million and a seven-year jail sen tence. But Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) managing director and chief executive of ficer Nigel Romano told Guardian Media there is no set criteria for reporting a transaction but rather certain red flags that bank employees must look for. Romano is also a director of the Bankers’ Associa tion of T&T (BATT). “I don’t think there is a definition but there are red flags that you look for in making that de termination and once we report, the authorities will do their own investigation. The point is what you are doing is trying to establish the bonafides of the transaction, so somebody who is doing business with you and is a small business person and you know the business, you are not going to query every transaction,” he explained. “Somebody who comes in to open an ac count, whether business or personal, you are go ing to ask—why do you need this account? Where would the money come from? What kind of deposits can we expect? The volume of deposits and the av erage size of deposits—then we would monitor that against the activity.” He said the JMMB Know Your Customer (KYC) policy is used by bank staff to weed out po tential illegal activities.
Using the example of customers deposit ing large sums of cash from vehicle sales, Romano said, “I would say not accepting funds from cus tomers is overkill. It’s stupid because in that case, you could probably show them a copy of the certified copy of the vehicle to show what type of vehicle it was, along with the receipt. “The point is, you don’t want to stop peo ple from doing business and for me, it is important that if you have any concerns, you are reporting it. And is it every week you are coming in and saying you sold a vehicle? “Your bankers should know you, that is what KYC is about. For instance, if I know you are working and every three years, you sell a vehi cle—that’s not an issue but if every week you come in with money and say you sold a vehicle, that is a problem.” Large sums of cash are always a red flag and if employees are suspicious and decide to report the transaction, there is a specific criterion which must be followed. “We can’t tell the person we are going to report the transaction, you are not supposed to warn them, that is very clear. It is our duty to report, but the point is we also want to be very clear that we will not encourage or promote illegal activity in any way, shape or form.”
Asked if using KYC might allow transac tions that are not legal to slip through the cracks, Romano said, “Over time I don’t think so, again KYC—the point is that business runs in a certain way and like anything else, the outliers are what should cause you to question and investigate. You ought to file your report and let the authorities inves tigate.” He said the banks also use software that will flag any name from the consolidated list that ap pears in their system. “Those lists are up dat ed all the time and the software is also updated immediately, so if somebody comes to open an account, we will check the list and the software will flag them.” He said in the event someone who al ready has an account with the bank is put on the consolidated list, the bank has the power to freeze their assets and inform the FIU. “If they are on the list they shouldn’t have an account with the bank, because we would not open the account. If you have an account in the bank and you come on the list, the bank can close the account or it can leave it open. However, if we leave it open we have to report quarterly to the FIU.” - Trinidad Guardian
GEM S Wholesale Meat & Fish Shop
SALE PRICE VALID FROM APRIL 3RD - APRIL 16TH
Monday: CLOSED | Tuesday:10:00am - 6:00pm | Wednesday: 10:00am - 6:00pm | Thursday: 10:00am - 7:00pm Friday: 10:00am - 8:00pm | Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm | Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
1 WEEK ONLY
Frozen Oxtail
5
Frozen Goat Tripe
3
XTRA Black Pepper
2
Parrot Fish
49 /LB
49 /LB
88 /EA.
1 WEEK ONLY
Tastee Cheese 2.2lb
29
/EA.
Yellow Yam
Red Snapper
/LB
2 FOR
10
99
Pig Tail 5lb
2
79
99
4
88
Marshall’s Salted Fish Fillet
/EA.
BOX 99
41
/BOX
King Fish
BOX 99
34
/BOX
Easter Bun and Cheese available. BOX Get your Fried Fish, Bammy and Festival for Easter at 99 GEMS HOUSE OF JERK /BOX CALL TO PLACE YOUR ORDER 905-494-0944 | 647-338-6454
39
55 Selby Rd. Unit 2A Brampton ON L6W 1K5 TEL: 905.457.2378 | WE’RE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
GEM S Wholesale Meat & Fish Shop
HUNGRY? CHECK OUT OUR RESTAURANT LOCATIONS FOR DAILY SPECIALS! MONDAY Stew Chicken
Includes a water or a pop
6 00 +TAX
TUESDAY Fried Chicken
Includes a water or a pop
6 00 +TAX
WEDNESDAY Jerk Chicken Includes a water or a pop
6 00 +TAX
THURSDAY Curry Chicken Includes a water or a pop
9980 Airport Road, Unit 5 Brampton, ON
20 Gillingham Dr. Unit 605 Brampton, ON
TEL: 905.494.0944
TEL: 905.453.6454
(BOVAIRD & AIRPORT RD.)
(BOVAIRD & HURONTARIO)
6 00 +TAX
PAGE 14
island news
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
55 Linden women honoured, in observance of International Women’s Day GUYANA -- The National Congress of Women (NCW), under the patronage of Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valarie Yearwood, on Sunday evening, honoured 55 Linden women as part of the body’s activities in observance of International Women’s Day, which was celebrated on March 8th, around the world. Each woman was awarded with trophies and $10,000, at a gala dinner, held at the Watooka Guest House. The awardees were all deemed grassroots women and were celebrated for their exemplary service over the years in various capacities. Those honoured were janitors, security guards, entrepreneurs, fire women, electricians, drivers, barbers, community workers, seamstress and newspaper vendors. In attendance were Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally, Minister Valarie Yearwood, Chairman of the NCW-Linden branch, Denise Belgrave along with other regional officials. Ally, gave the feature address and congratulated the women
for being a catalyst of community development and inspiration to others. “You are here today because you resisted, you insisted, you were persistent and you pressed for progress, in order to achieve your goals. Your energy and dedication are truly inspiring,” she said. The minister reassured the women, that her government remains committed to ensuring that gender equality is promoted in society, thus ensuring that women are empowered. “Today I am here to assure you, that this government remains committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women, in all spheres of life, we will continue to work in collaboration with all partners so as to facilitate progress and empowerment of women.” In this regard, the women were encouraged to get involved in politics and to become the trail blazers, in setting the stage for a more equal society. “We need more women to be trail blazers in order to build more equal societies…as we press for progress, let the challenge for this year be, to make the women of the past
proud, the women of the current inspired and the women of the future envisioned.” The awardees were encouraged to become their sisters’ keepers by supporting and realising their visions, so that more women can play an integral role in transforming our nation into an economic powerhouse. Men too, she said, must play their role in supporting the women, thus contributing vigorously to social cohesion, economic growth, peace and prosperity. Also addressing the women, was chairman Belgrave, who also congratulated the women for their social, economic, cultural and personal achievements and encouraged them to remove all barriers and stumbling blocks to empowerment and equality since societies will flourish, if women are given equal respect and not taken for granted. She reminded the women that they are special and powerful beyond measure and these qualities should be celebrated every day. The women were treated to a sumptuous dinner in a well decorated hall. They were also
serenaded with songs of empowerment and were treated to ball room dancing, before taking the dance floor themselves. Awardee Keisha Griffith, a community worker of Ituni, said that she feels honoured that her passion and efforts to make her community a better place have been recognised. “I felt encouraged and proud to be among women who are hard workers, who strive to make our society a great one.” In addition to the 55 women, Minister Yearwood surprised four other members of the NCW, including Belgrave. Receiving the minister’s award was Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Maylene Stephens. Finally Minister Yearwood was also surprisingly honoured by the NCW women. International Women’s day was celebrated under the theme, “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. For the month the NCW, held a church service, games night and also distributed florals to deserving women on March 8th, 2019. - Guyana Chronicle
Guyanese join hands in standing for environmental protection GUYANA -- Scores of Guyanese joined hands Saturday night to strengthen the call for environmental protection as ‘Earth Hour’ 2019 was observed. Earth Hour is a worldwide event organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). This event culminates the month long array of activities held throughout March, which sought to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the environment and the impacts of climate change. On ‘Earth Hour’, usually held on the last Saturday of March, non-essential lights are turned off for one hour (usually 20:00hours) as part of efforts to stand for environmental conversation and climate change awareness. In Guyana, this was observed at the National Park where the lights were switched off and scores of
persons lit candles as part of the efforts to raise awareness. “Each year, what Earth Hour intends to do is raise awareness and urge persons to protect planet earth against climate change,” WWF country manager, Ayesha Williams told the Guyana Chronicle. According to her, the overarching message of the global event is to champion the protection of biodiversity and the environment. In so doing, it is hoped that government and other bodies would augment efforts to ensure environmental protection. “And biodiversity must be protected because it’s not only for having our natural surroundings, it’s for human well-being and for the health of the planet,” she stressed. In Guyana, not only is the event focused
on raising awareness on mitigating environment issues, but it also functions to promote youth leadership and engagement in environmental action. “Young people have played a major role in leading this every year– WWF is just there to support these young people,” Williams shared. At the event held at the National Park, various young people- organised in their groupswere seen championing their environmental protection agendas. “We’ve made a definitive decision to have the youths lead this; that’s how we see things moving forward in the future- once youth are focused on changing the world, then our future is bright. And in protecting our environment, our future is bright,” the WWF country manager explained. Adding to her statements was Presi-
dent of the Guyana Youth Environment Network (GYEN), Amar Dillawar. Since the Earth Hour activities began in Guyana a few years ago, the GYEN has taken the leading role in coordinating these. “Every year we host the event and we try to bring in Guyanese talent to try to raise awareness around all the issues of biodiversity, climate change, etc.,” Dillawar shared. He explained that the group tries to get young people to address other youth people, as a way of connecting to each other. And the GYEN of itself is a youth empowerment group that bands together environmentally- conscious young people, he related. - Guyana Chronicle
Tobago anxious about PM’s plan to fix economy TRINIDAD -- Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s latest statements on his Government’s steps to mend Tobago’s economy are causing anxiety among many stakeholders on the island. How ever, while they rejoiced at some of Govern ment’s plans yesterday, they said the majority of the measures do not address the situation in the short term. Over the last couple of years, the is land’s economy has faced challenges, with the seabridge woes deepening the problems. In an interview on a wide range of topics with host Hema Ramkissoon on CNC3’s Morning Brew yesterday, Rowley said Tobago’s economy is “plodding along...and the Government is taking steps to fix it.” Ad dress ing the is sues, he said the Government is taking steps to “generate greater economic activity” on the island by building infra structure, improving human capital and encour aging investment in all sectors. In an obvious reference to the failed Sandals Resorts deal and the need to attract more tourism to the island, Rowley said: “Unfortu nately, one of the actions we thought would have given assistance as a stimulant is no longer avail
able to us.” Addressing tourism-related issues fur ther, he said Evolving Technologies and Enter prises Development Company Limited (e Teck) is seeking to find a company to market the Mag dalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort “which is a money-losing hotel.” “The Government was approached by a new company, the Sunwing Company, which has its own airlift and the THA (Tobago House of Assembly) is out encouraging (businesses to in vest),” the PM said. However, noting plans to expand the ANR Robinson International Airport, he said the Government needs islanders to help bring about change in the economy. “While we are working towards that (ex pansion of the ANR Robinson’s International Air port) I am seeing disturbances and people saying they are organising themselves, political respons es. We (Tobagonians) just have to be a little less cantankerous.” He also said the island’s situa tion is not as bad as perceived. “Tobago has Trinidad to start with, most other Caribbean islands don’t have a big sister
with one million people. Tobago should start by encouraging Trinidadians to use Tobago, for what Tobago is; a place for relaxation, a place to in vest.” In an immediate reaction, Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) president Chris James agreed with Rowley that Trinidad is very important to Tobago’s tourism industry. “THTA also agrees that destination marketing is critical and should be increased in both our domestic and international originating markets,” James said. He added: “The industry in Tobago is in a catch 22 situation. We hear calls for the up grading of product but with such low arrivals and low occupancy the money is just not available for many to consider undertaking more debt.” He said Caribbean Airlines (CAL) is doing its best to help but the THTA was “eagerly awaiting the announcement of the wet lease for the airbridge.” In 2017, James told members of a Joint Select Committee (JSC) that staff in the tourism industry were working three-day work shifts and many tourism stakeholders could not pay their bills. Last year, the tourism sector - the island’s
second largest contributor to its Gross Domes tic Product (GDP)—took another beating as the seabridge crashed. Tobago Unique Bed and Breakfast & Self Catering Association president Kaye Trot man expressed similar sentiments to James. “We are in favour with the general trend of the discus sion but those are for the medium term impact... we have Easter and Jazz coming up and we are not sure what the travel between the islands will be like.” She said the association agrees with Rowley that more marketing has to be done. “How ev er, the com ment (from trav ellers) is always how do we get to Tobago? The PM is certainly on the right trend but our chal lenge has always been what do we do now,” Trot man said. Truckers and Traders Association pres ident Horace Ameade meanwhile said the associ ation is hopeful the existing situation can change. “We heard these words in 2016 when the Prime Minister met with us in Tobago, let’s hope we can see them brought to fruition,” Ameade said. - Trinidad Guardian
feature
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
PAGE 15
Three reasons to think twice before buying an animal for Easter Easter and the days that make up Lent Did you know that Easter is directly preceded by Lent? This key period of the Catholic calendar comprises 40 days of fasting and reflection, which ultimately culminates in celebrating Easter Sunday. These are some of the holy days typically observed during lent.
EASTER SUNDAY • APRIL 21, 2019 The most important day in the Christian calendar, Easter Sunday is a time for feasting in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Here are three reasons to reconsider if you’re thinking about buying your kids a bunny or chick for Easter.
SHROVE TUESDAY • MARCH 5, 2019 This is a day for letting loose before Lent. It’s frequently celebrated with extravagant parades and festivities such as Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. ASH WEDNESDAY • MARCH 6, 2019 The first day of Lent. This holy day is characterized by the practice of marking crucifixes with the ashes of burnt palm leaves on the foreheads of devout Christians. PALM SUNDAY • APRIL 14, 2019 The final Sunday of Lent and the first day of Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter Sunday), this day commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ into Jerusalem, when followers laid down their cloaks and small branches of trees in front of him as a sign of respect. HOLY THURSDAY • APRIL 18, 2019 Also known as Maundy Thursday, this is the celebration of the last supper of Jesus and his apostles, when he predicted his death and resurrection.
GOOD FRIDAY • APRIL 19, 2019 On this day, Christians observe Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. While it may seem like a misnomer for such a solemn occasion, it’s been suggested that in this case, “good” merely refers to a day of religious observance.
Every year, well-meaning parents buy their children rabbits and chicks as Easter presents. What they likely don’t realize, however, is that these pets require a commitment that can last for years to come. The result is an annual rise in the number of rabbits and chickens dropped off at shelters or outright abandoned.
1. They require special care. These animals aren’t easy to care for, and the veterinarian who takes care of your dog or cat may not be equipped to care for a rabbit or chick. They also need food that may be difficult to find at your local pet store. Overall, Lent is a time for fasting, giving up bad habits, adopting wholesome practices and reflecting on spiritual values. Regardless of whether or not you’re religious, the days leading up to Easter are the perfect time to be more mindful of how you live your life.
