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WHAT ABOUT THEM? SIMONE J. SMITH/TORONTO CARIBBEAN

My work in the community is twofold: I am a journalist, and I am an educator. As a journalist, I have taken the time to discuss the detrimental effects that this pandemic has had on the world. I have explored lockdowns, vaccines and mask wearing.

For the last ten months, I have focused on businesses, the crumbling of the economy, and I have spoken to specialists from around the world, all

who have had their opinions on what this pandemic represents.

What I haven’t done is take the time to focus on who this pandemic is having the most devastating effect on: our children.

Each week, I sit down with one of my students (age range 11-19). I see the ups and downs in their moods. I have

witnessed the complete emotional breakdowns. When I ask them about their days, they always bring up how much they miss their friends. I see that they tend to demonstrate a lack of interest in other humans; their eyes trained to their devices. I have also seen them using three devices at the same time.

Continued On Page 8

PAGE 2

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

ILA LOVELACE-KUHNERT Rising above and growing into her passion

Allow me to introduce you to this edition’s Women Empowered, who is none other than the supremely talented 18-year-old Trinidadian artist, Ila Lovelace-Kuhnert.

Since birth, all Ila has known was creative arts. Born into an extremely art-inclined family, it seems as if becoming a painter was her destiny. Not only is her mother currently a filmmaker, but she also has artistic connections through various family members who are also artists as well as writers and videographers. With such a creative family, one may feel immense pressure to live up to their accomplishments, though Ila says that she never once felt forced to commit to becoming an artist.

“From a young age, I was always going to exhibitions and meeting so many different people. I’ve met a ton of artists in my life and it wasn’t necessarily pushed on to me to pursue arts, but I was definitely encouraged to be creative throughout my whole life. I wasn’t really good at math for example, but I was always painting and drawing. It turned out to be something that I

loved.”

In fact, Ila’s discovery of her own talents led her to making jewelry and having her own jewelry line at the age of 10, which she then sold to a major store in Trinidad.

Beginning to realize her potential, at age 14, Ila decided to take art a bit more seriously in high school and within the following year, she found the perfect art style and focal point that was best suited for her. In her current body of work, she typically focuses on representing women.

“Mainly, the inspiration for my paintings come from the women I grew up with and am surrounded by. The women in my family, my mother’s friends, and just every woman I meet is so beautiful and they all inspire me to paint only women all the time.”

Today, Ila’s paintings are being featured at the Peel Art Gallery Museum + Archives (PAMA) located in Brampton. The Caribbean art exhibit is titled, “when night stirred at sea,” and showcases the work of ten contemporary artists working in Jamaica, Trinidad, Canada, America and the United

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Kingdom. In the breathtaking exhibit, Ila displays four eye-catching portraits of various women illustrated in a unique fashion.

What separates Ila’s interesting art style apart from others, aside from her fascination of the female image, is her method of intentionally not blending the colours.

Instead, she uses hard-edged shapes that result in a one-of-a-kind stylized image, emphasizing the true beauty and strength of each subject. A mixture of brilliant acrylic paints and mixed media on canvas gives each portrait its own texturized flare, ultimately accentuating the purposeful contours on each woman’s face. The four vibrant prints on display are even inspired by colours, entitled Rose, Azul, Blue and Morena.

“So far, I have only drawn women.

I’ve started working on bodies as well. I paint them graphically, breaking up the shadows and the highlights into shapes. I don’t tend to do much blending in my work. I’m not sure why I prefer this style. I think it has to do with the fact that I’m a perfectionist and everything needs to be neat and organized, and that’s exactly how I view my work,” Ila says. “I try to use a lot of colours. I’ll paint the faces in the same type of way, but the backgrounds are bold with bright colours and I don’t see too many people using shapes in this way. They might do it in a different type of way, but predominantly I only use shapes and I haven’t seen many people do that. It’s a cool way.”

Though her method is absolutely impressive, Ila fears that she’s become too accustomed to this specific style of art. She aims to step out of her comfort zone and try new things, as she’s in the process of building her portfolio for college applications. Though she has an immense passion for painting, she has chosen to keep it as a sort of side hustle and instead, pursue sustainable architecture as her true profession. As the COVID-19 pandemic is a bit of a hinderance to her learning, Ila’s using her time at home to further develop her skills and better herself.

“I have a problem with not being able to experiment. Since I’ve found this

style, I’ve been so comfortable doing it that I find it difficult to practice other styles. I also need to work on my sketching. As good as I am at painting, I’m not the best sketcher, but I’ve definitely gotten a lot better in the past few months because I’ve been doing it every day.

I’m thankful that [COVID-19] has not affected me too much negatively. In fact, I’ve had a lot more time to paint and experiment with sculpting. I’ve had a lot of time to work on my art. The only thing it seems to have affected is college. I’ve decided to take a gap year instead of going to college right after graduation, because I’d rather have the proper college experience.”

A young lady with much potential and promise, Ila vows to keep herself busy for the future by working with textiles and other artistic elements to take her work to the next level. As advice to youth alike her with a love for visual arts but are unsure if the industry is for them, Ila shares:

“I would just say to always keep experimenting, even though I don’t,” she playfully laughs. “But seriously. Push yourself, because you never know until you give it a try. You may sit there questioning yourself, not knowing if you can do it. But regardless, you have to try and what’s meant to be, will be.”

Ila doesn’t have a personal art page at this time, but she plans to look into creating one once she begins to release more art pieces. Until then, you can view Ila’s work along with the nine other Caribbean artists on display at PAMA via a 360-degree virtual tour at www.peelregion.ca/pama/caribbean-art

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PAGE 3

So, you say we can’t worship?

Aylmer church members fined for attending church SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 Regardless of your religion, or the God in which you choose to serve, many people who find refuge in gathering together have had their lives interrupted by this pandemic.

To some, it may not be a big deal, but for many, being able to gather with others who share the same spiritual beliefs can be beneficial. Psychology Today’s article on Religion (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/religion) found that having a spiritual belief can: increase optimism, resilience, while decreasing risk of depression, substance abuse, suicide, and risky behaviour.

For years, spiritual belief has brought people together who share the same values, giving them a sense of belonging and social support. It has offered comfort during hard times and provided an anchor for morality.

Now, imagine being that person who not only finds benefits from religious gatherings, but literally, for mental stability, needs to gather with others in order to function throughout their day to day. For the last ten months, they have been isolated. They have had to watch services from a screen, with no connection to those who brought them strength.

Religions are under attack, and the very people who are meant to uphold the laws of the land are ignoring the historic liberties and Charter freedoms of those who practice religions across the country.

Do you know why? It is because many of us do not know the truth, and the truth is…

You have the right to go to your religeous gathering place to worship!

“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”

Acts 4:19 King James Version (KJV) This story is important for a few reasons, but the one that stands out the most is that as Canadian citizens, we have rights that many of us don’t know about. Don’t worry; it is not only the citizens that are unaware of certain laws, apparently police officers are also ignorant of certain laws that have been put in place to protect our rights and freedoms.

I had an opportunity to dialogue with Herbert Hildebrandt, the son of Pastor Henry Hildebrandt. Both father and son have been making headlines in the news lately for the powerful stance they have taken in respects to their right to worship with their congregation. If you get an op-

portunity, watch the interview with Kerry Lee Crawford and Pastor Henry that occurred on January 2nd, 2021 during the explosive The Awakening World Truth Summit. Pastor Henry took the time to go over what has been happening in his town of Aylmer, Ontario, and what he has done to ensure that his church flock still had the ability to worship despite the lockdowns.

My discussion with Herbert came about after I heard that Aylmer police had decided that they were going to ticket members of Pastor Henry’s church for attending services. I was very surprised when I heard that the police ticketed an 85-year-old woman for attending service and were actually sneaking and peeking through the family’s windows when they were eating so that they could issue fines for illegal gatherings.

Our discussion started with a quick outline of what had occurred to this point.

“In the spring,” Herbert told me, “we respected the fact that the government was doing what they thought was right for the people, so we were like, we are in this together. WE will wait to go to church.

We did the drive-in service for a while because it kept some semblance of normalcy. Then, things went well for the summer. Ontario opened back up, and we were

What they didn’t realize was that the police were actually watching the live stream. The authorities cyber stalking allowed them to target 47 people that they would be ticketing in the upcoming week.

The ticketing started last Tuesday. Their goal was to go door-to-door ticketing members of the church that were identified in the video. Out of the 47 people, only four people were ticketed.

When the ticketing blitz began, families warned other families about what was going on, and this is what allowed the other families to prepare themselves for the visit from the police.

It was at this point that Herbert hit me with some information that I did not know about.