Easter is considered a moveable feast because the day it falls on can be anywhere from March 22 to April 25. The difference from year to year can be attributed to variances in the lunar calendar. Easter will always land on the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. If the full moon happens to be on a Sunday, then Easter is celebrated the following week.
2. They live a long time. While it may surprise some people, rabbits can live for as long as 12 years and
chickens up to eight years. This means that your Easter pet may still be hopping or clucking away long after your child has moved out. 3. They can’t stay in a cage all day. Neither chickens nor rabbits are content to live in a cage. Rabbits need a lot of exercise and should be given ample room to explore around your home. Chickens need a coop that offers them shelter but provides them access to the outdoors. If you don’t think your family’s ready for the commitment that caring for these animals requires, consider stuffed or chocolate animals as Easter gifts instead.
How the Easter Bunny became a tradition Have you ever wondered about the origins of your favourite Easter traditions? How did a rabbit delivering chocolate eggs come to represent this holiday? Here’s the lowdown on some of our long-held Easter customs. EASTER EGGS Eggs have long been a symbol of rebirth, and decorating and exchanging them in the spring is a practice that goes back many thousands of years. Early Christians adopted this custom and eventually began exchanging empty eggs to represent Christ’s tomb after the resurrection. The eggs were often dyed red to represent the blood Jesus shed on the cross. THE EASTER BUNNY Some believe that the Easter Bunny we know and love today was brought to North America by German immigrants in the 1700s. Their Easter traditions involved the Osterhase, an egglaying hare. The night before Easter, children made nests for the hare to lay its eggs in. The next morning, the kids would find brightly coloured eggs, paper bunnies and small treats in their nests.
EASTER CHOCOLATES The tradition of eating chocolate at Easter has nothing to do with ancient custom and everything to do with this treat becoming readily available to the masses. By the late 19th century, cocoa had become much more accessible to the middle classes and parents started putting chocolate candies in their children’s Easter baskets. This Easter, as you’re hunting for Easter eggs or biting the ear off of a chocolate bunny, you can tell your family about the intriguing origins of the custom.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
feature
Jerk Up Central All the Way up, with Jerk Up
SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
“I Forgive You Because You Couldn’t See What Was in my Mind.” ~ Easton Robinson Easton Robinson had no idea what his life was going to be like when he and his siblings moved from Jamaica to Canada on May 3rd, 1985. He remembers thinking, “Wow, this is farin,” as he took in the bright lights of the city, the thousands of cars whizzing by him, and the fact that even though it was May, it was significantly colder than Jamaica. Easton was a 17-year-old young man, who had most recently migrated to Canada to stay with his mother. Although the lights were bright, everything looked shiny and new, and new adventures awaited him, he was homesick. He missed his life back in Jamaica; the ability to run next door and visit his friends, and of course he missed the family he had left behind. “You Guys Watch What I am Doing so You Can Take Care of Yourself!” ~ Poppa Robinson Easton’s mother had gone ahead of them to Canada, and she had left him, and his four siblings: Carlton Robinson (oldest), Easton (middle child), Adolph Robinson (middle child), and Suzette Robinson (youngest), with their father. As one can imagine, it could not have been easy taking care of four children on your own; he was responsible for the cooking, the cleaning, and the day-to-day emotional, and developmental care of all four children. One thing dad did was make sure that all the children helped out in the home; this meant that everyone was responsible for their own chores, and he made sure they were in the kitchen cooking alongside him. His goal as a father
was to instill independence and responsibility and it is something that remained a huge part of Easton’s personal schema. The time had come, and mom had sent for all four of the children; now that he is older, he understands the pain his father must have felt when he saw his children excitedly packing up to leave. Dad knew it meant a better life for them, but this did not help with his heartbreak. The wonderful ending to this part of Easton’s story is that he remained close with his father, and his dad visited all the children in Canada whenever he could.
2 CAN DINE FOR
$13.99
2 small Jerk chicken, jerk pork or bbq jerk chicken meals (mix and match)
As he began to live his new life in Canada, the thought of cooking with his father remained in his mind; the picture in his mind had begun to evolve, and now he was seeing things on a grander scale. Now, the possibility of owning a restaurant began to take precedence. It almost seemed like beginners luck when a gentleman who was retiring offered to sell him his business for $30,000. In 1992, an offer like this was tempting, and Easton put into action a way to buy this man’s business. His mom was worried because she was unsure of his ability to cook at the level a restaurant required, but Easton reassured his mom that things would work out. Unfortunately, he was unable to raise the funds to buy the restaurant, so he shelved the idea, and tried out the 9 – 5 work life. Easton went on to work in the oil, and welding industry, and he moved up very quickly in his company. In just under four years, Easton was promoted to Supervisor, then Lead Manager, and then finally Production Manager where he was responsible for managing 120 people. He believed things were going well, but then the oil market took a hit, and the owners of the building decided that they would have to make cuts. This included scaling back Easton’s position. Easton was not having that, and as terrifying as it was, he walked away from what many would see as security.
As you can imagine, when Easton told his wife about what his next move was going to be, she was scared; how were they going to pay the bills? He reminded his wife to have faith, and he took the next year to come up with his very own product Jamaica Style Jerk Up Sauce. What makes this sauce special is the fact that it is handmade with all natural products and is low in sodium. It is also the key ingredient in all of the dishes at Jerk Up Central. He had the opportunity to release the product to the public when his wife – Nkechi Robinson - had a series of events that were catered by Easton. People loved his recipe, and this was followed by requests for other catering opportunities. He figured, “Why not just turn my basement into a catering kitchen?” Well, the city had other thoughts about this and told him that his home was not zoned for a catering business. Not shaken, Easton’s thoughts went to getting a loan from the bank. After spending $3,000 creating a business plan, his proposal was denied and disheartened Easton thought he would have to go back and do something he swore he would not do, work for someone else. After sleeping on it, he woke up with a different plan, and he returned to the bank with a different request; now he asked for a loan as a manufacturer of the product Jerk Up. Two days later he was approved, and April 2017 Jerk Up Central became a reality. What makes this restaurant unique is that they use grain fed meats in their recipes from two farms: Beverly Creek Farm, and Capon Farms. It is a little more expensive on the back end, but the quality of the food is unmistakable. Jerk Up Central will continue to be an exclusive experience because it is Clean Caribbean Eating; we can now be rid of the stigma that eating West Indian food is somehow bad for you. We can enjoy it knowing that we are eating the finest in natural earth given ingredients. Jerk up Central, we at the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper applaud you. Keep up the good work!
“Just Move Forward!” ~ Easton Robinson
For more details, you can visit them at www.jerkupcentral.com
“Put in the Work, You get Rewarded!”
PAGE 17
Large jerk chicken combo with a free coconut water
$11.99
Lunch special small jerk chicken with a drink (kola champagne or pineapple)
$6.99
2201 Brimley Road, Unit #5 Scarborough Ontario, M1S 4N7 416-471-9368
entertainment
PAGE 18
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Swappi Deserved to Win. Artiste Breaks Down. Here’s Why! ABA LUKE
aba@carib101.com
ENT. PUBLICIST
He cried tears, broke down like we’d never seen him, in the aftermath of a phenomenal carnival 2019 season that even resulted in a major Carnival title- the Groovy Soca Monarch crown. Marvin Davis grew up in the Sea Lots community. He’s the perfect example of rags to riches. Swappi’s also testimony that anyone who believes, can achieve. In the aftermath of Carnival 2019, Swappi quietly reflected in a chat with Ebuzztt, tearing up over the fact that he had almost given up. “I’m kind of emotional right now, because I actually didn’t see this coming,” he said to us. He had been at home, laid back, after securing the win on Fantastic Friday. Swappi could not contain his emotions. He admitted that he’d been extremely frustrated prior to 2019. “I’m laying here and thinking of how frustrating and confusing it was for me last year and the year before that and the year before that. I remember going to the grocery and picking up stuff, putting it in my trolley, and getting to the cash register and having to put it all back because all I had was $20,” he said with a level of humility and sadness that could not be faked. Swappi sighed emotionally at the memory, adding, “It was really challenging, very challenging to know that this is all that I do, music…. I just want to thank all the DJs, promoters, program directors, everyone, for giving me a second chance,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to all who had played a part this past Carnival season, in essentially allowing him to see the light at the end of a very dark tunnel. Swappi, like many other Soca entertainers, endured a period of drought. His success years prior, seemingly faded and despite continued efforts to sway the minds of DJs and the keepers of the airwaves, for approximately three years, he became disenchanted, questioning his future in the soca industry. Fast forward to 2019, the artiste, with his ‘Doi Doi’ refrain powerfully perfected, took T&T by storm. The song came out of the Ultimate Rejects’ camp and was definitely one of the most played, and most enjoyed by fete lovers all season long. Swappi’s market-
ing of himself also invigorated his appeal. Teaming up with Trinidad and Tobago menswear designer, Ecliff Elie, the artiste looked the part of a confident, empowered, Soca champion. Many of his looks showed off his toned physical structure, giving his female fans much to enjoy. His on stage persona however, was perfectly suited to the hysteria desired by Soca loving Caribbean men, who would easily agree to the lyrics, “we goin’ by de bar again….to get liquor in we head.” Like magic, Swappi cemented his space in the Soca industry again in 2019. He says he takes his crown seriously and will represent T&T with honor. “Within all my celebrations, I am taking time to reflect on my past and thank God for bring-
Meadowvale
Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Centres
ing me through such a rough time.” Swappi expressed gratitude to designer Ecliff Elie, calling him a genuinely good man and applauding his professionalism. Finally, he told young, aspiring soca artistes the truth. “People who love music and people who are striving to do soca music, let tell you this… it is not an easy road, it is no bed of roses. It is very tough. It can make you feel frustrated at times but once that talent is inside of you, nobody and no one can stop you. Nobody can take that away from you because it is God given and once there is life, there is always hope. That talent is yours. People can say what they want, but once there is life, there is always hope.” – SWAPPI. - EBuzzTT
Serving Brampton, Mississauga and neighbouring communities 407 since 1981
Our staff is familiar with the diverse traditions of the customers we serve. Let us help ensure that your unique preferences are accommodated. Talk to us today and we’ll explain all your funeral options and help you through your immediate or pre-arrangement needs.
B o u l ev
wso
ur
n
M
Ra
y
La
H
cL
M
M e Ce ado m wv et al er e y
St ee
le
ar
d
sA ve nu e
427
av
is
Ro
au
on
gh
410 ta
lin
rio
Ro
St
re
et
ad
ad
407
401
Vehicle Entrance
7732 Mavis Road | Brampton | 905.451.3716
w w w. m o u n t p l e a s a n t g r o u p . c o m
Meadowvale Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Centres is a business name of Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries. Cemetery and cremation services are provided by Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries. Funeral services are provided by Canadian Memorial Services which is affiliated with Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries.
F18 - Caribbean - SEP1817 - Meadowvale.indd 1
18/09/2017 11:18:50 AM
PAGE 20
feature
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Successfully re-entering the workforce as a senior Are you a retiree who’s looking for work? You’re not alone. There’s a growing trend among today’s seniors of returning to the workforce post-retirement. But to find a job in your golden years that’s gratifying and meets your financial needs, you’ll need to leverage the skills and knowledge you’ve built up over your lifetime. IDENTIFY YOUR ASSETS Before you put yourself out there, take a bit of time to pinpoint your skills and abilities. Consider proficiencies that you gained from your work experience as well as more general ones like timemanagement, leadership and communication skills. And don’t forget the life skills you’ve developed over the years in other areas such as in your role as a parent or mentor. You can even look to your
hobbies and interests as a place to mine for hireable skills. CONSIDER A NEW CAREER PATH Your skills and abilities might steer you in a new direction, completely away from your previous career. For example, the people management skills you acquired working as a contractor might be put to use in many other contexts (company manager, real estate agent, etc.).
Three tips for showcasing soft skills on your resume By defining your skills on your resume, you’re letting employers and recruiters know why you’re going to succeed in the job they’re trying to fill. While it’s important to list your hard skills — technical proficiencies you likely learned in school or in a prior position you held — it’s just as essential to showcase your soft skills — personal traits that indicate how you interact with others. Here are three tips for effectively presenting soft skills on your resume.
CONSIDER THE JOB MARKET Sometimes it happens that the primary skills you possess have become unmarketable due to advancements in technology or a change in your health or physical capacity. In such cases, it’s best to fall back on secondary knowledge and skills you’ve developed over the years.
According to a poll published by Forbes, for each job opening that gets advertised there are approximately 120 people who will apply for it. So how to stand out from the pack? Try adopting these three strategies: 1. CUSTOMIZE YOUR RESUME Sending out targeted resumes and cover letters to prospective employers is a must. This manoeuvre requires indicating how your particular qualifications bear on the specific hiring criteria and demonstrating how your experiences align with the job. In an employer’s eyes, a targeted resume has an edge over a generic one. 2. USE YOUR NETWORK Did you know that employee referrals account for about 40 per cent of new hires? Therefore you should make as many connections as you can — your next job opportunity could come from any direction. Ideally, you’ll connect with people both in person and online. In-person connections tend to be more valuable. On the other hand, there’s no limit to how many online connections you can make through social media and professional net-
working sites like LinkedIn. Keep in mind that companies are increasingly fishing for new talent online. 3. LEARN A NEW SKILL If you find that a lot of the jobs that interest you require a skill you don’t have, ask yourself if you can acquire it. For instance, if a position demands that you be knowledgeable in search engine optimization (SEO) or Microsoft Office, you could consider completing an online course in one or the other (there are a number of reputable courses that can be completed in a short period of time that will provide you with a certificate upon finishing). Be sure to adopt these strategies and it likely won’t be long before you’ve landed your new position.
2. Set apart your soft skills. If you have an ample number of both hard and soft skills, present them in separate sections, which you might label respectively as “technical skills” and “additional skills.” This way, busy employers will see them when doing an initial scan of your resume. 3. Demonstrate your soft skills in action. Make sure to also weave your soft skills into the descriptions of your previous jobs. It’s easy to say you have a skill: illustrating that you have it is far more persuasive.
BEGIN YOUR JOB SEARCH ONLINE If you’re looking to venture into the workforce, a good place to start is by scouting online job search sites such as Indeed and Monster. You may also want to build a public profile on the professional networking site, LinkedIn.
Three job-hunting strategies to adopt without delay
1. Only include relevant soft skills. Carefully look over the job posting and see which of the sought-after soft skills are ones you can lay claim to. You should also infer which additional soft skills are valued by the company or are relevant to the role by studying the job description, looking at the company website and researching the specifics of the position.
Once you’ve fine-tuned your resume, you can start thinking about the interview. Be prepared to elaborate on the skills you listed in your resume and think of supplementary ones you might mention.
Five blunders to steer clear of during job interviews It goes without saying that showing up late or being inappropriately dressed for a job interview hurts your chances of getting hired. However, there are also a number of less obvious blunders job seekers should guard against. Here are five of them: 1. Being ill prepared. If you fail to take the time to study the job posting or research the company, this will likely show indifference and the employer could interpret it as a lack of seriousness on your part. It’s important that you have a good understanding going into the interview of what the position entails. 2. Showing disrespect. Your credentials aren’t all that count. Employers are also looking for someone with a respectful and positive attitude. Don’t, for example, check your phone — even for a second — during an interview. This will inevitably create a bad impression. 3. S tretching the truth. E x p er i e n c e d employers are quick to
detect fibs and exaggerations. Always be truthful. Sel l ing yourself is one thing; false advertising is another. 4. B eing negative. Avoid speaking about former employers or co-workers in negative terms. If you have to talk about an unpleasant job experience, do so with tact and reserve. 5. Saying too much. Don’t be a chatterbox. Being overly gabby can come off as unprofessional. As a rule, respond to the questions you’re asked without rambling and avoid talking about your personal life. Avoid the above missteps and you’ll improve your chances of landing the position you’re after. Best of luck in your job search!
Check Out Some Of This Weeks
FEATURED SPECIALS
2
99lb
Burnt Goat Feet
Now Serving The
Caribbean community We have a large selection of fresh produce and Caribbean items
SALE PRICES EFFECTIVE APRIL 3RD TO APRIL 16TH 2019
3 99
.99
1 49
1 99
1 29
4 99
2 99
8 99
1 29
2 99
5 99
ea
Milo 400g
4
99ea
ea
Ovaltine 400g
African Ocean Jack Mackerel 425g
6
99ea
lb
Yellow Yam
Dunn’s River Ackee
.79
ea
Bedessee Chow Mein 12oz
2 49
lb
Salted Pig tail
ea
Prosperity Condensed Beverage Whitener
ea
Titus Sardine
ea
12 Tastee Patties Beef, Chicken or Vegetarian
lb
Salted Mackerel
263 Queen St E, Brampton, ON (905) 453-3522
ea
Excelsior Water Cracker
ea
Guycan Corn Mutton
ea
Ovaltine Cookies
lb
Easy cook Oxtail Frozen or Previously Frozen
WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS AND INTERAC
Come in and check out our fresh fish counter - we stock only fresh fish never frozen, our supply is flown in every 2 days
PAGE 22
feature
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
The creative genius known affectionately as
Mark “Kurupt” Stoddart
I want to take this time to introduce to the community, the Classic Man segment, which was inspired by our very popular segment Woman Empowered. For the last few years, Toronto Caribbean Newspaper has highlighted the wonderful work that our women of Caribbean descent have been doing in the community. We decided that it was time to start paying homage to some of the incredible work that our men of Caribbean descent are doing as well. Images and portrayals that are currently in the media do not highlight the best of our community, but the worst, and it is time that we changed that. We would like to take this time to introduce to you our first Classic Man, representing Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Mark Stoddart. “As an artist, it is my duty to give back.“ ~ Mark Stoddart The Creative genius known affectionately as Mark “Kurupt” Stoddart, found a way to synthesize
Written by Simone Smith Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
CHIROPRACTIC DISCOVERY WEEK
CALL OR EMAIL TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT BOOK AT EITHER LOCATION 57 Mill Street, North Unit 102 Brampton, ON L6X 1S9 Phone: 905-452-0499 Email: mill@intelligenthealthgroup.ca
WHEN
May 8th, 2013 8pm - 12pm
110 Brickyard Way, Unit 10 Brampton, ON L6V 4N1 Phone: 647-499-1444
April 1 - 13, 2018 Do you know someone who would benefit from chiropractic treatment? During this week we will be offering the opportunity for your friends, families and co-workers to discover chiropractic. With our Chiropractic Discovery Week pass they can receive the following: •
Full Chiropractic Examination,
•
X-ray Interpretation
•
Report of Findings &
•
Health Class
$120 Value
Email: brickyard@intelligenthealthgroup.ca
LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE For more information please speak to any of our staff
his passion for music, and sports, with his formidable spirit for social activism. His work continues to reflect his personal commitment to recognizing the struggles, and accomplishments of African artists and athletes, who have broken color barriers and have remained symbols of fortitude and tenacity. Mark Stoddart was born in the township of Nottingham, United Kingdom, and moved to Scarborough, Ontario at the age of seven. From an early age, Mark had two loves: art and sport. These two loves followed him through elementary school, right into high school where his love for art continued to grow. It is fitting that Mark’s nickname “Kurupt” was actually spawned from an incident that occurred in his 19881989 high school art class. Mark and his art teacher at the time, had become locked in a contentious discussion, and during this disagreement, the teacher responded to Mark by calling him corrupt. Mark knew that this teacher had a silent vendetta against him, but after the insult, he lashed out and was suspended for threatening the teacher. Like any mother dedicated to her child, Mark’s mom was not having any of it. She defended Mark, and told the school administration, “My son has never been corrupt!” Thankfully, he also had another mentor Mr. Rouillard who stood by him and supported him through this situation. This only gave Mark time to really begin to think about conflict and the word ‘corrupt’; he found himself in the word by reflecting on the fact that two negatives can make a positive, and just like that, his alias “Kurupt” was born. He gives credit to his mom for the name and is thankful for the story that he can now share from that experience. Mark is infamous for his 40@40 Collection that is a collection of 40 paintings of prominent and significant African musicians and athletes. His goal at that time was to have all the paintings completed before his 40th birthday. Mark has also produced a series of wonderful paintings focused on jazz musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and John Coltrane, rhythm and blues artist Ray Charles and rock icon Jimi Hendrix. Not neglecting his love for sports, Mark included a segment titled “Homage: Celebrating the Journey” featuring legendary athletes including Jim Brown, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Satchel Paige, and Fergie Jenkins. The paintings depicted the familiar stories of iconic black athletes who broke color barriers and came to stand as symbols of American and Canadian culture.
Refusing to stop there, Mark introduced “The Mark Stoddart Collection” which showcased some of his sensational pieces and limited edition t-shirt designs. The showcase included pieces from his “Voices of the Past” collection, which paid tribute to various black musicians, athletes, and political figures throughout history. It featured iconic figures including legendary boxer Cassius Clay, baseball great Jackie Robinson, and political activist Kathleen Cleaver. His portfolio of paintings received widespread acclaim, which eventually led to his talents being showcased on BRAVO TV’s series “Star Portraits.” Just when Toronto thought that he could not top his recent ascendancy, Mark launched his brand LIWI68 in 2010. Something that initially started out as a thought and a pastime has now established itself as a successful entrepreneurial venture officially known as LIVE IT WEAR IT, the brand features independent collections made up of John Carlos 68, Live It Wear It, and Mark Stoddart. With over a thousand items sold within the first year of operation, LIWI68 has solidified its brand as an independent retailer and making a huge impact in the online retail industry. In his lasting dedication to nurture and support the creative minds of young people, Mark has wholeheartedly collaborated with other professional artists and art educators, in developing and sustaining mentorship programs in Toronto. One such program, Inner City Angels, is an awardwinning charity that engages young learners, utilizing narrative inspired arts. He has committed to providing an approach to the arts that explore the world around us and integrates art with learning. Mark has also volunteered his time to work with R.I.S.E (Reaching Intelligent Souls Everywhere), a multidisciplinary collective of young artists and activists. Operating primarily out of the east side of Scarborough, Mark has worked alongside R.I.S.E to successfully connect with youth from all corners of the GTA. As a visionary, he knows that there is a lot more expected of him, and he is cognizant to the fact that his work will continue to impact people’s lives. You never know what to expect from this highly respected enigma; what is known is that he has made his mark forever in history. “We need to leave something behind, a legacy of who we are. The only way is to give back so that people can follow that blueprint.” ~ Mark Stoddart
Home & Auto Insurance • Condo, Tenant & Rented Dwellings • Commercial Auto • Trucking • Business • Professional Liability
MULTI COMPANIES REPRESENTATION Brian Watson 416-836-7397 bwatson@unisonins.com
GET A QUOTE FREE ONLINE www.unisonins.com
Exclusive Brij Team Guarantee 18 Month Buy Back
Guarantee! Buy One of Our Listings and if, Within 18 Months’ you are not Happy, We Will Buy It Back! * Conditions and program guidelines apply. Current market value based on recent sales of similar homes in the neighborhood.
$549,000
$515,000
Take Me! I am Yours!
Have An affair
I am young but large. I have tall Cathedral ceiling, family size kitchen and walk out to backyard. I love make-up such as California shutters and crown moldings. I can caress you in my 3 bedrooms and you can enjoy a private shower in the 3 baths. My basement has a separate entrance and I must confess, it is untouched.
No neighbors behind this home that has a huge backyard, deck and a fire pit. This home features 4 washrooms, 3 bedroom and one with a private balcony. The basement is recently finished. This home comes with a gazebo, fridge, stove, washer dryer. With all of this, it’s ok to cheat a little!
$578,888
$564,000 POWER SALE!
Woulda- Coulda- Shoulda
This home is approx. 2800 sq feet plus a finished basement. Features double car garage, main floor laundry, Formal living room, modern kitchen with center island, family room with 20 feet ceiling, fireplace and a large loft. Neat Bargain
Sad laments of those who failed to grasp opportunity. You can join in their despair or check out this magnificent 4-bedroom home with double car garage, open concept and 9 feet ceiling. It’s the modern style will all the amenities. Opportunity is leaning on the doorbell.
$589,000
$929,000 Dear John
12 Reasons to Buy
I see it all now that you are gone. I found the perfect home that sits on a corner lot with tall sundrenched windows, open concept living and dining room, family room with gas fireplace and a gourmet kitchen. Dear John, there is nothing to do in this home, so I just want to say good bye.
First there’s January. Every month will seem like a vacation in this fantastic home with 4 bedrooms and 5 washrooms, quartz countertop and modern glass enclosed showers. The basement is finished. Include stainless Steele appliances, gas fireplace and pot lights. Super Buy!
TheBrij.com
3500+ HOMES * Sales mean both buyer and seller transactions from 1990 to 2016, Team Sales combined.
Anjie Brijpaul,
Direct: 416.988.5369 Office: 416-745-2300
MA Sales Representative
Find out how we can help you retire comfortably SCAN THE QR CODE TO FIND OUT MORE!
Jay Brijpaul, Broker, FRI
Direct: 416.418.2745 (BRIJ) Office: 416-745-2300 96 Rexdale Blvd. Toronto ON M9W 1N7
*
Danforth
DFM
We’re simply the best West Indian store in town.
1
$ 2/
Phoenicia Large Lima Beans
each
398 ml
79
D & G Grapefruit Flavoured Beverage 300 ml
Food Market www.danforthfoodmarket.com
¢
each
Black River Quick Oats 700 g
99
each
99
Peardrax Sparkling Pear Drink 300 ml
¢
¢
each
Serge Peanut Punch 290 ml
99
¢
each
2
$ 3/
Arizona Flavour Drink 680 ml
35 69 1
Nutrament Energy Nutrition Drink
Jamaican Pride Dried Sorrel 100 g
each
18 kg case
with the Purchase of 2 case or more
Corned Pork
(Salted Pork Loin)
1
69 each
3
4L
Garden Patch Whole Kernel Corn 341 ml
Caribbean Kitchen Spices Assorted 170-290 g
1
$ 2/
Grace Dry Pigeon Peas 540 ml
1
99 each
99
¢
each
99
Grace Hot Pepper Sauce
¢
each each
85 ml
99
Marshall’s Sardines in Tomato Sauce 425 ml
¢
each
Demerara Gold Cane Sugar 3 lbs
Hereford Corned Beef 340 g
3
99
3
each
each
99
5
1
$ 79 bag
20 lb case
with the Purchase of 2 case or more
Save Time & Money Easy Cook Young Milk Fed Oxtail 99% Fat Free Trimmed & Cutted
2
Frozen King Fish Steaks
Frozen or Previously Frozen
Fresh Beef Kidney
Goat Tripe
99
3
¢
$ 49 lb
Frozen or Previously Frozen
lb
5
Fresh Atlantic Whole Salmon
4
Fresh Porgy Fish
3
Fresh Lane Snapper
4
$ 49 $ 99 $ 99 $ 49 $ 49 lb as is
lb as is
Fresh Jamaican
Product of Costa Rica
49
with the Purchase of 2 case or more
Fresh Chicken Soup
Fresh Seafood Catches Herring Sprat
$ 2/
Frozen Goat Meat
16 lb case
3
1
17
99 $
99 $ 99 $ $ 99 lb lb lb Frozen or Previously Frozen
Lou & Nicky’s Vinegar
Frozen Chicken Drumsticks
26
99 $
$
355 ml Assorted
Frozen Chicken Wings
Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters Back Attached
Yellow Pumpkin
White Yams
lb as is Fresh
lb
lb as is
Florida Oranges
4
99
99
lb
lb
From
Sweet 5 lb Bag
Jamaican Cooking Bananas
1 1 1 Five Locations To Serve You Better 69
99
lb as is
Bag
Specials in Effect Thu. April 4th until Wed. April 10th, 2019.
Although we strive for accuracy in both copy & illustration, unintentional error may occur, we reserve the right to correct any error. Specials Available While Quantities Last. We reserve the right to limit quantities.
each
400 ml Assorted
each
400 ml
each
Sheppard Ave. E .
Danforth Food Market 651 Markam Rd. 416-439-6397
Mon.-Fri. 9am to 9pm Saturday 9am to 9pm Sunday Lawrence Ave. E . 10am to 7pm
Store Hours
Steeles Ave. E .
Danforth Food Market 3051 Pharmacy Ave North Finch 416-490-9219
Mon.-Thu. 8:30am 8pm Fri. & Sat. 8:30am-8:30pm Sunday 9am to 6 pm Finch Ave. E.
Store Hours
Mon.-Thu. 9:30am 9pm Fri. & Sat. 9 am-9 pm Sunday 9am to 6 pm
Bloor St. E.
Danforth Food Market 1225 Dundas St. Dixie & Dundas Missisauga 905-949-9990
Dixie Rd.
1
29
Store Hours
Cawtra Rd.
Ultra Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid
D r.
2
99
Mon.-Fri. ion 9am to 9pm Roa d Saturday 9am to 9pm Sunday Sheppard Ave. W . 10am to 8pm Finch Ave. W .
Si lv er st on e
5
Vaseline Body Lotion
Danforth Food Market 301 Silverstone Dr. A l b 416-740-9870
Pharmacy Rd.
500 ml
99
Steeles Ave. W.
Markam Rd.
each Each
Dettol Liquid Antiseptic
Store Hours
Martin Grove Rd.
22 Bars
99
Mon.-Fri. 9am to 9pm Saturday 8 am to 9pm Sunday 9 am to 7pm
Finch Ave. W.
Danforth Food Market 3701 Keele St. 416-398-8123
Keele St.
11
Dial Deodorant Soap
Store Hours
Dundas St. E.