“Every one who wilfully disturbs or interrupts an assemblage of persons met for religious worship or for a moral, social or benevolent purpose is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction” 176 (2) Criminal Code of Canada

(a) By threats or force, unlawfully obstructs or prevents or endeavours to obstruct or prevent an officiate from celebrating a religious or spiritual service or performing any other function in connection with their calling, or (b) Knowing that an officiate is about to perform, is on their way to perform or is returning from the perform¬ance of any of the duties or functions mentioned in paragraph (a) (i) Assaults or offers any violence to them, or (ii) Arrests them on a civil process, or under the pretence of executing a civil process.

Disturbing religious worship or certain meetings (2) Everyone who wilfully disturbs or interrupts an assemblage of persons met for religious worship or for a moral, social or benevolent purpose is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

(3) Everyone who, at or near a meeting referred to in subsection (2), wilfully does anything that disturbs the order or solemnity of the meeting is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

Church of God - Aylmer ON able to have our services again. We kept drive-in, and in person services. What we found was that people were starting to visit our church from all over Ontario. It became what we termed, ‘The refuge church movement.’

Then the lockdown was reinforced, and all gatherings were prohibited. This did not stop Pastor Henry and his church. They continued to have services. Some mainstream media began to demonize Pastor Henry and his congregation. There were hit pieces put out about both Pastor Henry and Herbert, but this did not deter them.

A couple of Sundays ago Pastor Henry decided enough was enough and decided to hold service. He invited his flock out and reminded them that, “The Bible does not give me the power to tell you how, when and where to worship.”

176 of the Criminal Code 176 (1) Every person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years or is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction who:

“Police are not experts on the law,” Herbert began. “the Criminal Code is not something they are familiar with. Police officers are not trained on the Criminal Code, even though many of us think that they would be. We appreciate the police officers. They are obeying the re-opening of Ontario act, but they don’t know all the laws. Liberals tried to remove this section out of the Criminal Code, and it was fought against. I encourage people who want and choose to worship to know that WE have protection. It is our task and duty to educate the officers on what they don’t know, and that is what we do.”

I found this very interesting, so I decided to take a look at 176 of the Criminal Code. This is what I found:

Do you know what that means? It means that you have the right to worship, as long as you are doing it safely. If you are a minister or officer in the Church, you are free to carry out the duties pertaining to their office without hindrance or interference from any person or authority as affirmed and protected in section 176 of the Canadian Criminal Code, 2019.

There is now a movement that is slowly growing across Ontario. The Niagara Declaration 2020 (https://www.niagaradeclaration.ca/) is a national network of clergymen, elected officials, small business owners, legal experts, and other concerned citizens who are focused on bringing change for the good of all Canadians.

There is also the Liberty Coalition of Canada that has been formed to bring Canadians together. They have put together a declaration. It states their belief that churches and believers must continue to gather in person for public worship with or without the permission of civil authorities.

Over 400 individuals have signed it to date, and you can add your name today at https://www.libertycoalitioncanada.com/the-church-must-gather

Pastor Henry and his congregation have shown us that public worship is a non-negotiable principle. “We are not violent,” Herbert tells me, “but we will not comply. We are not going to make it easy.”

If you are interested in attending a service, they have scheduled drive-ins on Sundays at 10:30 am. It is time to take our freedoms back.

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PAGE 5

There has been a failure of Toronto Catholic District School Board to respond to anti-black racism PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The issue of racial equity in education has been at the forefront of many of the school boards in the Greater Toronto Area.

Three school boards: the York Region District School, Peel District School Board (PDSB) and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) have each been forced to change their policies, programs and procedures to reflect equity, fairness and tolerance. They have come out and declared that anti-black racism exists within their boards and have implemented initiatives to bring about systemic changes.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) has been in the news recently. Over the years, mainstream media has reported troubling incidents of systemic racism, particularly anti-black racism that have occurred within its schools.

On June 2nd, 2020, Chair of the Board Joseph Martino, and Dr.Brendan Drowne, Director of Education released a statement after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. It reads, “We have to face the truth that anti-black racism exists in our city and in our schools.�

On June 11th, 2020, a Student Trustee put forward a motion under the subject “Notice of Motion Regarding Anti-black and Anti-indigenous Racism in Schools.� She notes that, “over 22 different incidents of racism within TCDSB schools were reported in the span of just five days in the Toronto Youth Cabinet recent # ReclaimOurVoice survey.� She tweeted, “today, I brought forward a motion with recommendations on dismantling antiblack and anti-indigenous racism which has been prevalent in our schools for too long. Words mean nothing and are purely performative in nature.�

CBC News reported on June 26th, 2021 on the allegations by former and previous students of Notre Dame High School that the school’s administration had been engaged in a pattern of sys-

temic racism. There were more than 200 letters sent to the TCDSB as reported by Kadeisha Powell-Graham, who spoke on behalf of the students.

Three former students: Syndi Taffe, Nigeeleen Nwakobi and Flora Nwakobi who graduated in 2016, 2017 and 2019 told CBC News that they were often silenced when they approached the administration about specific troubling racist incidents. It was nine months later that the TCDSB decided to launch an investigation.

The statement released on Thursday, June 26th, 2020 states, “We acknowledge that anti-black racism has had devastating effects on individuals, members of our school community, and our society.

There is no place for anti-black racism in our schools.�

On June 30th, 2020 a letter was sent to Joseph Martino by Kirk Mark, who is a member of the TCDSB African-Canadian Advisory Committee and a former Senior Coordinator of Community Relations.

The purpose of the letter was to have a meeting to, “Discuss systemic anti-black racism in our schools based on recent incidents in Notre Dame and the absence of the Superintendent of Equity and the Director of Educator due to retirement.

In light of our advisory role we have not been consulted by the TCDSB regarding the above matters and the information derived from the media, black parents, black students and stakeholders. We are at a critical juncture.�

Unfortunately, there was no response from the TCDSB to this request.

On January 11th, 2021 an email was sent to the Chair, which states, “This email is a follow up to the initial request of June 30th, 2020 to address various incidents of anti-black racism in the TCDSB.�

The letter recalls incidences of anti-black racism at: Mother Teresa, Msgr. Percy Johnson CSS, Notre Dame CSS and Francis Libemann CSS.

The letter concludes, “Therefore, there is a need to address these matters in order to compliment our recent gains in equity and inclusive education. Amnesia involving these past events will not lead to resolution, hence the need to enact the Terms of Reference within Year 1 in order to move the agenda forward.� There is hope for changes in TCDSB in 2021.

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The statements, opinions and viewpoints made or expressed by the writers do not necessarily represent the opinions and views of the Toronto Caribbean, or the publishers. Toronto Caribbean News Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for claims, statements, opinions or views, written or reported by its contributing writers, including product or service information that is advertised.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

The Real Grand Hustle: T.I. and Tiny Harris accused of sex trafficking JANIECE CAMPBELL janiece@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Trigger warning: This article contains subject matters of drugging, sexual coercion, violence and rape.

It’s getting weird in the entertainment industry.

Atlanta rapper T.I. and his wife, former member of R&B group Xscape, Tiny Harris, have serious accusations against them by former long-time friend, Sabrina Peterson and upwards of thirty anonymous victims thus far.

In an Instagram post, Peterson claims that T.I. allegedly put a gun to her head while children were in the room. In the same post, she goes on to say how black women are continuously victimized and painted out to be the villain, calling for black women everywhere to begin healing from all traumas they have faced, as “you can’t heal from what you never reveal,” she says.

Tiny was quick to come to her husband’s defence, claiming that T.I. was referred to as ‘uncle’ by Peterson’s children just two years ago, and also ending the post by telling Peterson to get help and leave her family alone.

It wasn’t long before floods of women began to message Peterson in confidence within a span of 24 hours, claiming that they’ve endured abuse from the couple in the past. Peterson then began to share the messages via her Instagram story, and each individual message detailed alike themes of victims being forced to do a variety of drugs, having their phones taken away and then proceeding in intoxicated sexual activity with the couple in hotel rooms.

From some saying that T.I. gave them an incurable sexually transmitted disease, to others recounting that they were minors during the incidents, each story is eerily similar and unfortunately reminiscent of the #MeToo movement. Many even named Tiny as the “ringleader” in many of these altercations.

An official statement was released by a spokesperson for T.I and Tiny Harris, completely denying all allegations put forth. It reads:

“Mr. and Mrs. Harris want to be on record and more importantly want the public to know they emphatically deny in the strongest way possible the egregiously appalling allegations being made against them by Sabrina Peterson.

The Harrises have had difficulty with this woman for well over a decade. They are taking this matter very seriously, and if these allegations don’t end, they will take appropriate legal action.”