PAGE 26
food
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Easter Bun Recipe Jamaican
A delectable tradition NOEL CUNNINGHAM noel@carib101.com
CULINARY EXPERT
In Jamaica whether you celebrate the reason for the season or not, it’s just not Easter without bun & cheese. My family doesn’t celebrate Easter, but I believe we had the most bun in the community. Spice bun with cheese is a must in almost every Jamaican house during the Lenten season. I’m not sure who taught Caribbean people to store bun on the refrigerator top but that’s where you could find ours. We would start eating bun and cheese as of Holy Thursday, it’s a musthave on Good Friday and would serve as Dessert on Easter Sunday, and definitely it would be part of our breakfast on Easter Monday. Some people like to pair their bun with avocado, or better yet fried fish (sprat). Easter bun tradition, however, dates back to Babylonia where cross buns were offered to Ishtar (the queen of heaven) on the day we now celebrate as Good Friday. Similar cakes were made by the ancient Greeks to honor the four quarters of the moon. The tradition made its way to England and when the British colonized the Island it later became a part of our rich
food culture. We adopted the cross bun and made it uniquely ours; similar in flavor but modernized from a roundish shape to a loaf. Hot cross bun has the shape of a dinner roll mark with a cross on top which represented the four quarters of the lunar cycle, made from a sweet glaze. The British believe the cross represents the crucifixion. Here is an easy and tasty recipe to make your own Easter bun this season. Chef Noel’s Spice Easter Bun This Easter bun recipe is my favorite goto bun recipe every year. Its lightly spiced with a blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, and mixed spice flavored with stout and studded with fruits. Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 1:15 mins Total time: 1 hour 30 mins Yield: 2-2lb loaves Ingredients • Liquid • 2 tbsp. melted margarine • 1 cup Guinness stout • 2 tsp vanilla extract • 1 tsp browning • 1 medium egg (beaten) • 11/2 cups dark sugar • 1 tsp Molasses (optional) Dried Ingredients • 3 cups all-purpose flour • 1 tbsp. nutmeg
FAST APPROVALS edd...... s aapppprroovveolu s s ionns e e g g a a g oorrttg orrttggaaggee ssoluttio m m e e r r o o o M M m izeedd m miz ussttoom M Moorree ccu
ES G A G T MOR HE GO!! ON T
• MONEY CREDITED • BAD CREDIT? NO PROBLEM • NO FEES, LOW RATES • FREE APPRAISALS
Mortgage Agent
1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp cinnamon powder 4 tsp. baking powder 1tsp mixed spice Fruits 2oz glace mix (mixed peel) 2oz raisins, soaked in water 6 glace cherries to top the bun
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 150ºc /300ºF. Grease a loaf pan with baking spray or margarine; set aside. 2. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs until foamy, add vanilla, molasses (if use) browning, stout, melted butter, and sugar mix until the granules dissolve. 3. In a large mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients with fruits (leave some for the top) 4. Slowly add liquid to dry ingredients and stir thoroughly to combine. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan halfway leaving room for the bun to rise (top with cherries if desired). 5. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. 6. Glaze and leave to cool before slicing. Glaze Combine 2 tablespoons honey with 1 tablespoon melted butter and bring to a boil. Use a pastry brush to apply over the surface of the bun. To Serve: Serve with slices of cheese.
ARE YOU HAVING PROBLEMS CROSSING THE BORDER?
DO YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD?
• DEBT CONSOLIDATION • 1ST, 2ND, 3RD MORTGAGES • RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL MORTGAGES • HOME RENOVATIONS LOANS
RAJESH JOSHI
• • • • • • • •
647-302-0723 mortagealliance.com/RajeshJoshi
*Terms and Conditions apply. Corp Office 200-2005 Sheppard Avenue E,Toronto,On, M2J 5B4 . Lic#10530
ROBINSON
Legal Services Your Least Cost Solution
TEL: 416-628-5951 CELL: 416-871-2627
We Specialize In US Waivers, Criminal Records Destruction and Pardons
needsFOSTER CAREGIVERS Peel CAS
There is a shortage of foster caregivers in our Peel community. Foster caregivers work as part of a team to support children and families involved with Peel CAS. “We need families for older children, medically fragile babies, and sibling groups,” says Bobby Hussain, family placement worker. “And while we currently have a specific need, our overall goal is to have caregivers who are willing to provide a home to children of any age who are most in need of support.” “We believe that it is best for children to remain in their homes or with a relative or community member they have a relationship with,” says Bobby. “However, in certain circumstances, this is not possible. It is times like this that we need to rely on our foster caregivers.”
Foster families are a diverse community of caregivers. They provide a safe, stable home for children and youth in need when their families are temporarily unable to care for them. “Our foster caregivers also play an important role
to support children returning to their birth families when this is an option,” says Bobby. “We even have caregivers who mentor new parents with small babies to teach and support their parenting skills.”
To become a caregiver, you do not need to be married, have children, or own your own home. You do need strong parenting skills, a love of children and the time to devote to a child physically as well as emotionally. As Peel CAS works toward helping bring children and families back together, caregivers are also involved with the child’s biological family through visits, meetings and by being supportive. If you are interested in learning more, there are a couple of things you can do. You can give us a call at 905-363-6131 and speak to a family placement worker or visit our website at peelcas.org and fill out a fostering application form. We look forward to hearing from you.
Being foster caregivers: It’s just a part of our lives “We have welcomed many children of various ages into our home and they all hold a special place in our hearts.”
Janice Tomlinson and her husband DeVon began caring for children as foster caregivers for Peel CAS more than 20 years ago. Having a big family didn’t deter them from welcoming additional children into their home. In fact, working with vulnerable children and families inspired Janice to go back to further her education, including becoming a social services worker. “My education definitely helped me to better meet the needs of the children we cared for in our home,” says Janice. About four years ago, Janice’s family began caring for two siblings, ages six and seven. “When Nashia and Nazier came into our home we instantly felt a bond with them,” says Janice. “Nashia was such a warm and loving child and Nazier was so helpful and wanted to be the big boy of the house.” The Tomlinson’s cared for the siblings while Peel CAS worked towards reuniting the children with their birth family. “As foster caregivers we know that the goal is for children to return to their family and we do whatever we can to support this.” However, when it was determined that being reunited with their birth parents was no longer an option for the siblings, the Tomlinson’s didn’t hesitate to make their home a permanent one for Nashia and Nazier. On a stormy day in February, Janice, DeVon, their four biological children, and Nashia and Nazier went to court and the family got legal custody of the siblings. “I will never forget
Nazier excitedly saying ‘we are officially a family now,’” says Janice. The story doesn’t end there. The Tomlinson’s have never wavered in their commitment to being foster caregivers and they continue to care for children involved with Peel CAS. “We also have two other siblings, who are seven and 17, in our home and they are also an important part of our family.” A family tradition Growing up with parents who openly welcomed children in need of a safe place to live into their home has made a big impact on two of the Tomlinson’s biological daughters. “Two of our daughters, who are now adults, live together and are also foster caregivers for Peel CAS,” says Janice. “It is just a part of our lives. In our home our children learned valuable life lessons such as how to share what they have, not take anything for granted and the importance of being kind to others. These experiences shaped their lives and they are now doing what they can to continue to support vulnerable children and families. We are so fortunate.”
For more information, contact Peel CAS at 905.363.6131 or visit
www.peelcas.org
www.CasketDepot.ca
CASKETS STARTING FROM
$
899
Financing Available
235 Nugget Ave., Unit 3&4 Scarborough ON M1S 3L3 Office 416.321.5688 | Toll Free 1.866.511.5688
Summer 2019
25%
25%
OFF
LACE WIG
CELESTE now
$119.99
LACE WIG
REYNA now
$119.99
25%
25%
OFF
LACE WIG
CRUSH now
$104.99
LACE WIG KARINA now
Dufferin St
Bloor St W
1126 Bloor St West tel: 416.588.2800
NEW
* In-store only -Beard oil with almond oil
* In-store only
$104.99
Markham Rd
Jane st
Oils 2.5oz
OFF
OFF
55 COLOSSUS DR, UNIT 124A WOODBRIDGE, ON L4L 9J8
[normal] 3.75oz -Beard butter with almond oil [coarse] 3.4oz
C
Dundas St W
BRAMPTON
off
407
MISSISAUGA
25%
Inventory Specialist (Full-time, Part-time)
Hwy
5085 Sheppard Ave East Unit 30
Hurontario St
Apply ONLINE www.clorebeauty.com/careers Beauty Advisor (Full-time, Part-time)
Dr
00
NOW HIRING
NEW ARRIVALS
ssus
Colo
Sheppard Ave E
BLOOR WEST
FEVER
7
Hwy 4
SPRING
Hwy
SCARBOROUGH
OPENING IN VAUGHAN Summer 2019
March 25th - April 28th, 2019
• INSPIRING BEAUTY •
fb.com/casketdepotca
Rd Weston
2019_March_Spring Fever.pdf 1 4/01/19 4:55:30 PM
Bo va ird
ashtoncollege.ca
M
Y
25% $104.99
25%
25%
OFF
LACE WIG OLIVIA GIRL now
RJ-STYLE now
$74.99
25%
OFF
OFF
LACE WIG
LACE SUN DANCE WIG UNICORN PINK now
$74.99
25%
OFF
STRAIGHT
WIG UNICORN PINK now
$67.49
OFF
LACE WIG
GWEN now
$67.49
CMY
K
NEW
King.j premium velvet du-rag
NEW
Green tea collection
OTTAWA
Shampoo & conditioner NEW liters
M&M HEADGEAR
Donald St
997 St. Laurent Blvd tel: 613.742.5673
$67.49
25%
OFF
LACE WIG
RJ-MOMO now
$67.49
25%
OFF
LACE WIG
AMANI now
$67.49
25%
OFF
LACE WIG
RJ-VELYnow
$67.49
OFF
LACE WIG
JOSIE now
$59.99
LAVENDER LINE All products
NATURAL STRAIGHT & NATURAL BODY
NEW
ALL
16”to 22”13.99
NEW
10”10”10”
37.99
to
20”20”20”141.99
BRAID BABE
NEW
SHOP AT WWW.CLOREBEAUTY.COM OVER 11,000 PRODUCTS ONLINE
ALL
54”
6.99
NEW
Colorplex professional kit 3x150ml
NEW
NEW
-Quench 3-in-1 co-wash conditione & detangler 13oz -Rose water curl refresher 8oz -MIRACLE REPAIRX LINE All products
Stone Church Rd W
1400 Upper James st, Unit 5 tel: 289.674.3000
Eglinton Ave E
EGLINTON
N.BLACK & N.BROWN
NATURAL WAVE
Upper James St
25%
OFF
TINASHE now
HAMILTON
25% LACE WIG
Warden Ave
CY
St. Laurent Blvd
MY
Dr E
10 y4 Hw
CM
8 Lebovic Ave, Unit B8 tel: 416.755.5673
seasonal
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Win the fight against springtime allergies! For some people, just the thought of spring in the air is enough to cause fits of sneezing, watery eyes and a runny nose. If you’re among those who struggle with springtime allergies, antihistamine-based medication is your strongest ally! In fact, there are several things you can do to alleviate those irritating allergy symptoms.
Live a healthier life in five easy steps
bed, wash up before climbing in — and don’t forget to rinse your hair! Furthermore, refrain from using the clothesline to dry out your laundry, and never leave the house without a pair of sunglasses in hand. You’ll want to protect your eyes from the pollen and ragweed particles in the air.
Do you aspire to a healthier lifestyle but don’t know where to start? Follow these five super-simple steps to take control of your well-being. 1. EAT BETTER Does your diet leave room for improvement? Take a progressive approach to healthier eating habits so you don’t get discouraged. Focus on a single goal at a time — eating more vegetables, replacing salt by other spices or having only a single glass of wine with dinner instead of two, for instance. Try to eat slower and at regular times.
The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid coming in contact with the allergen in question. However, when it comes to an entire pollen-filled season, that’s a lot easier said than done. Unless you plan on hibernating for the duration of the pollinating period, you’ll have to find other ways to reduce your exposure to seasonal irritants. For example, avoid going outdoors as much as possible on days when the pollen index is at its highest. In addition, make sure to keep your car and house windows securely shut until the worst of the season is over. And if you’re usually in charge of lawn-mowing duties, it’s wise to delegate the task to someone without allergies until the end of spring.
2. GET ENOUGH SLEEP Sleep is vital to your health and wellness, so make sure you get enough of it. While the ideal amount of shut-eye varies between individuals, most adults need around seven or eight hours a night.
Next, it’s important to note that pollen is notorious for clinging to fabrics, skin and hair. Upon returning from the outdoors, make sure to shower and change your clothes without delay. To avoid contaminating your
3. LEARN TO RELAX Known to cause everything from insomnia to digestive problems, stress is terrible for your health. Try to find a way to relieve anxiety that works for you — some people swear by meditation, others by reading or physical activity — and set aside time for yourself every day.
Pollen is notorious for clinging to fabrics. This spring, avoid the clothesline to reduce your risk of an allergic reaction.
4. MOVE MORE Getting active doesn’t have to mean going to the gym or participating in organized sports. Even if you’re short on time, little changes — like choosing the stairs over the elevator, stretching in front of the evening news or replacing your desk chair with an exercise ball — can go a long way.
Seven sunny-day sports to enjoy this spring Spring has sprung! The days are getting longer, nature is waking up from its winter slumber, temperatures are on the rise and sunny days are finally becoming more frequent. Now is the perfect time to stock up on vitamin D and burn off some calories in the great outdoors. Here are some sporty suggestions.
touch with nature with this endurance-building activity.
1. WALKING You can do it virtually anywhere and anytime you please, and a nice stroll gives your circulatory system a boost. Plus, it’s the perfect pastime for taking in the sights and sounds of nature in bloom!
5. RUNNING Going for a jog boosts your energy levels, reduces anxiety and helps you get a better night’s sleep. Plus, the season’s weather is just right: not too hot, and not too cold.
2. CYCLING Break out your bike and put your thighs, glutes and cardio to work as you pedal through the fresh air.
6. HORSEBACK RIDING Saddle up and enjoy a strength-building frolic through nature. Being in contact with horses is also known to have positive psychological ef-
3. HIKING Hibernation season is over! Escape the daily grind and get back in
PAGE 29
4. RAFTING Make a splash and say goodbye to stress while you work on your coordination and endurance. Springtime water levels are a thrill-seeker’s best friend!
fects. 7. ROCK CLIMBING There’s no better whole-body workout than rock climbing. Ready to reach new heights and discover breathtaking landscapes?
5. BE SOCIAL Your overall health depends on physiological and psychological factors. Nurturing relationships is good for morale, and having a strong social circle benefits self-confidence in addition to providing support when you need it.
In some locales, snow sticks around well into the spring — providing the perfect opportunity to hit the slopes without freezing!