Sabrina Peterson made it clear that she has no intent to reverse her statements about the duo. Amid the uproar, she paid $650 for a polygraph test to prove herself. She posted a copy of the results and a recording of the examiner explaining the conclusion of the lie detector test, which indeed proved that she was telling the truth about T.I. pointing a gun to her head. She continues to expose the couple through screenshots of multiple people coming forward about their experiences, including messages from 911 operators, nurses and even industry professionals who worked alongside the pair.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard T.I.’s name in questionable circumstances. A few months ago, he was criticized for saying that he accompanies his eighteen-year-old daughter to the gynecologist for annual hymen check-ups, to ensure that she’s still a virgin. In another problematic interview, he refers to spending quality time with his daughters as “thot prevention hours.” A thot, which is a derogatory term to define sexually liberated women with multiple partners, is what he wants to avoid his girls from becoming, so he continuously brings them on trips and daddy-daughter dances in order to “keep [them] off of the pole,” he says. These rules are only applied to his girl children, as in his own words, “because sons can’t get pregnant.”

Peterson claims that she is in the process of compiling testimonies to make a “Surviving R. Kelly” style documentary, exposing the couple’s alleged sex trafficking ring.

No charges have been filed yet by either side.

NEWS

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

There is no conspiracy about this; our children are suffering SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Continued From Page 1 -- I have witnessed single mothers who are fed up with online schooling that they are okay with saying, “We are just going to write this year off!” As surprised as I am by these statements, I also understand. This has been tough for everyone. Children are witnessing their parents go through mental breakdowns; one can only wonder how this is impacting them.

There is no conspiracy about this; our children are suffering, and just how much will not be known until it is tool late.

I decided to do some digging to bring clarity to parents. My hope is that with a better understanding, parents will see the need to stand up to these lockdowns knowing that if we as adults are struggling with it, imagine what it must be like for them.

One of the only ways that the effects of this pandemic will be recognized is with extensive longitudinal studies. In a longitudinal study, researchers repeatedly examine the same individuals to detect any changes that may occur over a period of time. To date, longitudinal studies have been done on one aspect of this pandemic that seems to have a long-term effect on children. That crucial aspect is social isolation.

Current longitudinal findings about children who experienced social isolation were followed up to adulthood. The research suggested that social isolation has persistent and cumulative detrimental effects on adult health.

Humans are social beings. Social behaviour includes how an individual’s

thoughts, feelings and behaviour influences, and is influenced by, other people. Creating and developing social relationships is central to human well being. Experiencing social behaviour, and engaging in social interaction, is vital during childhood development, however, for the last ten months, children have not been able to participate in, or experience the social behaviour that is necessary for their mental well-being and development.

For most children and adolescents, school is the most important social arena. This prolonged absence of social relationships has shown to affect child development in multiple ways. Previous research conducted by Lacey, Kumari & Bartley (2014) reveal that socially isolated children tend to have lower subsequent educational attainment, be part of a less advantaged social class in adulthood and are more likely to be psychologically distressed in adulthood.

In 2012, Makinodan, Rosen, Ito & Corfas did a study on young mice and monkeys. The mice and monkeys were socially isolated for several weeks. They wanted to further investigate the relationship between social isolation and physiological and cognitive functioning.

The researchers found deficits in the neuron-to-neuron (cell-to-cell) communication in the prefrontal cortex. The function of these cells is dependent on social interaction to develop the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain that is associated with a variety of cognitive functions, such as: planning, higher-level thought, and social interaction. What they found was that if the development of these cells and areas of the brain are disrupted, children can also possibly develop deficits in this area of the brain.

I want to give you a complete breakdown on things that you as a parent may not have considered. Let’s take a look at the human stress response.

The primary function of the human stress response is to protect the body

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from the environment. As I have reiterated, a basic human need is social interaction, and when a person is socially isolated, the body will perceive the situation as a threat.

The body will release these hormones so that the person can react towards the current stress. However, the body cannot continue to release these hormones; there is a limit. This increased stress response over an extended period of time has been proven to increase the risk of developing: cardiovascular disease, elevated blood pressure, infectious illness, cognitive deterioration, and mortality.

These findings are the first evidence linking childhood social isolation to poor adult health. They are consistent with a handful of retrospective studies reporting associations between chronic health conditions in adulthood and a perceived lack of social support in childhood.

There have been other studies that have brought disturbing evidence to light. There was a study commissioned by the B.C. Representative for Children and Youth. The results of the study demonstrated that long standing social and economic inequities in society could actually exacerbate mental health challenges.

A 2009 study found 30% of children who were isolated or quarantined as a result of H1N1, SARS or the avian flu developed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and other studies suggest children are more likely to develop PTSD after a pandemic than a natural disaster.

In December, Kids Help Phone reported a 51% increase in texts from kids looking for help, and the 24/7 counselling service saw a 70% increase since May, 2020.

Since the very beginning of this pandemic, an unfortunate fact is that the African-Canadian community has been disproportionately affected. More than ever, long standing social and economic inequities in society were found to worsen the effects of the virus. Relationships and dynamics in the home can have an impacting on children’s mental health. Many low-

income families have children who rely on school support. Others might not be in a position, financially or geographically, to access any treatment services or counselling.

Overall, our government has not taken into consideration just how negatively keeping children out of school has and will continue to affect our children. So, the question is, how can parents help to combat these effects?

The first undeniable fact is that parents, you are the role models. This means that you need to make sure that you have taken care of your own mental health first before you can take care of your child’s mental health. Parents, children pick up on your anxiousness, and will watch to see how you handle it.

To help your children manage their feelings, ask what they understand and what concerns them. Listen to your children in times of stress and crisis. Know that your presence will always matter more, in the long run, than the things you buy for them.

Listening means stopping what you are doing when you children are trying to communicate with you. Observe their behaviour so that you can identify changes. Listen to the words they use and the tone that they use them in. Children display stress differently, so being able to identify changes is important and crucial in assisting them through emotional challenging times.

You are human, so know that there are going to be times that you don’t handle situations well. It is okay to ask for help. There is no shame in feeling overwhelmed. Talk to your friends. Talk to family members. Seek professional help for both you and your child.

Remember, the long-standing effects of this pandemic will not be seen now, but this does not mean that we can’t take pre-emptive steps to ensure that we are setting up our children for a successful future.

PAGE 10

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

What Constitutional Rights and Freedoms have been obstructed or ignored during this pandemic?

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“Currently, it is illegal to go to the gym, yet, the Toronto Maple Leafs can train and Olympians can train. Why are the gyms not allowed to open? There seems to be a different set of rules, for different sets of people.”

Ryan O’Connor

Something that this pandemic has taught me is that many of us living in Canada are ignorant of the law. I get it. Aspects of the law are confusing, and you might find it mentally taxing. It is filled with what I call unnecessary jargon, meant to confuse and deter those who are not able to understand the rhetoric. It is no wonder that many of us are heeding to laws that we don’t know are unconstitutional. How would we know?

This is why I reached out to Ryan P. O’Connor a partner at Zayouna Law Firm. I wanted to speak with someone who would be able to sift through the noise, and expose information that will help many of us in the community navigate through this pandemic.

The team at Zayouna Law firm have dedicated their time to serving seriously injured clients. They provide legal services for commercial litigation, and have experience in both dispute and litigation needs. From my experience with Ryan, I see that as a team, they take the time and go the extra mile to become personally acquainted with their clients. During our interview, Ryan made me feel comfortable.

I didn’t feel intimidated during our discussion, and he took the time to educate me so that I would be able to educate the community.

Ryan is an experienced litigator, and advocates for clients in areas such as: personal injury, insurance, employment, libel and defamation, and appeals. What brought us together is Ryan’s interest in public affairs and public policy. He assists by advising clients in regulatory and compliance matters involving federal and pro-

vincial legislation.

This is not his first time in the public eye. He has appeared in the media commenting on legal matters in relation to his area of expertise. His most current case is a constitutional challenge on behalf of a gym in Kitchener. As many of us know, independent gyms have been forced to close, even though gyms that house professional sports athletes have been allowed to stay open. Special Olympians are not allowed to train, and this has had an impact on members of the disability community.

“I have a COVID-19 Advisory Practice, and I completely understand why businesses are confused. Rules seem to change every couple weeks. A lot of businesses don’t know their legal options because the rules are so arbitrary. It is illegal to go to the gym, yet the Toronto Maple Leafs can train, and Olympians can train. Why are the gyms not allowed to open? There seems to be a different set of rules, for different sets of people.”

When I heard about what he was doing, I arranged a meeting to learn a little more about our constitutional rights and freedoms, and to share with the community some of that information.

A big topic of public discussion is masks. “Ryan,” I began. “What should people and businesses know about masks, and the laws that govern wearing masks?”

“The first thing we must know is that municipalities have different masking by-laws. What I can tell you is that a business does not have the right to ask you why you are not able to wear a mask. They do not have the right to ask you personal health questions. If you have a medical issue, or a mental health issue, a business has no right to have you expose that in public.”

My next step was to research and learn the Human Rights Code Issue. This ensures and promotes the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind on the basis of disability.

When it comes to masks, the bylaw making the wearing of masks inside businesses mandatory in Toronto, Bill 511 (“Bill”), contains a number of circumstances in which an individual is exempt from the requirements to wear a mask: • •

Children under the age of two Persons with an underlying medical

• •

•

condition which inhibits their ability to wear a mask or face covering Persons who are unable to place or remove a mask or face covering without assistance Employees and agents of the person responsible for the establishment within an area designated for them and not for public access, or within a physical barrier, and Persons who are reasonably accommodated by not wearing a mask or face covering in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Additionally, section 2(d) of the Bill states that proof of any exemptions are not required to be provided to the employer or establishment.

It is interesting to me that even though these laws are clearly stated, many of us are blindly disobeying them. Many employers don’t realize that given the nature of the exemptions related to underlying medical issues, refusing service to those who are unable to wear a mask could result in consequences with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) on the basis of disability. An employer could become liable for human rights damages should they demand evidence of any disability-related exemptions as a condition to permit entry.

YOU should not experience harassment or other discriminatory treatment based on a Code ground because you are unable to wear a mask, or choose to wear, or not wear, a mask, based on advice from public health officials. Everyone involved should be flexible and explore whether individual accommodation is possible. This includes providing alternative ways a person might safely continue to work, receive a service or live in congregate housing.

I was curious; what other constitutional rights have been obstructed or ignored during this pandemic. Ryan introduced to me Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which states: 15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

“What this means,” Ryan explained, “is that every individual in Canada, regardless of: race, religion, national or ethnic origin, colour, sex, age, physical or mental disability, is to be treated with the same respect, dignity and consideration. Governments are not to discriminate on any of these grounds in its laws or programs.”

This made sense to me. It is why in the masking by-laws, there are exemptions given. Upon further research I learned that the government must not discriminate on any of these grounds in its laws or programs. The Supreme Court of Canada states that the purpose of section 15 is to protect groups of individuals who suffer: social, political, and legal disadvantage in society. Discrimination occurs when a person (in this case someone who cannot wear a mask) is denied opportunities (going into a store) available to other members of society.

Another infringement that occurs when asking someone why he or she can’t wear a mask is a person’s right to privacy.

In 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed this right to privacy in Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Article 12 states; “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation.

Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.”

Now, there are so many directions I can go with Article 12, but in this moment, we will remain focused on infringements to our current freedoms. Privacy is “the right to be let alone.” The Oxford dictionary defines privacy as a “State in which one is not observed or disturbed by other people.”

Being asked in a public space (Superstore, Costco, Shoppers Drug Mart), why you are not able to wear a mask goes against your right to privacy.

“The issue,” Ryan continues to explain, “is the lack of public education. It is illegal for business owners to ask someone why he or she is not wearing a mask. People are not educated. They are conforming to rules that don’t exist.”

It is good to know that there are some freedom fighters working on behalf of the people. Our job is to learn about our rights and freedoms, and to ensure that they are being upheld.

Becoming fearless in a fear state NIKITA YOUNG

nikita@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Before this COVID era, most people generally lived their lives without fear that going out into the world would cause them to get severely ill.

We shared drinks at parties, we swam in pools together, and in a sense, we lived fearlessly compared to the lifestyle we have now all been forced to accept. With all the different opinions on what the severity is of COVID really is, we get many different personalities from the people with full on COVID phobia to people that don’t even

think the virus really exists.

On one side, people are afraid of catching the virus and on the other side people are afraid of losing their rights and freedoms. Though both sides have very different concerns it shows that we have all in some way given our lives to the fear of this pandemic spectacle.

According to the American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research there are many studies that show that stress causes inflammation in your body that can lead to health problems like: the flu, anxiety, restlessness, strokes and cancer to name a few. When you are fearful for long periods of time your metabolic and organ functions begin to change and affect your body’s ability to heal. Your body triggers an inflammatory response to the fear as a defence so that it can begin to regulate your body’s functions in the stressful situation.

In 2012, Sheldon Cohen did a clinical study that showed the effects stressful

life events have on the body. 276 healthy adults participated in the study. The volunteers were exposed to a rhinovirus. The results showed the control group that was exposed to long-term stressful situations were at higher risk of developing a cold.

COVID-19 has been around for about a year now and tensions continue to rise between those who want to be governed and those who want the freedom to make their own health decisions. The effects of this prolonged stress are apparent just in the way people interact now. I see less people talking with one another, neighbours don’t say hi anymore and people just seem generally on edge and eager to not be around one another. Could this be a contributing factor in the rise of the “cases” mainstream media keeps talking about?

We may never get the data to show what the contributing factors are to the pandemic, but what we can do is be

more observant of our own health and make sure that we aren’t ignoring the signs our bodies give us. If you find yourself overly worried about things like catching the virus or what rights the government wants to take from you, it may be time to take a step back and go into self-care mode. Find your favourite ways to de-stress and make sure you give yourself the time to do those things.

Fear can be conquered with the right information and understanding of certain situations, so don’t let it consume you to the point of which it starts affecting your health. Getting through a fearful situation can give you strength and can make it easier to handle stressful things that may arise the future.

Becoming aware of your moods and feelings then working through them in a positive way can help even the most fearful become more fearless, even while in a fear state.

NEWS

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 11

Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival; Bringing the magic back world can experience the very first virtual interactive Music Festival for 2021. Jamaica Jazz and Blues is Bringing Back the Magic with a one-of-a-kind-experience that fans of the festival have become accustomed to. There could not be a better time to share the beauty, culture, and vibe of Jamaica with the world.

Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited to the media launch of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, and here we were introduced to what will be one of the classiest events of the year.

This year’s festival organisers, Steady Image Media Group and Touchstone Productions, did a fantastic job outlining their plans for the first-ever fully virtual staging of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. Appleton Estates hosted the launch, and we were warmly welcomed by Kamal Powell, Marketing Manager, J Wray & Nephew. We also had a chance to hear from Director of Jamaica Tourism, Donovan White, who let us know that near or far, people from across the globe were welcome to be part of this spectacular event.

Collaboration is imperative to the success of any major event, and we were introduced to the partners who would be a part of making the Jazz Festival a success. Their partners include: Jamaica Tourist Board, Flow, Appleton Estates, Donna’s Caribbean Restaurant, and Mastercard.

They also have a diverse group of

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

For years, jazz has perfectly encapsulated the history of a people. Born from the music of African-American slaves, it has found a way to circulate the globe, as it intertwines with so many different facets of modern American life: the movies, dance, art, and literature.

The enduring popularity of Jazz found its way to the islands, and since 1996, Jamaica has been a travel destination for jazz lovers all over the world. Over the decades, the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival has brought thousands of visitors to the island. The festival has showcased over 400 international and local musical acts including: Celine Dion, Diana Ross, Michael Bolton, Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Maroon 5, Estelle, Toots, Beenie Man, Lady Saw, and many more notable artists and performers.

For five years, the festival was absent from the Jamaican entertainment scene, but there is something brewing in Jamaica. From March 4th, 2021 – March 6th, 2021, jazz lovers from all over the

sponsors involved. Their Silver Sponsors: Mystique Official Digital Media Partners, Tourism Enhancement Funds, Tourism Linkages Network, Enterprise Rent-a-car, and Supporting Sponsors: Special Needs Group, and Studiocraft.

Mastercard’s commercial made me miss Jamaica. A man was sitting on the beach playing his saxophone. As he sits there, surrounded by crystal blue waters a woman saunters down the beach and pours a glass of Appleton into a glass.

The man takes a moment, pulls out his Mastercard and taps his card. Watching this made me think of a time when life was that easy.

A few of the artists that will be performing at the festival made cameo appearances. Amongst them were: Tessellated, Zia Benjamin, Janine Jkul, and reggae singer Jah9. The artists shared a little about themselves, and why they were looking forward to performing at this year’s event. Among the new faces were the eight members of the ATF Band, and Raven who will be performing on March 4th, 2021. Some of the other confirmed artists this year are: Sevana, Richie Stephens, Jon Secada, Tessellated, Jah 9, Lila Ikè.

What I noticed was that this year they are focused on capturing the younger audience. Music has evolved, and the event organizers realize that the festival had to evolve with it. They have successfully carried out this marketing

strategy by finding the right people to be part of the first ever-virtual event. They have Quite Perry hosting on March 4th; The Mitchells from “Meet the Mitchells� on March 5th, and Terri-Karelle Reid on March 6th.