Eager to eat better? Focus on changing one habit at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Five facts about naturopathy Whether you’re feeling stressed, dealing with digestive issues or simply striving to live an overall healthier life, naturopathy could be the key to achieving your goals. Interested? Here are a few things to know about this versatile discipline. 1. NATUROPATHY IS, WELL, NATURAL. This form of alternative medicine uses treatment methods that are completely natural, such as dietary changes, herbal remedies and aromatherapy. 2. ITS FOCUS IS SELF-HEALING. Rather than treat symptoms directly, naturopathic care
aims first and foremost to stimulate and reinforce the body’s natural healing abilities. 3. IT TREATS THE ROOT CAUSE. Naturopathy takes a holistic approach to health care. This means that naturopathic treatments consider each patient as a whole instead of focusing on individual symptoms, which are believed to stem from deeper unbalances in the body. 4. IT CAN BE PREVENTIVE AND CURATIVE. Naturopathy can be used to maintain the body’s natural balance (thus preventing disturbances that could weaken the immune system) or to bring it
back to a balanced state. It is not, however, a substitute for conventional medicine and shouldn’t be treated as such, but it can provide complementary benefits. 5. IT’S HANDS-ON. To help patients achieve better health and wellness, naturopaths often recommend lifestyle changes. The effectiveness of the treatment therefore depends on the patient’s willingness to participate and to follow the practitioner’s recommendations.
EASTER SPECIALS FOR CARIBBEAN RESTAURANTS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC PRICES EFFECTIVE ON MEAT ORDERS PLACED BETWEEN
APRIL 3RD - APRIL 17TH
WE OFFER DEPENDABLE FREE DELIVERY FOR ALL YOUR BASIC COOKING NEEDS. ALL OUR MEATS COME FROZEN, CUT AND TRIMMED BEFORE WEIGHING. DON’T PAY FOR FAT.
9
$72 PER BOX
$
Easter Honey Buns 8x40oz
00
28
$
Tastee Cheese 12x1kg
8
$
50
99
20
$170 PER BOX
Betapac Curry 20x450g
$347 PER CASE
$
Nutrament 12x355ml
00
TOP QUALITY MEAT & FISH
580
$
Red Snapper 40 lbs
Ting Grapefruit Drink 24x285ml
/lb
20
$
s ’ r e h c t u B hoice C
Oxtail
(Quick Cook)
50 lbs
0
$9.00 PER CASE
$
Governor’s Choice Ackee 24x540ml
75
Brown Betty Coconut Cream 40x142g
Carrots 50lbs
5
$140 PER CASE
$
83
1
$40 PER CASE
$ 00
Bone Mutton
4
Boneless Mutton
24
$
00
White Potatoes 50lbs
24
$
00
5
Fresh Seasonings from Jamaica (Scotch Bonnet, Scallions, Thyme)
SPECIALS ARE VALID ONLY WITH MINIMUM MEAT PURCHASE
90 /lb
9
$
Grace Island Soda 12x355ml
Onions 50lbs
/lb
00
50 lbs
Jamaican Pride Butter Beans 12X14oz
5
50
00
24
$
00
50 lbs
80 /lb
Fresh Produce from Jamaica (Yams, dasheen, sweet potatoes, etc)
FREE SAMPLE SEASONING BOX
WITH 1st OXTAIL ORDER - SCALLIONS, THYME & SCOTCH BONNET
647-913-7282 • 1-844-439-7761 • INFO@EMBRYDON.COM • WWW.EMBRYDON.COM
PLEASE NOTE: We need at least 48 hours to fill meat orders. To order produce and grocery itemsplease place your order by Wednesday for delivery the following week.
health
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Hereditary cancers: the surprising truth and what to do about it Your genes determine how your body develops and functions. When genetic mutations occur, the cells in your body can start to divide uncontrollably, which may then lead to cancer. While many gene mutations are caused by aging and exposure to carcinogens like cigarette smoke, some mutations are passed from parent to child. Only five to 10 per cent of cancer cases are inherited. Nevertheless, if you want to reduce your risk of contracting the disease, it’s important to know your family’s medical history as it pertains to cancer. Some cancers that are linked to inherited gene mutations include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and certain types of leukemia and lymphoma. If you have family members who’ve had cancer, your doctor may recommend you undergo genetic testing. These tests analyze your DNA to determine if you have the associated gene mutation for the specific type of cancer that’s prevalent in your family. It’s your right to decide whether or not to have genetic testing. For many people, genetic testing helps them get clarity, take action early and make good decisions about their health. Others prefer not to know if they’re predisposed to cancer. If you test positive for a gene mutation linked to cancer, it doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get the disease. You can take steps to lower your risk, such as: • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by regularly exercising, eating a healthy diet and avoiding smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol • Visiting your doctor regularly • Starting cancer screenings at a younger age or having them more frequently • Having preventive surgery (like a mastectomy if you have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation) • Taking drugs that could lower your risk
PAGE 31
How drinking alcohol increases your risk of cancer Did you know that having one or more alcoholic drinks a day increases your chances of getting cancer? According to the Canadian Cancer Society, consuming 3.5 drinks a day doubles or even triples your risk of developing cancer of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, throat and esophagus (also known as head and neck cancer). It also increases your risk of developing colorectal and breast cancer by 1.5 times. Plus, long-term alcohol use has been linked to an elevated risk of liver cancer. Even light drinkers — people who consume no more than one alcoholic drink a day — have an increased risk of developing certain cancers, especially breast cancer. Furthermore, while both alcohol and tobacco are carcinogens on their own, smoking and drinking together makes your aerodigestive tract much more susceptible to cancer. Additio-
nally, according to a recent study, people who consume alcohol and tobacco together are up to 35 times more likely to develop some form of head and neck cancer. Keep in mind that one drink is defined as 142 millilitres (5 ounces) of wine, 341 millilitres (12 ounces) of beer or 43 millilitres (1.5 ounces) of spirits. It’s recommended that men avoid consuming more than two drinks a day and women more than one. When it comes to alcohol, the leading cancer experts agree: the more you drink, the greater your risk for developing cancer.
Cancer survival: then and now Thanks to increased awareness and major advances in medical research over the last 50 years, cancer survival rates have drastically improved. Let’s keep doing our part to fund organizations working hard to find cures and share information so that the number of deaths from cancer in Canada continues to decrease. PROSTATE CANCER Prostate cancer mortality rates decreased by about 40% between 1995 and 2012, thanks to the introduction of routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings.
If one or more of your family members has battled cancer, talk to your doctor about what you can do to reduce your own risk and whether or not genetic testing might be right for you. BREAST CANCER Breast cancer mortality rates decreased by 44% between 1989 and 2018. This progress is due to increased emphasis on early detection and advances in mammography.
LUNG CANCER The leading cancer killer in Canada, lung cancer mortality rates have declined by over 2% each year since 1988. The decline can be attributed to greater public awareness about the dangers of smoking tobacco.
COLORECTAL CANCER Colorectal cancer mortality rates are declining on average 2.3% each year among men and 1.7% each year among women because of improvements in treatments and screenings.
health
PAGE 32
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Changing your footwear changes your life DR. VIKAS PURI drpuri@carib101.com
HEALTH SPECIALIST
LUNCH SPECIAL Jerk, Stewed, Curried or BBQ Chicken Served With Rice & Peas or Plain Rice With Coleslaw or Steamed Vegetables
11:00am to 2:00pm
5
99
DAILY SPECIALS Mondays: Stewed Beef Small $9.50 • Large $11.00 Tuesdays: Spared Ribs Small $9.50 • Large $11.00 Wednesdays: Jerk Pork Small $9.50 • Large $11.00 Thursdays: Stew Peas Small $9.50 • Large $11.00 Fridays: Fried Chicken Small $9.50 • Large $11.00
TIPS FROM YOUR CHIROPRACTOR
$5.99 Breakfast Special 7 AM to 11 AM - Meyerside Location
How to prevent tendonitis
Ackee and Saltfish • Okra and Saltfish • Callaloo and Saltfish • Brown Stew Kidney WE DELIVER THROUGH
FRIDAY SOCIAL - EVERY LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH
DOMINOES & HORS D’OERVRES FROM 6-11PM | LIVE DJLOCATION WINSTON CHURCHILL LOCATION
www.reggaefusion.ca 1087 Meyerside Dr, Mississauga, ON L5T 1M5 (905) 670-1010
Your feet have an important job; they carry you throughout the day, with every step making an impact on your body. A small abnormality in your feet can lead to postural imbalance, which in turn can cause pain and disease! The most common foot abnormalities have to do with the arches (like being flat-footed), or the bones of the feet being misaligned causing bunions or hammertoes. Your feet are a complex system of 52 bones, 66 joints, 214 ligaments, 38 muscles, and tendons. When you are running, the pressure on your feet can be three or four times your body weight. Even walking can produce more pressure than the sum of your body weight. The American Podiatric Medical Association says that the average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. That adds up to about 115,000 miles in a lifetime or more than four times the circumference of the globe! Humans were not meant to stand on hard surfaces all day such as cement floors or wear shoes that do not allow our feet to grip the ground. Add to this the fact that almost nobody’s feet are perfect, it is no wonder then that 75% of people will experience foot problems, and 80% of people will experience resultant back pain at some point in their lives. Women have four times as many foot problems as men because they have a long history of wearing high heels and/or pointy toe shoes. Problems in our feet throw off our posture, creating abnormal stress in our spine which pinches off spinal nerves. The spinal nerves exiting our spine are the power supply to the body, sending important brain signals to our body which guide our health and wellbeing. Every organ of our body is connected to the spine. So, if the organ systems are not getting the right nerve flow, improper organ function, and subsequent disease results! 90% of the signals to the brain on a
daily basis have to do with proprioception, the sense of where we are in space which leads to balance and coordination. If these signals are not proper due to improper posture, stress hormone builds up in our system, and our overall health becomes impaired. The first things that happen when a stress hormone known as cortisol increases is a reduction in the functioning of our digestive system, reproductive system, and immune system. This can then cascade into many other symptoms and diseases. Chiropractic doctors are trained to evaluate posture and diagnose spinal issues and related problems arising from nerves, bones, muscles and soft tissues, including feet! They then treat these issues, naturally and gently, without medications. This improves one’s health and prevents health issues in the future. Improving foot function and posture reduces cortisol levels in the body which improves spine function, organ function and brain function, leading to a better quality of life. Chiropractors perform a foot and gait analysis, often using sophisticated computer software along with a physical examination to determine biomechanical problems in the feet and lower extremity region. Custom orthotics are often recommended to correct for any abnormalities detected. They offer a very simple and effective means of improving foot function. This improves our posture and gait and provides a synergistic effect on the efficacy of chiropractic treatments in improving our health. Custom-made orthotics are a simple solution to foot pain, resulting in body pains and disease. They are custom built insoles you place in your footwear to improve foot alignment, just like braces for the teeth. They are very comfortable and immediately improve your health. There are different types of orthotics depending on your style of footwear. There are different ones for casual, dress, athletic and high heels. The Intelligent Health Group is hosting its 5th annual “discover week” between April 1 to 6, 2019. During this week they will be offering complimentary foot and spine examinations. It is highly recommended that everyone attend and get educated on how “healthy” they are and what can be done. Remember, changing your footwear can change your life.
3115 Winston Churchill Blvd Mississauga, Ontario L5L 5S3 (905) 569-0323
Tendonitis is the inflammation of an overworked tendon in such areas as the wrist, shoulder or knee. The irritation is usually caused by repetitive movements that are done inappropriately. Several measures can be taken to reduce the risk of developing tendonitis; the main one is to vary your activities and movements as much as possible. Take frequent, short breaks if your work or leisure activities require repetitive motions. Also, when you exercise or have to carry heavy loads, be sure to warm up beforehand and use the right technique. Strengthening the muscles that support your joint areas can also help you prevent tendonitis, as can adapting your work environment so it is ergonomically sound. Tendonitis should always be treated as
quickly as possible or you may risk developing chronic tendonitis or more serious problems, such as a torn tendon. Your chiropractor will be able to assess the state of your neuro-musculoskeletal system and identify the source of the problem in order to promote healing.
CANADA’S URBAN MUSIC SUPERSTATION
OLD SCHOOL HIP HOP & R&B YOU’RE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR OLD SCHOOL HIP HOP, R&B, REGGAE, SOCA AND MORE!
Carib101.com
PAGE 34
community
DO YOU ENJOY THE ARTICLES IN EACH EDITION?
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Simone, I don’t think that is a good idea! SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
HUMAN SPECIALIST
Greetings Toronto Caribbeans! I am sure many of you are excited because the sun is starting to shine a little more, and the temperature is rising. That is a lot to be excited about; it lets us know that we have time to change, and we can change with the season. I wanted to share a quick story, and then I will jump into our topic for this edition. I was speaking to my wonderful friend Trish Browning - who happens to be the female energy running the paper - and I told her that I was thinking of giving up my column because I thought that it was time that I focused on the other writing assignments I had. Plus, we have some exciting new writers joining us, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for someone to take my space. Trish’s answer surprised me; she said, “Simone I don’t think it is a good idea to give up your column.” I won’t
FIND THESE ARTICLES AND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE www.TORONTOCARIBBEAN.com
EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ONE NEWSPAPER
lie; I was shocked by her answer. “Well, why not Trish!” Her answer resonated through me, and I had to sit back in my chair for a moment. “Simone, your column is timeless. The things you write about are necessary for our community. They will never go out of style, they are not trending topics; they are topics that will continue to be relevant years from now.” I sat with that for a moment and really took it in. When I write, I do so to share all that I have learned. I want others to experience the slow, but the steady success that I have achieved. I have learned that in order to truly live a life of contentment, one has to stay evolving. What does evolving look like? Well, it is different for everyone, because we all start out in different situations, and have different experiences. Your evolution could be as simple as getting rid of someone in your life who was negative. It could be graduating from University and thinking, what’s next? It could be looking at your rounding belly, as you get prepare to welcome a life into the world. Whatever it is, you have to go through all of the growing pains and learn from them. With each experience, a clearer picture of your purpose will begin to emerge, but you
have to be paying attention to it. This conversation with Trish showed me where I had evolved, and how I had evolved. It took me a while to start this article, and with reflection, I think I know why. It was time to separate myself from my ego. It was important to take in what Trish had said, and not let it go to my head. My skills and talents were given to me, and they have only become stronger because I have worked tirelessly on them. This has meant many early mornings, and late nights. This has meant nights when I come home, and my partner Dave puts a plate of hot food in front of me – God bless his heart- I eat, knock out for two to three hours, and then I am up again. I have sat many risings, watching the sun come over the horizon, taking in the stillness, and then that break in stillness. It is humbling when you look back at the work that you have put in, only to realize that you have just started. A Better Tomorrow is not going anywhere, and I want to thank Trish Browning for reminding me that my work here on earth is important. Having people in your life remind you of your importance is not about having people stroke your ego. It is a reminder that you are here for a purpose, one that goes beyond your own imagination.
I’d travel the sea to find you COLLEEN LINDBERG colleen@carib101.com
LIFESTYLE COACH
Have you ever felt this way before for someone else? That you would go to the ends of the earth to find them, explore with them and be with them? I ask you the question today would you do the same for yourself? Would you go to the depths of the emotions, to the farthest part of the world for discovery and would you challenge yourself to align yourself with self-love and that never-ending love that we hope to find in others? It’s an interesting concept if you think about it. Most of us are looking for that one great love. That takes your breath away love and we already have it, it’s inside us. Self-
love is a common theme these days in the personal development realm. You are hearing and seeing it everywhere. But what is it really? Self-love is that never-ending, always accepting, love that I have for me. It’s the love that even when I put on 10 pounds, or scar my face or fail miserably at launching a product, that I can still turn to myself and say “I love you still”. It’s the foundation love that gives you confidence, self-respect and most of all really makes you understand what you are worth. Until you really love yourself, you will not be able to fully love others. There will always be a disconnect there for you. Something will be missing or nagging or pulling at that relationship until you step in and truly love yourself. At this moment in time, it’s like you get the feeling that no matter what everything will always be ok because you have you. Such a powerful position to be in. As I write this for you today, I reflect back on times in my life where I have sacrificed myself for others. Where I lowered my standards just to try and be liked or loved or even accepted.
If you look around at your life right now you might see that reflection for you. It’s a hard pill to swallow and it’s a hard one to move out of, but trust me when I say, self-love is so worth it. A few things to try for yourself… how about telling yourself that you love yourself every day. Write out a list of qualities that you love about yourself. Stand in front of a mirror naked with no judgment (the hardest one). Every day before you hit the hay, reflect on the day and tell yourself about how proud you are of you, what you did today and the things you will change tomorrow. I am not naïve enough to think this will all change on a dime for people, but I am naïve enough to think that small movements and actions forward yield exponential results. The challenge is always is starting. Selflove is the greatest journey of all in this world, it’s the foundation love of life. It will always be something you will work on as you evolve as your person, but remember you are love, you are light and most of all you are choosing, so choose you. Love you… and then you will be loved by others.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
life
PAGE 35
Child support for adult children The case for post-secondary education VALERIE DYE valerie@carib101.com
LEGAL SPECIALIST
Neither the Federal Divorce Act nor the provincial Family Law Act restricts the payment of child support to only minor children. While the languages used in each Act is different they both suggest that a payor may be required to pay support for children who are adults. With regard to the Divorce Act, which applies to a child born to spouses who are married or who have gone through a divorce, the eligibility for support is based upon the inability of the adult child to withdraw from the parent’s charge. While such
inability may stem from the child’s disability, or other illness, most instances of a claim for support arise from the fact that the child is attending post-secondary education. While the issue of post-secondary education is not specifically mentioned in the Divorce Act it is mentioned in the Family Law Act, which states that: (1) ‘Every parent has an obligation to provide support for his or her unmarried child who is a minor or is enrolled in a fulltime program of education, to the extent that the parent is capable of doing so’. (2) The obligation under subsection (1) does not extend to a child who is sixteen years of age or older and has withdrawn from parental control. As stated in the 2014 case of Meyer v Content, the child must be unable to withdraw from parental control by virtue of his financial or emotional dependence on one or both parents. In making its assessment the court will have to determine
whether the child is truly dependent on the parents and would not be able to pursue his education without the assistance of one or both parents. The fact that the child is still attending school may not be enough to justify continued support beyond the age of majority. In the 2012 Ontario Superior case of Menegaldo v Menegaldo, the court set out 12 factors to help determine whether or not an adult child should receive support for post-secondary education. Those factors are summarised as follows: (a)Enrollment in full-time education,(b) ability to find part-time work, (c)ability to obtain student loans,(c) whether the child has a reasonable and beneficial education and career plan or is simply attending school because he/she has nothing else to do,(d) the child’s academic performance,(e) the age, qualification and experience of the child, (f ) what plans were made by the parents for the education of
the child, (g)the means of the parents, (h) the willingness of the child to remain accountable to the parents with regard to their education. Where a child refuses to maintain a relationship with a parent this may be an indication that the child is able to withdraw from parental charge and may not be in need of financial support from the parents. All of these factors will not necessarily apply in every case. These are simply factors to be considered by the court. For instance, while the court may not compel a child to obtain student loans, it has been decided in some cases that a child should make some contribution toward a portion of their own post-secondary education. Further, a parent who continues to pay child support for a child enrolled in postsecondary education is entitled to obtain details of the academic programme and of the child’s performance on the programme.
We rise together; Peel District School Board recruiting Black and Indigenous teachers KATHY McDONALD kathy@carib101.com
SCHOOL TRUSTEE
As an elected Brampton Trustee for Wards 3 and 4, it is my responsibility to take action when it comes to the needs of the community. One need that has been identified during my ongoing community and educational research, is the need for more Black and Indigenous teachers in the classrooms. In 2018, a motion was put forward to the Human Resources and Negotiations Advisory Committee (HRNAC). After consulting, analyzing data and taking all the necessary steps, the HRNAC recommended the motion be received. On Monday, March 25th, the Peel District School Board, with a vote of 3 to 9, set into motion targeted a hiring recruitment fair of Black and Indigenous teachers. The motion reads;
Whereas, based on several research reports and studies conducted, the Peel District School Board created, “We Rise Together,” the action plan to: identify, understand, minimize and eliminate the marginalization experienced by black male students in the Peel School Board, and the Indigenous Education Action Plan to: identify, understand, minimize and eliminate the marginalization experienced by Indigenous students in the Peel School Board, Whereas, the intentional hiring of Black and Indigenous teachers who are equipped to: create inclusive teaching and learning environments, that promote the intellectual engagement of Black and Indigenous students, and who reflect their narratives, interests, strengths and cultural perspectives, will contribute to a learning environment that is authentic and meaningful to all students. Be it resolved, that the Peel District School Board embark on a targeted recruitment initiative to hire Black and Indigenous teachers. Simply put, this motion seeks to service and address the marginalization of Black and Indigenous students. It is not about addressing equitable hiring; it is about intentional hiring to address the
fact that Black and Indigenous students are doing far worse than their peers in the academic arena. As a Trustee, I go to on average 23 graduations each year, so I get to see the students who are graduating, and those who are not. I also get to see the students who are winning awards and those who are not. There are countless studies including research from our own board that has scientifically proven that having black teachers, even one, can make the difference in a black student’s life and increase their likelihood of graduating. Famed John Hopkins researcher Greg Stanley states that “A low-income black student’s probability of dropping out of school if he or she has just one black teacher in elementary school lessons by 29%.” Seth Gershenson and Constance Lindsey of the American University conducted a study, and their findings demonstrated the strength of the role model effect. In high school, black students; both boys and girls had a much higher expectation of going to university if they had a black teacher because black teachers have high expectations for them. Additional studies, including a study done by Cherng’s of New York University, had
Private mortgages with
NO LENDING FEES
oz
Home equity loans from 3,000-30,000 and NO LEGAL FEES
powered by
Zvika Shluper
Mortgage Agent, FSCO Lic. #12465
C A P I TA L
Unit 11, 201 Spinnaker Way, Concord, ON L4K 4C6 Tel: 905-532-9288 | Cell: 416-452-8245 www.zvikashluper.ca | zvika@ozcapital.ca
results showing that students of all races, White, Black, Latino and Asian benefit. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has two calls to action that relate directly to education. They refer to making age-appropriate curriculum and providing indigenous teaching methods in the classroom. It is time as an educational institution to honor these calls to action. The Human Rights Policy clearly states that if we know that people or systems are behaving in a manner that is discriminatory and we do nothing, then we can be held as being complicit. That is collusion, and in my opinion a classic case of systemic antiBlack racism and anti-Indigenous racism. Last Monday, the Peel District School Board took steps to protect some of its most vulnerable students and made commitments to provide the necessary: learning environment, resources, and educators for Black and Indigenous students. Overall, the research at all levels, and cross-culturally show that this motion will be beneficial for our students. It is my responsibility as a Trustee to do what is right for our vulnerable students.
life
PAGE 36
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Narratives of women of color in law: Part 1 NOW ACCEPTING
NEW TV SHOW PROPOSALS TCN TV Network is now accepting TV Show proposals for the 2019 Season. To submit a show proposal, please log on to www.mytcntv.com and click on “Propose A Show”. All proposals are subject to review and approval. All shows are streamed LIVE and in studio (Brampton, ON)*.
*ALL SHOWS ARE PROFESSIONALLY PRODUCED. A MONTHLY FEE IS APPLICABLE
youtube.com/mytcntv
fb.com/mytcntv
twitter.com/mytcntv
BRITTNEY CHANNER brittney@carib101.com
JUSTICE WARRIOR
Welcome back to another prosperous week filled with lots of sun and high hopes for the arrival of spring. If you’re like me, you’ve been counting down the days till t-shirt weather returns, where you will be able to bask in all the sunshine. Keep holding on Toronto, summer will be arriving at your doorsteps very shortly. Anyways, this week I’d like to tell you about my experience attending a women in law conference at the University of Windsor’s Law school. For those who know me personally, being a lawyer is something that has been a real dream of mine for years and every so often I like to participate in stimulating discussions about the profession that I and anyone else who has a passion for law, will be entering. This conference provided thoughtprovoking information as it not only spoke about issues pertaining to being a woman of color in the legal profession but it acknowledged the much-needed work that needs to be done in order to create an environment that is equity-based. There was a panel of four female lawyers, all of different backgrounds and races. They all discussed their difficulties and experiences managing their way through law school and their careers, especially within a male-dominated profession. Topics of discussion stemmed from equal pay, acts of prejudice, racism and being true to oneself. Out of the four lawyers on the panel, I personally connected with the story of Charlene Theodore. Charlene is a graduate of the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University where she has a background in public policy and government relations. In addition, she is the 2nd Vice President of the Ontario Bar Association where she is the 10th woman to fill such a role and the 1st black woman to lead the OBA since its founding in 1907. When speaking of her journey to law school and after completion, Charlene proudly admits that she knew at a very young age that she wanted to be a lawyer. However, specific to being a woman of color, the challenges that Charlene faced and many other women of color in the legal profession became more apparent once they arrived at law school. Issues surrounding having other students, professors and those outside and inside of the profession take you seriously, having people make assumptions about what areas
of law you should practice based solely on your race, was, unfortunately, the ugly side of the legal experience. Nevertheless, Professor Beverly Jacobs, an Aboriginal law school professor at the University of Windsor, who was also a part of the panel, told the small audience that when faced with an individual who possessed particular prejudices, she made it her mission to sit beside them and educate them directly whether it be through holding a conversation with them or confronting them directly on their incorrect notions. Being someone who is highly interested in this profession, I must admit her comments in this regard instilled fear within me. Dealing with other individual’s prejudices and discrimination has always been an area of challenge for me. Sitting on the fence of whether to educate or to leave someone bathing in their pool of ignorance has always been the dichotomy that has plagued my mind. For those who are thinking of a career in the legal profession, this may be a hurdle that you’ll possibly have to jump over. Another challenge and a very important element that Charlene Theodore brought up in the discussion was the idea of generational wealth and the possible impact it had on her attaining a legal education. For many people of color, the idea of generational wealth hasn’t been a concept that has fully been attained or established in this country in comparison to other races or classes. The idea of income continues to be a barrier for many students of color and therefore the starting line into the legal realm is often unbalanced. The idea of generational income really resonated with me in particular as I carefully took note of everything that was being said. Coming from a single parent household, I have constantly run into the question of affordability when it came to any type of higher learning. As exasperating as it may seem to answer the same question repeatedly, the difficulty remains and continues to act as the main barrier for many people of color. If you come from a family that has not generated such type of wealth, the goal may be more challenging but definitely not unachievable. Maneuvering around such complex career choices can be exhausting, especially when you are dealing with paths that involve a high financial commitment. It is necessary to understand fully what these difficulties entail and how you can prepare yourself to tackle them head-on. No matter what the profession, there are challenges in every career choice one may take; especially being a person of color. However, with proper preparation, mentorship, and guidance, you can refrain from being consumed by them.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Update your bedroom with new curtains and bedding Does your bedroom need an upgrade? Change the look of the room with new curtains and sheets. Here’s how to choose the perfect new linens for your room.
the colour of the wall and use pattern and texture to make them stand out. Alternatively, you could hang a multi-coloured pattern and make them a focal point.
CURTAINS When selecting curtains, think about the look you want in the room and then find a fabric that corresponds. Linen and cotton blends are more casual and cheerful, while silk and velvet are refined and regal.
BEDDING You don’t need to match your bedding to your curtains but they should co-ordinate. You can pull a colour from the pattern on your curtains or use a contrasting colour. If you’d like to use different patterns for your curtains and bedding, stay in the same colour palette.
Next, think about the colour and pattern you’d like. You can match your curtains to
When buying your sheets, invest in high-quality, natural fabrics. Egyptian cotton is classic and comfortable, while silk feels luxurious and has the added bonus of being gentle on your hair and skin. By changing the linens in your bedroom, you’ll wake up feeling like you’re somewhere new.
How to choose the perfect paint for your walls Are you thinking of giving your walls a fresh coat of paint this spring? Having a hard time deciding what colours to choose? Here are some tips for selecting the perfect shades. • Decide on the room’s entire look before selecting your paint. This will allow you to really pull the room together with colour. • Once you’ve settled on the design of a room and chosen the furniture and accessories, take inspiration from a colour featured in a favourite area rug or throw. This will ensure your room looks pulled together. • If you’re painting rooms that open into each other, make the transition seamless by choosing colours that are two or three shades apart on the same paint chip. • Choose a neutral paint for rooms where something else is the focal
point. Bold hues work best in rooms where everything else is understated. • A tiny paint chip isn’t enough to let you know if the colour will work in a given room. Instead, buy a sample and paint a small area so you can see the colour during different times of the day. No matter your style, following these tips will help you find the perfect new colour for your walls.
home & garden
PAGE 37
How to get rid of clutter and organize your home A tidy and organized home can feel like a refuge at the end of the day. If your home has become cluttered and disorganized, take the time to declutter and sort it out. Going room by room, the first step is to get rid of anything you don’t need. It may seem overwhelming at first, but removing unwanted and unneeded things will be liberating. You may even find yourself throwing out more than you originally planned. If you’re not sure where to begin, start by getting rid of items that don’t get used and articles you have multiples of. Donate things that others can find a use for and throw out anything too damaged or heavily used to be donated. Keep in mind that the amount of things in a home needs to correspond to the amount of storage available. People who live in small apartments will end up keeping fewer things than those who live in single-family homes. Once you remove the excess items from your home, organize everything else using storage containers, baskets and boxes. Articles that don’t have a home will probably end up being piled on your table or kitchen counter. Designate a place for everything in your home and make it a point to put belongings away as soon as you’re done with them.
Operation clean air: five ways to get rid of indoor air pollution Spring cleaning may make you think of washing windows and laundering curtains, but what about the air inside your home? In some residences, the air indoors can be more polluted than the air outside. And unfortunately, dust and dirt can make respiratory issues like asthma worse. Here are five strategies to help you breathe easier. 1. Keep your floors clean: make sure people take their shoes off at the door and to vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This way, you’ll reduce allergens and harmful chemicals that can get into your home. 2. Don’t let it get too humid: excess humidity attracts mould, dust mites and other allergens. Use a dehumidifier or an air conditioner to keep humidity levels low. 3. Get some houseplants: not only do
plants help filter the air in your home, they can also boost your mood. Peace lilies and rubber plants make great air purifiers and are easy to take care of. 4. Have your ducts cleaned: think of air ducts as the lungs of your home; all the air from your heating and cooling systems flow through them. If you can’t remember the last time you had them professionally cleaned, now’s the time. 5. Change your filters: your air conditioner, furnace, dryer and range hood all have filters that should be changed regularly to keep them working efficiently and the air in your home clean. This spring, breath easier by adding the above five items to your spring cleaning todo list.