Along with hosting, The Mitchells will be showcasing some of the hotels on the island. Attendees will also be treated to an adventure across the island with host, and singer Richie Stephens.

Jamaica is coveted for their ceramic artwork, and extraordinary homegrown products, so this year, the festival will have the Jamaica Jazz Artisan Village, Powered by: Tourism Enhancement Fund.

Attendees will also have the pleasure of buying: original art, sculpture, clothing, woodwork, and jewellery from some of Jamaica’s finest creative and artistic entrepreneurs.

They have made the festival completely interactive by providing attendees the opportunity to ask questions, and be part of live polls, games and competitions. The event is totally and completely FREE, but donations are always welcome.

I don’t know where you will be on March 4th+, but if you are like me, you are going to find a way to escape this lockdown, even if for now, we can only do it virtually. For those who have attended the festival in the past, share your favourite memories with the hashtags #BringingBackTheMagic, #JamaicaJazz2021, and #JamaicaJazzandblues.

COVID-19 Guidelines, or a violation of human rights?

Essential workers ticketed in Hamilton the volunteers welcome all those in need of food, clothing, sleeping bags, and winter essentials. The organization distributes essential supplies to those who have lost their homes and has helped over 300 people.

Yet somehow, this charitable organization’s volunteers were gifted with a fine of $880 on January 18th, 2021. Just like other times, the volunteers went to outreach in Hamilton. After inquiry, the group decided to set their table in front of the Hamilton City Hall as it was a high traffic area. Just as expected, those who needed the resources being distributed, approached the table, and soon the area was swarmed.

After a while, eight police officers arrived at the scene and fined all the volunteers exempting teenagers $880.

The officers did not ask the volunteers what they were there for or why some of them weren’t wearing masks.

According to the Government of Ontario website, “You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a medical condition that inhibits your ability to wear a face covering.� However, the police officers did not concern themselves with asking questions and refused to lis-

TVISHA MISTRY

tvisha@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Imagine this: you’re taking a stroll in your neighbourhood when you see your neighbour. You then decide to stand apart and chat, until a police car shows up and fines you both $880. You may be wondering, what did you do wrong?

What was your crime?

Something very similar happened to twelve people in Hamilton.

This particular group of individuals were volunteers from Project Phoenix, looking to distribute food and clothing among the homeless. Project Phoenix is an outreach project initiated in August 2020, by Phoenix Scott, a thirteen-year-old girl.

The project is dedicated to redistributing resources amongst those in need. Providing a non-judgement zone, RY 10TH

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ten to what the volunteers had to say.

“Whenever you have a lot of police officers present, the homeless people become afraid. It is intimidating to the homeless and they don’t come to eat when they are hungry. I just don’t understand why they felt the need to send eight officers when one would have sufficed,� commented Tara Hillis, a volunteer with Project Phoenix.

Upon arrival, the police officer claimed, “You’re not allowed to leave the house, under the stay-at-home order.�

However, it is clearly outlined on the Government of Canada’s webpage that “Workers who support food, shelter, and social services, addictions treatment and outreach, ... for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals� are a part of essential services.�

Nevertheless, the police officer ticketed Project Phoenix volunteers on the basis of the gathering held, during COVID-19. Outreach and social work are considered essential services, and thus the volunteers were clearly in their rights to distribute items to those in need, yet they were fined.

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others be considered a penalizable offense? In a time when people need all the assistance they can get, is it right to discourage the scarce population offering support?

Regardless of social service being an essential service, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom outlines several basic human rights including the Freedom of Assembly and the Freedom of Association. These rights ensure that all individuals are free to organize, form, and participate in groups, and can gather both privately and publicly.

However, the COVID-19 guidelines restrict both of these freedoms. We have been socially distancing for several months now, and currently, we are in a province-wide lockdown.

The statistics beg to question the effectiveness of the pandemic guidelines. Doctors have questioned the benefits of the COVID-19 restrictions, and there is no conclusive evidence suggesting an improvement in the number of cases. If the protocols enforced are truly ineffective; then a virus is spreading in our society, and it’s not Corona.

PAGE 12

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Reggae Hall of Famer Rupert (OJIJI) Harvey walks memory lane with “Old Friends” in new video MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“Old Friends” is the timely name of the latest music video from Barrie Ontario based, award-winning Reggae singer Rupert (Ojiji) Harvey.

In this video, Harvey took his fans down memory lane way back in time, as far back as the 70s, when he and his crew were growing up here in Toronto.

The singer made special mention to the Vaughn Road neighbourhood in the west end of the city as a place where he and his good friends used to hang out.

He also mentions most of his old pals by name letting the viewers know who are still alive, who got deported, and even those that are dead. Even though his video is just over five and a half minutes

long, Harvey manages to pack much of his life story in.

Harvey passed on wisdom in this musical piece, singing about he and his friends’ spirituality as well as how some of them fell from grace into the clutches of the white powder aka Cocaine.

I had the honour of speaking with this musician, singer, and father to learn more about his life and times in Toronto from childhood to where he is today.

Harvey told me that he came here, as an eleven-year-old kid. Back then, there were not many blacks here in Toronto, and not a whole lot for black kids to do.

“The government,” he said, “actually opened up a little community center for us on Vaughn Road just south of Saint Clair. It was a gathering placed for us youths.” Even so, Harvey never forgot his Jamaican roots and gives credit to his grandmother and great grandmother who brought him up to believe that he was second to none.

When asked about his childhood friends he said, “Sometimes when I watch the video, I have to hold back the tears

and I do cry.” Harvey told me. “Unfortunately not everybody came up with the same parental guidance that I did and a lot them fell into crime, badness, were killed off or ended up in prison.”

I asked Harvey if he had any advice for young black kids growing up in this city now? “First of all,” he said, “iis selflove, and love each other. It does not matter where you are from. You have to honour your ancestors who went through a lot of struggles so that you could be alive today.”

Harvey was asked about his idols growing up and told me, “I was blessed because my brother was a musician in the famous (Studio-one) back in Jamaica. He played guitar for Toots and the Maytals for the last 40 years.”

As both a solo recording artist, the founder of legendary funk band, Crack of Dawn, and world-renowned Reggae outfit, Messenjah, Harvey has been an iconic mainstay on the Canadian music scene for more than four decades.

His awards include: a JUNO, CASBY, and the Q107 Music Award. Inducted

into the Canadian Reggae Music Hall of Fame, Harvey’s music has been featured in several television and movie soundtracks.

There was also a cameo appearance in the movie Cocktail.

Harvey spoke of how conscious reggae has taken a nose-dive since the death of Bob Marley, and in some cases has been replaced by the (gun-thing) and the “dutty gyal” vibe which he thinks is an invasion designed to damage the musical culture.

When asked what inspired him to create such a music video? He replied, “I thought you know what? I have a voice that I could use in remembering all these people and that era which a lot of young people today do not know about. It literally just poured out of me on paper.”

Michelle Melles and Pedro Orrego produced his latest video. It features engineering and production contributions from Harvey’s son, Meshach. Harvey played most of the instruments on the track called” Old Friends.” Folks who want to download the track can go to (bandcamp.com).

“What you did was unacceptable;” Is GoFundMe part of the cancel culture?

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“GoFundMe reserves the right to modify, suspend or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Services (or any part thereof) at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and without any liability to you or to any third party for any claims, damages, costs, or losses resulting therefrom.”

It was the night of January 19th when I received a phone call from Grant Browning, CEO of Carib101 Media Group. He was upset, and rightfully so. We had just launched our GoFundMe page, on January 18th, and in 24 hours, they had taken down the page.

Grant was confused, as was I. We went through the terms of service to see how our message had gone against it. The focus of our campaign was on building our own video platform, a fully independent live news stream bringing interviews from those who had been silenced. We spoke about breaking free from the restrictions and censorship of social media platforms.

With support from our community, this would mean more: investigative reporters, news anchors, researchers, and new equipment to assist in on-location coverage.

We had been so excited to announce our expansion project. We knew what needed to be done, but we knew we needed help to accomplish it. The greater goal for the project is to have continuous programming, seven days a week. We want to showcase the best in entertainment, unbiased journalism, informative/ investigative reporting, and human rights

stories from around the globe.

We knew we had a larger challenge. We were receiving hundreds of messages and emails asking us to repeat our successful event. Despite the cyber attacks that occurred on Saturday, January 2nd, 2020, The Awakening World Truth Summit was a huge success! We managed to have over ONE MILLION VIEWERS that came to the site to be part of the momentous event.

People are asking to be educated on exactly how they can protect themselves. People are clearly demanding the truth and as a team, we decided it was time to double our efforts to provide what you need.