PAGE 38
automotive
Three technologies for better vehicle maintenance
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Keeping your kids safe in the car
Cars contain nine major systems and are made up of some 30,000 parts. Unsurprisingly, it can be a challenge to keep up with your vehicle’s maintenance needs. However, there are a number of technologies that can help with the task. Here are three of the handiest.
Thanks to car seats and booster seats, young kids and infants can safely travel by car. However, to ensure their well-being, there are certain precautions you need to take concerning their seats as well as the vehicle itself.
1. OBD-II SCANNER On-board diagnostics (OBD) systems are built-in computers in vehicles designed to provide owners and repair technicians data enabling them to identify and remedy car issues. Since 1996, all vehicles come equipped with OBD-II systems (the current iteration). With an OBD-II scanner, vehicle owners can become aware of mechanical issues by connecting to their vehicle’s OBD-II system and getting real-time information about their vehicle’s functioning.
CAR SEAT SAFETY Infants and toddlers should be in rear-facing car seats until they’re at least two years old and weigh 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Keep your child in their rear-facing seat for as long as possible — until they’ve exceeded the seat’s weight and height limits.
2. BLUETOOTH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM This tool comprises four high-tech replacement caps for the air valves on your tires. They send tire pressure information to your mobile device via Bluetooth, allowing you to easily keep your tire pressure at the optimum level. 3. CAR MAINTENANCE APPS There are no shortage of mobile apps enabling motorists to stay on top of their vehicle’s maintenance needs, notably by providing timely reminders about important tasks like oil changes and tire rotations. The most sophisticated ones let you keep track of a bunch of things: maintenance, repairs, expenditures, distance driven, gas mileage and more. They typically provide neat charts and graphs so you can easily visualize the information. Such technologies are great but they’re no substitute for an inspection by a mechanic. To make sure your car’s countless parts are in good shape, regular maintenance checkups are a must.
When between 10 kilograms (22 pounds) and 18 kilograms (40 pounds), toddlers and young children can sit in forward-facing car seats. It’s best to secure children in their forward-facing car seat until they’ve reached the maximum weight and height limit for the particular seat.
VEHICLE SAFETY If you’re purchasing a new vehicle, your primary concern as a parent is how safe it is for your children. Look for a car with high safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These ratings can be found on their website at iihs.org. Also, check the IIHS LATCH rating (also provided on the IIHS website), which evaluates the safety of a vehicle’s child seat attachment hardware. Moreover, look at vehicles’ individual safety featu res (for instance, back-up cameras, blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance systems and traction control). Whether you’re getting a new vehicle or sticking with your current one, make sure it receives regular maintenance. A well-maintained vehicle is less likely to be involved in accidents.
Kids who are at least four and weigh above 18 kilograms (40 pounds) can move on to a booster seat. Choose the seat that you’re able to correctly install every time and that’s the best fit for both your child and your vehicle. The best place for a car seat is in the middle of the backseat.
DID YOU KNOW?
DID YOU KNOW?
DID YOU KNOW?
On a global scale, there are about 220,000 vehicles produced every day. About 14 of the bunch are Ferraris and more than 13,000 are Toyotas. At the end of the year, this adds up to more than 80 million vehicles.
Approximately 70 per cent of the cars Rolls-Royce produced since the company was founded in 1906 are still on the road. Suffice to say, they’ve stood the test of time!
About 80 per cent of a vehicle’s materials are recyclable. Moreover, vehicles are the most recycled consumer product in the world. So when you take your old ride to the scrap yard, know that it’s not the end of its journey.
DID YOU KNOW? Today, women buy more cars then men. They purchase 60 per cent of all new cars sold and influence 80 per cent of all new car purchases. Their preferred ride? Generally small SUVs and compact cars.
DID YOU KNOW? Drivers are 23 times more likely to be in a collision when texting behind the wheel. Looking down at a cell phone for five seconds while driving at 90 kilometres per hour is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
fun
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
PAGE 39
WEEK OF MARCH 31 TO APRIL 6 2019
ARIES
The luckiest signs this week: TAURUS, GEMINI AND CANCER
You’re more vulnerable to colds and flus, even if you’re only slightly tired. Make sure to take time to recover from your su perhuman efforts.
TAURUS
People who are easily confused will surround you and you’ll need to withdraw for a bit. You’ll be inspired to start a new spiritual practice.
PUZZLE NO. 679 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 679
HOW TO PLAY :
GEMINI
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.
Time is a rare commodity for many people and you won’t be an exception this week. You’ll find yourself working overtime to ensure you meet your deadlines.
Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column, or 3x3 box.
You’ll start to organize a trip as part of a couple or group. You’ll also make changes at home, which won’t be limited to moving your furniture around.
CANCER
LEO
You’ll have to fight to find prof essional success. Good things are coming but you should be prepared for a bit of stress first.
PUZZLE NO. 942 41. Typical 44. ____ capita 45. Pout 46. Neck part 48. Moving truck 51. Manipulates 52. No-see-um 53. Self-respect 54. Lairs 55. Electric swimmers 56. Emulate a tailor
DOWN
ACROSS
1. Jump 4. Slow 8. Skillful 12. Go wrong 13. ____ Boleyn 14. Fido’s tormentor 15. Small 16. Skin
17. “____ in Yonkers” 18. Soup or coat 20. Arm joints 22. Mend 24. Self-pension initials 25. British noblemen 27. Medical-school
class 31. Actress Arden 32. Spicy 34. Sound of derision 35. Shortcake or mousse 37. Pert 39. Asphalt 40. Mexican coin
28. Witnesses 29. Peat ____ 30. Toy 33. Organize 36. Accent 38. Orangutan 41. On the ____ (precisely) 42. Unwrap 43. Country road 44. Furry companions 45. Mire
47. Friend 49. Ripen 50. Presently
LIBRA
There’s lots of work on the horizon and you’ll receive an interesting job offer from the competition. You’ll struggle if your integrity is called into question.
SCORPIO
Your antics will diffuse a situation by making people laugh. You can expect praise for the way you deal with the situation.
SAGITTARIUS
ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 942
1. Chop 2. Natural mineral 3. Gets ready 4. “____ Was a Rollin’ Stone” 5. Half a pair 6. Leg hinge 7. Bellowing 8. At sea 9. Punch 10. Fewer 11. Munch 19. Building wing 21. Whinnies 22. Listen 23. Chalet feature 26. Mist 27. Pismire
VIRGO
You’ll need to make compromises before reaching an agreement that pleases everyone. You’ll have justice on your side when deal ing with a conflict.
There will be lots to do at home with your family and you’ll become a hero in the eyes of your loved ones. You’ll show a great amount of responsibility by placing your own priorities before anything else.
CAPRICORN
Others will take notice of you when you find the right words to express your point of view. When you get a new car, you’ll drive around showing it off to your friends.
AQUARIUS
You might start to take steps towards buying property or finding a better place to live. Shopping for your family will lead you to complete an ongoing project.
PISCES
You’ll be full of energy and ready to take on anything, at work as well as in your personal life. A getaway with your romantic partner, friends or family members will be greatly appreciated.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING
WANT TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE? CALL US AT 647-722-6298 ORIGINAL AD
SUBSCRIBE NOW • SEARCH “myTCNtv”
POSITIVE • UPLIFTING • EMPOWERING
MODIFIED AD
SUBSCRIBE NOW • SEARCH “myTCNtv”
POSITIVE • UPLIFTING • EMPOWERING
FOR SALE FOR SALE
FOR RENT SALE FOR
FOR SALE ANNOUNCEMENTS
JAMAICA: 15 Acres of land property with large 3 bedroom house located on two main roads in Clarendon, Jamaica for sale. Going at extremely reasonable price. Please call 905-849-1091 for further information
HOUSE: Mature couple or Senior for newer home in Scarborough, McCowan and Eglinton. 3 bedroom, furnish or unfurnished. Call 416-723-4261
TRINIDAD: 3 bedroom house, 2 1/2 bathrooms in Ozone Park gated community, Chase Village Trinidad $1.8M ono. Call Sherwin 1-868-750-1879
SUMMER CAMP: Weekend Film School Summer Camp. Open House Saturday March 23rd, 2019 - 1372 Queen St. East (Greenwood), Toronto, ON 9am - 12pm Savings of up to 30% Summer Camp Programs! RSVP - WhatsApp (437)995-7363
WELDER: WELDERS NEEDED URGENTLY ! Please call Tina 416.856.5407
FORWANTED SALE HELP
CLEANERS WANTED: Need Subcontractor Cleaners Serious Callers,Must speak English, Midnight Shifts and Must Drive. GTA locations. Text or Call 647-239-4808
JAMAICA: Land in Jamaica for sale at Southfield St. Elizabeth Near the ocean side. Call Roy 416.704.4096
ASSEMBLER: Coey Stairs is looking for a jr stair assembler. We will train you; you will be making treads, cleaning, installing and learning at the same time. Email debbie@coey.ca call 905.494.1099
LAND FOR SALE: 1/3 Acre of land in New Wales, Manchester, 5 minutes from Mandeville with utilities and good road CAD. $40,000. Call 647-884-8977
POST YOUR CLASSIFIED UP TO 30 WORDS FREE!
FOR SALE WORSHIP
PERSONALS COMPANIONSHIP: Young guy 50 is looking for white or black female 40 to 50 who like movies, dancing, traveling, shopping and going out. Cell 647-404-8462 | 905-937-7880
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
PEN FRIEND: 46 year old male looking for Caribbean living in Toronto as a Pen Friend. Women of any age interested in music, meeting friends, exchanging ideas and gifts email ebenezereshun64@gmail. com
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
SERVICES
MOVING & DELIVERIES: Williams Moving and Delivery Services | Van Moving $60/hr | Van Delivery $50 | 416-5709065
Subject To Space Availability - Call 647-722-6298
HUGE MATRESS SALE! SINGLE MATTRESS
45
STARTING AT
$ 6” SINGLE FOAM MATTRESS
85
$
WAS $199
PILLOW COMFORT QUEEN SET
449
$
WAS $899
ORTHOPEDIC BACK SUPPORTERS STARTING AT
799
20 YEAR WARRANTY SINGLE SET
200
WAS $300
ORTHOPEDIC SET 20 YEAR WARRANTY DOUBLE SET
250
$
499
Mattress & Furniture E M P O R I U M
255 Queen St. E, Unit 4 Brampton
250
WAS $899
WAS $390
$
ORTHOPEDIC SET 30 YEAR WARRANTY SINGLE SET
250
$
WAS $399
MEMORY FOAM QUEEN SET
PERFECTION PILLOW TOP QUEEN SET
999
$
HIGH DENSITY FOAM FIRM QUEEN SET
$
QUEEN SET
$
ORTHOPEDIC SET
$
ORTHOPEDIC 20 YEARS
$
WAS $1499
699
WAS $1199
STARTING AT
ORTHOPEDIC SET 30 YEAR WARRANTY DOUBLE SET
299
$
WAS $540
ULTRA COMFORT 16” THICK PILLOW TOP QUEEN SET
999
$
WAS $1799
MONDAY-FRIDAY: 10:00am to 8:30pm SATURDAY: 10:00am to 5:30pm SUNDAY: 11:00am to 5:00pm
Tel: 905.874.7120
Sheik Fazill Haniff Sales Representative
ROYAL SPACE
REALTY BROKERAGE
Bus: 416-748-7900 Fax: 416-352-5268 Cel: 416-892-7213 Email: shaniff@trebnet.com 100 Westmore Dr #12 B Etobicoke, Ont. M9V 5c3
PAGE 42
real estate
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
CMHC to pitch-in 10% of house cost for first-time buyers JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com
REAL ESTATE PRO Canada mortgage and housing corporation (CMHC) is a government-controlled body that ensures high ratio mortgages for financial institutions, allowing a large part of buyers to become homeowners. The federal budget considers measures to assist first time buyers, where CMHC will lend 5% of the purchase price on resale homes and 10% for new homes. First-time buyers are those who never owned a home be-
fore anywhere in the world. This is considered as an interest-free loan that must be paid back to CMHC when the home is sold sometime in the future. In addition to CMHC stimulus, first-time buyers can withdraw, tax-free, $35,000 from their RRSP to put towards their down payment. The initiative is designed to assist over 100,000 Canadians to achieve homeownership in the next three years. The details of how the program works are not available until later this fall but the framework implies that to qualify, the household income must be less than $120,000 per year. The buyers must be able to provide a five percent down payment plus applicable closing cost. Based on the income, the buyer cannot have a mortgage greater than $480,000 which tops out at four times their income of $120,000. If a first-time buyer bought a home for $400,000, their minimum down payment is 5% or $20,000. The buyers would normally take a
mortgage of $380,000 but with the new rules, CMHC will lend 5%, on a resale home and 10% on a new home. Buyers will enjoy a savings of about $200 per month on a new home purchase and $100 per month on a resale home. There is a catch. CMHC will be a part owner of the property and if the buyer plans on refinancing in the future, CMHC must approve it. What is not clear is whether CMHC will settle for just the money lent or will want a portion of the profit in the future. RBC chief economist Craig Wight said that this is a “solution looking for a problem.” It’s just another form of debt that the homeowner must repay in the future. According to Mr. Wight, the program has the potential of undoing some of the cooling off methods introduced by Ottawa. David McDonald, an economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives said that “Taking out new loans from CMHC or retirement
savings doesn’t make housing more affordable.” CMHC could be of much more help to first-time buyers by reducing their premiums. Take, for example, a first-time buyer with 5% down payment will have to pay 4.5% of the loan amount to ensure the mortgage, leaving the buyer with only half percent as their true down payment. With stringent mortgage rules and high home prices, default mortgages are very real and in the few cases, where the properties are sold under power of sale, there is enough equity to cover the mortgage. The new initiative failed because it is not designed to provide more affordable housing. Incentives should be geared towards building more houses at a reasonable cost. For resale homes, a home buyer will pay almost 5% in premium and then CMHC will turn around and lend that money back for a piece of the pie in the future. It is a win-win. CMHC wins on both sides.
Lunch Special - Monday to Friday 11am to 3pm Curry Chicken (Roti or Rice) Curry Goat (Roti or Rice) Curry Beef (Roti or Rice) Veggie (Roti or Rice) Jerk Chicken Roti
5
99
.50
Add A Beverage Add A Doubles
1
50
100% Halal
905-492-Roti (7684)
1550 Kingston Rd, Pickering, ON L1V 1C3
therotispot01
On Easter I wish your heart is full of every good feeling a Happy Easter can bring!