What had we done wrong? What could we have possibly done that would make GoFundMe take down our funding page?

It was time to do some research.

Myself, and one of my researchers went to the GoFundMe Page, and read over every piece of their site. We combed through the pages, looking for anything that could give us a clue as to why. Why reject our page in just 24 hours?

What we found was not very interesting. If anything, it was vague. I did find certain sections that made me suspicious, so I thought I would take a closer look at our write up to see if what we wrote infringed on one of these sections. Let’s be real, it is kind of hard when one of their sections says, Section 28 “GoFundMe’s terms of service say it can take down funds that are any activity that GoFundMe may deem in its sole discretion to be unacceptable”

Like I said, vague. When they say, “Its sole discretion to be unacceptable,” means that if you say anything they don’t like, they could pull down your account, and rightfully so. It is their platform.

There are other sections that are

clearer, and it just went to show me that any platforms that are considered “mainstream,” would not allow, or support organizations like Carib101 Media Group. It has become the way of our current world; if you go against the mainstream in any way, your life is disrupted. Let’s go through a few more sections.

GoFundMe states that you are not to use the Services to raise funds or establish or contribute to any Campaign with the implicit or explicit purpose of or involving: 1. The violation of any law, regulation, industry requirement, or third-party guidelines or agreements by which you are bound.

3. User Content or campaigns that are fraudulent, misleading, inaccurate, dishonest, or impossible.

10. Activities within, or involving countries, regions, governments, persons, or entities that are subject to U.S. and other economic sanctions under applicable law, unless such activities are expressly authorized by the appropriate governmental authority.

H. Not create any liability for GoFundMe or cause us to lose (in whole or in part) the services of our Internet Service Provider(s), web hosting company or any other vendors or suppliers.

The sections above are the ones that stuck out for me after re-reading our page write up. I want readers to take a look at what we wrote.

“As the free world quickly ushers in mass censorships, lock-downs, curfews, and other restrictions that infringe on our human rights and freedoms, it’s becoming criminal to express opinions and question anything that doesn’t fall in line with the current narratives.

We are committed to providing you with more specialists, more educators, more

interviews, and more of the news you need to make proactive decisions for your family and your community.

It seems as if we live in a world that makes it illegal to ask questions. Mainstream media is only telling you a tiny percentage of the stories that take place, only reporting on what fits current narratives, and what appeases governments. They are feeding fears and anxieties. Creating anger and frustrations, instead of working for the people and holding our governments accountable.

We need leadership, real unbiased media to tell us the WHOLE story. All perspectives, the real truths, the beautiful, the good, the bad, and the ugly... that’s what the media is supposed to be.

Standing up and going against the grain is a battle in itself, and we hope you are willing to put your money towards building a platform for the people.”

GoFundMe’s terms of service say it can take down funds that are “for the legal defence of alleged crimes associated with hate, violence, harassment, bullying, discrimination, terrorism or intolerance of any kind relating to race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, sex, gender or gender identity or serious disabilities or diseases.”

What stuck out to me was the part that said, “Intolerance of any kind.” I suppose that in their eyes, what we were doing could be seen as intolerant. My research showed me that we were not unique; there have been other pages that were taken down.

The point of this story is to express the fact that if you are doing anything that goes against the mainstream, stay off their platforms. Save yourself the time and agony. It is time that we start building our own platforms and finding ways to support those who are going against the grain and are standing for truth.

We are in this together, so we better start acting like it.

NEWS

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 13

Is it possible that depleted soil is at the root of poor health? print. But you may need to consult with a farmer, not a doctor, to learn about the risks facing your vegetables.

At its best, good soil is home to worms, beetles, bugs, and untold numbers of microscopic organisms that serve important functions. In life and death, they furnish the soil with nutrients. Their busy work helps the soil absorb and retain water. Some of them help control harmful pests. But farming practices have been unkind to these critters. Relentless tilling of fields and applications of fertilizers has lessened the quality of topsoil across North America. It is dry, unable to hold nutrients or water. It blows away. And the water run-off, polluted with nitrate, a common fertilizer, is a major concern.

Regulatory limits determine acceptable levels of nitrate in public drinking water supplies. But the degradation of groundwater from over application of nitrogen fertilizers is a major concern to researchers studying human health. A report in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health warns of a relationship between nitrate ingestion and colorectal cancer, thyroid

W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES TC HEALTH REPORTER

We recently wrote about the gut microbiome – the remarkable digestive ecosystem that influences how nutrients and bacteria contribute to weight management, organ function, and even our mental health. Did you know there is a soil microbiome, and that this too affects your health? It turns out; we’ve not taken good care of it.

Perhaps you already worry about the air you breathe and the water you drink. You are, at least, choosing healthy foods that deliver the nutrition you need.

You don’t buy processed products, don’t drink soda, and limit salt intake. Maybe you are even vegan, feeling good about both your health and your carbon foot-

disease, and neural tube defects, including at water nitrate levels below regulatory limits.

The United Nations considers soil degradation one of the central threats to human health in the coming decades.

For now, studies show that farmed vegetables still provide all the necessary nutrients for good health. Your practice should be a diet containing the recommended number of servings per day of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

But there’s also something to be said for turning to natural supplements when you don’t regularly achieve the daily 2.5 to 3 cups of vegetables and 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit. Further, there are notable health benefits to natural supplements.

Take Healing Earth, for example, which offers relief for joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. These vegetable capsules contain humic acid, found in healthy soil as a result of microbial decomposition of plant matter, and MSM, another organic compound that contains sulfur. Sulfur is sometimes called “the forgotten nutrient�, although it is essential for a healthy liver, connective tissues and

even stress response.

The earliest descriptions of medical uses for humic acid are found in Sanskrit, Roman, and Chinese texts. Its chemical nature was determined in the early 1800s. More recently, the World Journal of Gastroenterology published a study that tested the effects of humic acids on microbial communities of the colon.

The results showed a 20-30% increase in concentrations of these healthy colonic inhabitants, suggesting an alternative to fecal transplants, or probiotics to restore weakened health.

A report in the journal Nutrients notes MSM “may have clinical applications for arthritis and other inflammatory disorders such as interstitial cystitis, allergic rhinitis, and acute exercise-induced inflammation.�

It’s depressing what’s happening to our natural environment. But there is, at least, some hope that scientists are getting better at explaining the health benefits of mystically revered organic substances like humic acid and MSM, and that convenient and safe products are available on store shelves.

Building the Canadian Shield; an illogical and irrelevant strategy, or a solid plan?

2020, “Canada is a high-trust society with an engaged citizenry. The strong majority of Canadians support provincial and Federal government actions against COVID. Although there have been some anti-mask and anti-regulation protests, the COVID response has not yet become generally polarized or politicized.�

AMANDA WILLIAMS amanda@carib101.com

TC JR. REPORTER

This is a bold statement for Global Canada to make considering the following:

The COVID Strategic Choices Group is an interdisciplinary task force whose goal is to identify and assess different strategies to manage the pandemic until vaccines are fully deployed. The Group suggests that Canada will likely experience a 3rd wave in the spring without a fundamental change in strategy. Building the Canadian Shield is the Group’s approach, designed to shield Canadians and the economy from both COVID and the unintended consequences of the fight against COVID.

The Group aims to save 5,000 lives, create 320,000 jobs and generate $37B of economic growth in 2021, with the expected vaccination of 3M of the most vulnerable Canadians. Vaccination of the 200-300 thousand truckers and 2550 thousand essential workers who make up most US-Canada land-border crossings are also part of the plan.

The group admits the strategy is not guaranteed to succeed; however, “Success will allow Canadians, within a few weeks, to take back collective control of their lives, their hospitals, their business, and their communities.�

Cited from the Global Canada Working Paper, dated December 23rd, RY 10TH

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The COVID Strategic Choices Group states that members who serve in their individual capacity do not represent any organization, and are independent of any government; however, some affiliates are worth noting. One member is the SVP of Bell Corporate Services Canada, the parent company of Bell Media, which owns and runs 30 CTV television stations across Canada. Mainstream media is responsible for projecting unnecessary fear into Canadians’ hearts and minds using COVID cases and deaths, with minimal context. GlobalCanada who houses the Strategic Choices Group, has Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation listed as a supporter. The Gates Foundation has invested millions of dollars in vaccines and would receive financial gain with this strategy enforced.

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Ontarians have been protesting against lockdowns every Saturday in Toronto since March/April 2020 Ontario MPP Randy Hillier has opposed many of the lockdown measures since May 2020 In July 2020, Belinda Karahalios was ousted from the PC caucus after voting against Bill 195 A group of parents supported by Stand Up Canada and Stand4Thee initiated citizens’ arrests against mayors in Ontario to defend the children who have and still suffer from COVID measures not limited to but including eating disorders and suicide The Melbourne Model, an aggressive approach used by Victoria State Australia, was analyzed and considered by the Group. The Melbourne lockdown is regarded as one of the worst violations of civil liberties, as reported in the Daily UK On December 10th, 2020, The Justice Centre filed a lawsuit challenging sections of the Public Health Act and Orders in Manitoba, claiming lockdown measures are not justified violations of the Charter-protected freedoms of

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conscience, religion, expression, and peaceful assembly The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms is filing court actions in five provinces to end the Charter-violating lockdowns An international group of lawyers is preparing to sue the World Health Organization (WHO) over damages inflicted on large parts of the population by the coronavirus lockdowns

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case per million population is unattainable without proper testing. The PCR test is not designed to detect ANY illness or disease and is responsible for the high number of false positives.

3. Current lockdown measures do not pass the OAKES test. Lockdowns restrict access to essential health services, including screenings, treatments, and surgeries resulting in death. Lockdowns have also caused: increased suicides, drug overdoses, domestic violence, child abuse, mental illnesses, hunger, poverty, and the loss of jobs and businesses.

Considering the Group’s name, there seems to be a lack of choices with their approach. Building the Canadian Shield consists of a hard 4–6-week lockdown, restricting non-essential flights, travel between provincial borders, increased isolation, and massive quick testing of asymptomatic people until near-zero COVID levels are reached.

The report is based on epidemiological and economic modelling, including expected vaccinations and inaccurate case numbers, making the entire strategy illogical and irrelevant. Potentially, this strategy could have citizens locked down for much longer than expected.

In conclusion, the 17-page report provides few details on the Group’s plan to create $37B in economic growth, providing a false sense of hope for those whose lives have already been destroyed by lockdowns as well as those still hanging on by a thread.

PAGE 14

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Canada’s Wonderland actively plans to reopen, seven days after letter is written by Attractions Ontario to the Premier SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“In light of not being allowed to open, Attractions Ontario believes the government has a duty to these businesses to help them recover the money they spent in vain. We feel that many of the decisions, which impacted our industry, this past summer did not stem from the science behind the virus.”

Troy Young (CEO of Attractions Ontario) I am sharing this story because what we are seeing now is a movement of solidarity. More and more business owners, and citizens of Canada are recognizing the issues that have been presented with these COVID-19 lockdowns, and they are speaking out.

In October of last year, Ryan Vande Vooren, owner of GlowZone 360 contacted me about concerns he and other business owners had about banks profiting from the funds and guarantees on loans. In a heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ryan spoke on behalf of himself and other businesses. He was concerned that the Royal Bank of Canada was making profit off the backs of the people that the Prime Minister had given them funds to help (Short-term gain for longterm pain; Business owner speaks out against banks).

I received another letter from Ryan,

this time he was speaking on behalf of Attractions Ontario. He had sent me a letter written by Troy Young, the CEO of Attractions Ontario. Ryan is on the Board of Directors and he told me right away that he was in full support of everything in the letter. The letter was written on January 21st, 2021 and was addressed to: • • • • • • • • • • •

Premier Doug Ford Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance Hon. Christine Elliott, Minister of Health Hon. Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries Hon. Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Hon. Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines Andrea Horwath, MPP, Leader of the NDP Paul Miller, MPP, Opposition Critic, Tourism and Sport Steven Del Duca, Leader of the Liberal Party of Ontario Beth Potter, President of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario Kevin Nichol, President of the Ontario Snow Resorts Association

Mr Young was very polite, but firm in his requests. He acknowledged the unenviable challenges that the government have had to deal with in the last ten months. He was empathetic about the difficulties that the government must be facing trying to balance the economic needs and the health risks posed by the pandemic.

Notwithstanding, he did feel that there were times when the risk to Ontarians’ health had been overstated, especially when it came to the operations of the members of Attractions Ontario and other tourism busi-

nesses.

During the limited operations this summer, there were no outbreaks of COVID-19 attributed to tourist attractions. This was possible because proactive steps were taken to ensure safe operations. They had provided the government with safe operations guidelines from international bodies, such as: the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions and the World Water Parks Association.

Attractions Ontario credits Minister Lisa MacLeod for being a tireless champion for them, and they want Premier Ford to empower her to present a plan that allows the attractions industry to open province-wide safely and in a way that makes economic sense.

One way he noted, to achieve this clarity is to remove the arbitrary caps applied during the previous guidelines. He strongly feels that the hard caps of 10, 25, 50, or 100 applied to those indoor and outdoor attractions, which were subject to them are unfair.

He pointed out that grocery stores, big box stores, and other retail activities were not subject to these caps. In general, he believes that retail operations had a less onerous standard applied to them than did any of the tourism businesses.

He then presented another issue, which concerned: amusement parks, waterparks and now ski resorts. During the summer, the government led amusement parks and waterparks to believe they would be able to open when Ontario moved to stage 3. Members of Attractions Ontario made investments with this understanding. In good faith, these businesses, following the government’s directions, invested money in preparing their operations for reopening. Then, with little notice, everything was reversed.

He expressed bewilderment about the fact that if the government never intended to allow them to open, they should have said so early on during the pandemic so that these business operators would not have made investments they would never recover.

He highlights the fact that the amusement parks, waterparks and now snow resorts have borne a higher level of negative financial pressure with the recent lockdowns This added financial pressure may end up closing some of these operations permanently.

SOMETHING HAPPENED!

On January 28th, 2021, an announcement was made that Canada’s Wonderland will be opening on May 14th, 2021, and they are looking forward to welcoming patrons back to what they say will be an amazing season.

It has been reported that Cedar Fair, Canada’s Wonderland owner and operator, also announced that Cedar Point and Kings Dominion amusement parks would reopen on May 14th, and May 22nd, 2021.

Naturally, they will have some heat on them, especially because they plan to reopen, but they are not deterred. Other news sources are saying that they are unclear as to how this happened, and I can’t say for sure, but if this letter was read by Premier Ford and the other people it was sent to, it could have had some bearings on what has occurred.

Without the right connections, we will never know for sure, but what this does go to show is that a group of individuals joined together and stood up. Magically, changes happened. I do hope that our communities will truly revel in the idea that there is strength in numbers.

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

NEWS

PAGE 15

COVID-19 guidelines, or a violation of human rights?

Essential workers ticketed in Hamilton AMANDA WILLIAMS amanda@carib101.com

TC JR. REPORTER

Imagine this: you’re taking a stroll in your neighbourhood when you see your neighbour. You then decide to stand apart and chat, until a police car shows up and fines you both $880. You may be wondering, what did you do wrong? What was your crime?

Something very similar happened to twelve people in Hamilton. This particular group of individuals were volunteers from Project Phoenix, looking to distribute food and clothing among the homeless. Project Phoenix is an outreach project initiated in August 2020, by Phoenix Scott, a thirteen-year-old girl.

The project is dedicated to redistributing resources amongst those in need. Providing a non-judgement zone,

the volunteers welcome all those in need of food, clothing, sleeping bags, and winter essentials. The organization distributes essential supplies to those who have lost their homes and has helped over 300 people.

Yet somehow, this charitable organization’s volunteers were gifted with a fine of $880 on January 18th, 2021. Just like other times, the volunteers went to outreach in Hamilton. After inquiry, the group decided to set their table in front of the Hamilton City Hall as it was a high traffic area. Just as expected, those who needed the resources being distributed, approached the table, and soon the area was swarmed.

After a while, eight police officers arrived at the scene and fined all the volunteers exempting teenagers $880. The officers did not ask the volunteers what they were doing, or why some of them weren’t wearing masks.

According to the Government of Ontario website, “You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a medical condition that inhibits your ability to wear a face covering.” However, the police officers did not concern themselves with asking questions and refused to listen to

what the volunteers had to say.

“Whenever you have a lot of police officers present, the homeless people become afraid. It is intimidating to the homeless and they don’t come to eat when they are hungry. I just don’t understand why they felt the need to send eight officers when one would have sufficed,” commented Tara Hillis, a volunteer with Project Phoenix.

Upon arrival, the police officer claimed, “You’re not allowed to leave the house, under the stay-at-home order.” However, it is clearly outlined on the Government of Canada’s webpage that “Workers who support food, shelter, and social services, addictions treatment and outreach, ... for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals” are a part of essential services.”

Nevertheless, the police officer ticketed Project Phoenix volunteers on the basis of the gathering held, during COVID-19. Outreach and social work are considered essential services, and thus the volunteers were clearly in their rights to distribute items to those in need, yet they were fined.

The question we really need to ask authorities here is: should helping

others be considered a penalizable offense? In a time when people need all the assistance they can get, is it right to discourage the scarce population offering support?