Sonia Sidhu Member Of Parliament Brampton South
905.846.0076 sonia.sidhu@parl.gc.ca
24 Queen Street East, Suite 600 Brampton, Ontario
Search @SoniaSidhu
PAGE 44
finance
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
2019 man in the street budget FAZAAD BACCHUS fazaad@carib101.com
FINANCE SPECIALIST
It was on March 19th, 2019 that the recent Canadian budget was tabled, and it’s the last one before the upcoming elections in October of 2019. The budget has to balance out or we run the risk of too much debt. Think of simply your household budget, if you spend more than you make, soon there will be a deficit and you may have to borrow money to survive. Let’s examine the budget to see how we did. Income tax: The one thing that every Canadian dreads is the word tax and it’s been a fact that in Canada, taxes are a way of the government raising revenue. Well, we can rest assured that there has been no change to the personal and corporate income taxes in the budget, neither an increase nor a decrease in either.
Home buyers’ plan: When one owns a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) you are allowed to withdraw as much as $25,000 from the plan without having to pay taxes on the withdrawal. However, you need to repay the amount withdrawn over the next fifteen after withdrawing or tax penalties will apply. The new budget proposes that this amount will now increase to $35,000 per person. Therefore, a husband and wife who wish to make a withdrawal from their RRSP can take up to $70,000 without being taxed. This can go a long way towards the down payment of a couple’s first new home. The budget will also make accommodations for the breakdown in marriages following the withdrawal period. Long term disability: Any Canadian who is suffering from a long-term disability, who is eligible for the disability tax credit and is less than 60 years old, can apply for a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). The current rules dictate that a person who has such a plan must close it in a short time period if the beneficiary is no longer eligible for the disability tax credit. The plan holder can keep the plan open for four years but only if a medical doctor certifies that the beneficiary will again qualify for the credit. The new budget
proposes to eliminate this time period where the plan must be closed meaning that the plan will be kept open indefinitely and does not need a medical doctor to certify it. Canada student loans interest: When a student graduates from university or college it is not always guaranteed that they will find a job immediately. As a result, there is a sixmonth grace given before payments are made. However, interest is being charged on the six-month grace period. The new budget proposes that there will be no interest accruing on the loan balance in respect of the sixmonth grace period, making it easier on the new graduate. Real estate tax compliance: The budget proposes to provide 50 million dollars to the CRA to create four audit teams to go strongly behind the real estate sector to ensure that they report all sales of all properties, money made via flipping is reported as income and commissions are reported as income. This list is not exhaustive and there are of course many more items but as it applies to the man in the street, these are the ones that will affect you directly.
Worried about giving too much money at one time? ANDREW STEWART andrew@carib101.com
FAMILY ADVISOR
In many conversations, I have each week with parents regarding their insurance needs and desires, it is very common for parents to want to name their young children or even adult children as beneficiaries. Most times this is not an issue to do this on your insurance policy, as long as a trustee is named for underage children. But there is one more question parents should be asking themselves, is your child responsible enough to handle a large sum of money? For some beneficiaries, receiving an inheritance, especially one of some monetary significance, can feel like a windfall. Proceeds from a life insurance policy or savings account are often distributed to beneficiaries in one lump sum payment. As generous as it may seem, does it make sense to hand it all over all at once? The Gradual Inheritance Strategy is designed to provide a beneficiary with a series of guaranteed income payments over a period of time. This graduated approach is intended for those who are concerned about passing on large sum death benefits to a beneficiary who is young or inexperienced
at managing money. Or you’re a parent who wants to provide lifetime support for an autistic child who is financially dependent. This approach also provides beneficiaries with a controlled income stream to ensure that the money is not all spent at once. By using this strategy, you are requesting that the death benefit proceeds are used to purchase an annuity for your beneficiaries. The annuity will pay the death benefit in a series of guaranteed income payments, over a period of time of your choosing. How does it work? The insurance company will ask you to complete a form and indicate how the proceeds of your life insurance account will be paid. Your decisions will include: • Who your beneficiaries are (you can name one or multiple) • What portion of the death benefit will be paid as income payments, and what portion (if any) will be paid as a lump sum. • If the income payments will last for the life of the beneficiary (life annuity) or for a certain number of years (term certain annuity) • Also works if you have a trustee for a minor assigned on your policy Upon your passing, your beneficiaries will receive a guaranteed income, in the manner you have specified. They cannot change the annuity option, or how the proceeds are paid. If at any time you wish to make changes or choose to remove the Annuity Settlement Option, simply provide new written instruc-
tions. Family example Andrew has a $500,000 insurance policy. He has named his daughter Ciara as the beneficiary but is concerned that a large sum of money would be too difficult for her to manage. He is also concerned that her husband would sway her to invest the money into his furniture building business. He would prefer that Ciara receive a small portion of the money at his passing, and the rest be given to her monthly over a period of time. After discussing the situation with his family advisor, Andrew decides to use the Annuity Settlement Option. He’s decided that 20% of the death benefit will be paid immediately on his passing, and the remaining 80% will be used to purchase a 10-year Term Certain annuity which will gradually pay the rest plus interest, over a 10-year period. Benefits over a formal trust A formal trust is another way of specifying how and when funds in an account can be used. Many different types of assets can be held in the trust, such as cash, stocks, real estate and so on. A lawyer is required to draft a trust document. The Annuity Settlement Option can achieve many of the same goals, with the follow advantages. • No setup costs • Simple to establish and has no ongoing management fees • You can change the amounts and beneficiaries at any time with having to pay a lawyer
PAGE 46
sports
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019
West Indies talent shows off during the Indian Premier League 2019 KAYLA KARIM
kayla@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Known as the IPL 12, the Indian Premier League began on March 23rd, 2019, in various cities in India with Dehli, Hyderabad, and Kolkatta all with a max capacity of over 40,000 spectators. The tournament that occurs annually around spring, includes teams around the host nation. All eight teams are based out of India however there is a dominating West Indian presence throughout the tournament. West Indies players have become the forefront performers for their respective teams – be it any team they play. In the sixth match of IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders face the Kings XI Punjab, which will showcase two aggressive West Indian batsmen. Both of these teams have dominated throughout the tournament and will look to continue their winning momentum. Carlos Brathwaite is currently in the Kolkata Knight Riders colors. Brathwaite expressed his memorable experienc-
es from the past. “It’s kind of a happy hunting ground. I have had a few good games here. In the same World Cup, had a good warmup game with bat and ball. I had a decent game with the ball against India as well though we didn’t cross the line. I bowled the last over here to defend some runs for SRH against KKR so yes, I have good memories. But counts for nothing as we start from zero. I am under no illusions and looking forward to get stuck in,� he said. Brathwaite also mentioned that KKR is one of the teams that has bid for him throughout his IPL career thus far. He said that he watched KKR from afar and enjoys working under Venky Mysore. Power-hitter, Shimron Hetmyer joined Royal Challengers Banglore for the IPL. His ability to dispatch the ball over the boundary on a regular basis makes him a perfect fit in Royal Challengers Banglore’s explosive set up. Hetmyer was the star for Guyana Amazon Warriors during the 2018 Caribbean Premier League, where he became the youngest batsman to score a century in CPL history. He was equally impressive in West Indies’ tour of India slamming a century against England earlier this year. Another West Indies player, Oshane Thomas will be making his IPL debut this year playing for the Rajasthan Royals. The 6’6� Jamaican is known for consistently
hitting the deck at 150 kpm. After catching many eyes in the CPL in 2017, he emerged as the second highest wicket-taker in the 2018 CPL with eighteen wickets. Twenty-three-year-old Nicholas Pooran continues to showcase his talent, this year, with the Kings XI Punjab alongside Windies teammate Chris Gayle. Chris Gayle, being the explosive player that he is, is just two sixes away from hitting 300 maximums in the shortest format of the sport. Pooran overcame a serious car accident in 2015, and since then has become a sought after player with his exploits over the last 12 months. Kings XI Punjab Head Coach, Mike Hesson recently compared him to teammate Chris Gayle, referring to Pooran as the “young Gayle�. Nicholas Pooran though feels no pressure. When asked about the comparison to Chris Gayle, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman said, “Any tournament is an opportunity. I am in a new team and just want to give my best. And to be honest, I am just trying to be the best I can be�. The 2019 Indian Premier League started on March 23rd, 2019, and will continue to May 12th, 2019.
ƒ  „ƒ Š †— �† ƒ ˜ ƒ ƒ
 � �� � �   � € ‚
ƒƒ ƒ „ƒ ƒ …ƒ …†† ‡ ƒ  †
™� Œ … � �ƒ ƒ † —
ƒ ™† „ † ƒ ‹ƒ Œ š › †› ˜ƒ —† › Šƒ Œ � œ ƒƒ †— €� † ž † †– ‡ �  š š   €
Š‹
ˆ ‰ ƒ † ˆ ‰Š† ƒ
† ™ Š ƒ—† › Šƒ ‡ Œ †
† Š‹ƒ Œ ‚ Ž‘ ’Ž‘ ’’ � ‚ Ž‘ ‘“ Ž’ † ‚ Ž‘“’ ‘ Ž “ † „ƒ‡ Š ” ƒ† „ƒ‡ Š •Š –––• ƒ† „ƒ‡ Š •Š
Šƒ ƒ – – ž Šƒ› ž† – — †› “•
DENTURE CLINIC
That improves your smile Marcia James, DD DENTURIST (Denture Specialist)
Support our African & Caribbean Breast Cancer Assistance Program
DONATE a MAMMOGRAM Screening and CREATE a SURVIVOR Recipient Partners
Barbados Cancer Support
• Implant Denture • Complete Full Denture • Night Mouth Guard • Sport Mouth Guard • Partial Acrylic Denture • Immediate Denture • Partial Metal Denture • Reline and Rebase
ALL INSURANCE ACCEPTED | SAME DAY REPAIRS DONE IN CLINIC CALL FOR APPOINTMENT
ASK US HOW! 416-256-3155 / info@theolivebranch.ca
416.317.9763
852 Bathurst St. 410-105 Rowena Drive 647 McCowan Rd. Toronto ON M5R 3G1 North York ON M3A 1R2 Scarborough ON M1J 1K3
Data everywhere. No surprise charges anywhere. LIMITED TIME OFFER
NEW
. S E N O Z O N . E D I W N O I T NA 4 GBDAOTFA PDLAATNAS & T X E T , FOR ONLY TALK
. . O M / O 0 4 $ M / $35 ZONE N I S E G R A H C E G NO OVERA
CHATRMOBILE.COM Parkway Mall VISIT OUR LOCATION TODAY! 85 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough 416-999-9229
Etobicoke 2456 Lakeshore Blvd West 416-259-3654
Dufferin Mall 900 Dufferin St. Toronto 416-530-0005
Brampton 379 Main Street North 905-451-0379
Dufferin & Eglinton 1818 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto 416-787-8890
Brimley & Lawrence 2887 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough (647)713-1113
Peanut Plaza 3030 DonMills Rd, NorthYork 647-719-1999
Taxes extra. Offer subject to change without notice. Get up to 1GB of data on the Talk, Text and Data Plan. Once you reach your 3G speed data allotment, your data speed will be reduced until your next anniversary date. Get up to 2GB’s of bonus data on the Data, Talk and Text Plans (in-zone) available for a limited time, subject to change without notice. Once you reach your 3G speed data allotment, your data speed will be reduced until ™ Trademarks used under license ©2019 Taxes extra. Offer subject to change without notice. Getanniversary up to 1GB of Only dataapplicable on the Talk, and Data Once you reach your license 3G speed your next date. to newText activations. TaxesPlan. extra. ™ Trademarks used under ©2018data allotment, your data speed will be reduced until your next anniversary date. ™ Trademarks used under license ©2019
OUR LATEST LATEST PHONES PHONES. . OUR GREATEST GREATEST OFFERS OFFERS. .
freedommobile.ca
freedommobile.ca Freedom Mobile
Brampton Rexall Plaza 10015 Hurontario Street, Unit 2 Brampton ON L6Z 0E6 905-840-9464
10635 Bramalea Road, Unit J6 Brampton ON L6R 0C1 905-458-9464
Walkers Line 3505 Upper Middle Road Burlington ON L7M 4C6 289-427-5260
Shoppers World Brampton 499 Main Street South Brampton ON L6Y 1N7 905-453-9463
Freedom Mobile 10671 Chinguacousy Road, Unit B17 Brampton ON L7A 3E9 905-840-3388
Kitchener Laurentian Hills Plaza 720 Westmount Road East, Unit 8 Kitchener ON N2E 1J2 519-5784646
Freedom Mobile 83 Kennedy Road South, Unit 16 Brampton ON L6W 3E7 905-460-9463
Burlington Appleby Village 5111 New Street Burlington ON L7L 1V2 905-635-0584
Stanley Park Mall 1005 Ottawa Street North Kitchener ON N2A 1H2 519-954-2923
Mississauga Sheridan Centre 2225 Erin Mills Parkway Mississauga ON L5K 1T9 905-822-9463
Oakville Oakville Smart Centre 261 Oak Walk Drive, Unit J2 Oakville ON L6H 6M3 289-291-3261
Westwood Mall 7205 Goreway Drive Mississauga ON L4T 2T9 905-671-9463
Oshawa Five Points Mall 1177 Ritson Road North, Unit F4-10 Oshawa ON L1G 8B9 905-576-4440
Freedom Mobile 1100 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Unit 16 Mississauga ON L5C 4S5 905-615-8788
Parkway Mall 85 Ellesmere Road Scarborough ON M1R 4B8 416-444-9463
Centerpoint Mall 6464 Yonge Street Toronto ON M2M 3X7 416-222-9463
St Catharines St Catharines Smart Centre 420 Vansickle Road, Unit K3 St Catharines ON L2S 0A4 289-479-5496
East York Town Centre 45 Overlea Blvd, Unit 10 Toronto ON M4H 1C3 647-508-3733 Waterloo Shops at Waterloo 75 King Street South Waterloo ON N2J 1P2 519-880-9463
Toronto Scarborough Woodside Square Bridlewood Mall 1571 Sandhurst Circle 2900 Warden Avenue Toronto ON M1V 1V2 Boardwalk Scarborough ON M1W 647-260-1392 Learn more at freedommobile.ca. Š 2018 Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.235 AllThe rights reserved. Samsung and Samsung Galaxy are registered Boardwalk 2S8trademarks 416-490-9463or trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., used with permission. Screen images simulated. Google, Pixel, the G logo, and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC. The Freedom Mobile name and logos and other words, titles, phrases, marks, logos, icons, graphics are trademarks of, or are Kitchener, ON used under license by, Freedom Mobile Inc. N2N 0B1 Learn more at freedommobile.ca. Š 2018 Samsung Electronics Canada Inc. All rights reserved. Samsung and Samsung Galaxy are registered trademarks or trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., used with permission. Screen images simulated. Google, Pixel, the G logo, and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC. The Freedom Mobile name and logos and other words, titles, phrases, marks, logos, icons, graphics are trademarks of, or are used under license by, Freedom Mobile Inc.