Regardless of social service being an essential service, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom outlines several basic human rights including the Freedom of Assembly and the Freedom of Association. These rights ensure that all individuals are free to organize, form, and participate in groups, and can gather both privately and publicly.

However, the COVID-19 guidelines restrict both of these freedoms. We have been socially distancing for several months now, and currently, we are in a province-wide lockdown.

The statistics beg to question the effectiveness of the pandemic guidelines.

Doctors have questioned the benefits of the COVID-19 restrictions, and there is no conclusive evidence suggesting an improvement in the number of cases. If the protocols enforced are truly ineffective; then a virus is spreading in our society, and it’s not Corona.

Human Rights Tribunal awards $35,000 to six-year-old PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The awarding of $35,000 by the Human Rights Tribunal damages is good news to the parents of a six-year-old black girl. She was handcuffed and restrained by Peel Regional Police (PRP) at her elementary school on September 30th, 2016.

Global News reported on March 2nd, 2020 that the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) had indicated that race was a factor in the treatment that she received by the officers of the PRP.

The ruling was made on February 24th, 2020 and publicized by the Human Rights Legal Centre. The ruling notes that there were instances of aggressive behav-

iour by the student and that the police were contacted on September 8th, 15th and 26th of 2020.

Brandy Bowlby’s ruling noted that there were discrepancies in the accounts of what happened. She notes, “This difference is critical because placing a six-year-old child on her stomach with her wrists handcuffed behind her, her ankles handcuffed and holding her in that position for almost half an hour represents an entirely different type and level of control than leaving her in a sitting position with her hands cuffed in front of her as officers said they did.”

This ruling of racial discrimination was a serious breach of the six-yearold’s human rights. Information revealed in tribunal documents shared by Mississauga News on January 7th, 2020 detailed how the six-year-old had endured several traumatic experiences, which included the murder of her father and her mother being diagnosed with cancer. In addition, she was exposed to bullying by her classmates and it had a negative effect on her.

Bowlby notes, “the applicant has suffered implicit harm in experiencing anti-black racism at a very tender age. The fact that the applicant would experience anti-black racism at such a young age is alarming: it is clear that, because of the incident, she became aware that as a black person, she may be subject to different treatment than a white child. The full impact of this is unknown, but it is now part of the applicant’s lived experience and will affect the future.”

It was revealed that the young girl had behavioural issues and was diagnosed as having oppositional defiant disorder. Mississauga News reported on January 7th, 2020 that the $35,000 financial award for damages, will go toward psychological and trauma counselling for the family. The child’s mother J.B states, “I am happy that this rather lengthy and difficult chapter is finally over. I can now focus on what lies ahead. This decision gives my community hope where we often feel there’s no recourse.”

As unfortunate as this incident is

for the young black student and her family, it will provide lessons with respect to how PRP handle these kinds of issues in the future. The fact that PRP has been able to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ontario Human Rights Commission means that it will undergo significant adjustments in how it deals with children under twelve years of age.

In addition, there is a mutually agreed legal binding remedy with PRP and the Peel Police Services Board to ensure that it engages in strategies to deal with systemic racism in policing.

J.B, the mother of the six-yearold is happy with the ruling. She states, “I am pleased with the Tribunal’s decision.

But I do hope the MOU isn’t just smartly worded and celebrated while police officers continue to have harmful interactions with black bodies on the ground, with little risk of even professional consequences. I hope it’s a meaningful step toward trusting police to be protectors of our community. These policy changes need to have an effect on our daily lives.”

PAGE 16

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Safety concerns raised about the return of special needs students to classrooms PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The Ontario government declared a second provincial emergency, which extended school closures to February 10th, 2021. The rising cases of COVID-19 infections, particularly in Southern Ontario, has closed schools in hotspots regions such as Toronto, Hamilton, Peel and Windsor.

Global News reported on December 17th, 2020 that many parents of children in the Greater Toronto area were concerned that they did not receive guidance about what will happen with their children who have disabilities. The Toronto District School

Board’s website indicated that, “Congregated sites will implement locally developed remote learning schedules. Parents need to consult with the principal of their school to make it happen.”

The Ministry of Education released in a statement that at the advice of experts, school boards should, “Ensure the most vulnerable kids who cannot participate in remote learning can continue to benefit from routine and consistency in class, coupled with the communication of strong health and safety measures.”

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) opened its doors on January 4th, 2021, and the Durham District School Board (DDSB) on January 5th, 2021 to students with special needs to start inclass learning. The Toronto Star reported on Monday, January 18th, 2021 that DDSB has opened 42 of its schools for 393 students, PDSB; 67 students, TCDSB; 40 students, and TDSB; 71 students to provide 100 in-class support.

Jim Rossiter, a special education

teacher for the DDSB has expressed specific concerns to the Toronto Star. He states, “Everybody’s shut down, but we’re still going in and not social distancing properly with the students that we have, because we can’t.”

The main issue is that many of these students are not able to practice physical distancing and wear masks.

Many parents of children with special needs report that their children fell behind during the first lockdown, which occurred in March, and online learning does not work. The ideal environment for them is the structure and atmosphere of a classroom. Many educational assistants reported that they are concerned and worried about their safety. Rossiter states, “What I think should happen is if they’re shutting everything down, they need to shut it down, even for the kids right now.”

CP24 reported on Monday, January 25th, 2021, that support staff that work at Beverly School, and focus on students with developmental and/or physical disability, have engaged in a work refusal.

The principal wrote a letter to parents informing them about the work refusal process. The letter states, “This process involves the TDSB and the Ministry of Labour discussing concerns with the impacted staff to come to a resolution. In this particular situation, there are concerns about COVID-19.”

CP24 reported that the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has insisted that the provincial government spend more money to ensure there are enhanced safety measures. EFTO released a statement that, “For some students with complex special needs, there are no viable alternatives to the highly specialized in-person programs they currently attend. However, their safety, and that of the educators and other school-based staff that support them, should not be compromised.”

City News reported on Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 that 22 support staff continued their refusal to work. They still have concerns about safety after two school bus drivers tested for COVID-I9.

70s Reggae crooner Yvonne Sterling dies after a musical comeback MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Yvonne Sterling, the Reggae crooner from the 70s that so many people loved has passed away from complications of a stroke on January 18th, 2021. She was in her early sixties.

Sterling was famous in the 70s for songs like “If You Love Me” Yvonne Sterling If You Love Me (1974), and “Oh Jah” to name a few. She also recorded with Reggae royalty the Crown Prince himself the late Mr Dennis

Emanuel Brown.

Somewhere along the line as fate would have it, Sterling fell from grace and descended into poverty for a number of years.

However, last year after floodwaters almost took her life, her plight was brought to the attention of the world by social media and that’s where fellow entertainers Little Lenny and Richie Stephens stepped up with their generosity and celebrity status to make a difference in Sterling’s life.

Sterling told “Onstage TV” host Winford Williams that she had one daughter who resided in the US, who took good care of her, but unfortunately, she died and things went downhill from there.

She also disclosed to the same TV network that she was never paid for one of her most popular cover songs “If You Love Me” even though it was a

massive hit in that era and remains so even today.

When asked by Williams why as a popular artist she had not achieved more, Sterling answered, “I am afraid of the business Winford. I have been in the business since I was fifteen and I have seen a lot of things.”

“A lot of female artists,” she said, “They don’t want to talk and I don’t want to call people’s names. I am afraid. They will kill me. I have done a lot of recordings for people in the business and they rip me off, they don’t give me any money. When I see them I cry. I tell them that I am broke, and they gave me like $500 and you will be very surprised to know the people who have done these things to me.”

One thing that poverty could not take from Sterling in her lifetime was her confidence. Even after her downfall she told a news source, “I am still alive and kicking, I

still have my gift that God gave me, and I can sing everything from Gospel, Jazz, Reggae, Blues, Soul to Calypso. I am not just a person with a voice. I have got talent.”

Sterling’s latest song is a remake from the late Reggae icon Bob Marley called “Thank You Lord.” For this one she teamed up with Little Lenny and Richie Stephens, “This song makes me cry, this song moves me, it really moves me.” Sterling was thankful to Little Lenny and Richie Stephens for being instrumental in trying to revive her musical career and for reintroducing her to the world once more.

Yvonne Sterling has touched many lives around the world with her gift of song, and after all she has been through, she was still asking for good will among men in the end. In her case, it is safe to say that when you were made to shine, not even the darkest night can hide you. RIP Miss Sterling you will be missed by many.

New Math Initiative launched for Black and Indigenous students

by Canadian Mathematical Society PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) has been around since June 1945. It was originally called the Canadian Mathematical Congress but changed its name in 1978.

The goal of CMS is to “Promote and advance the discovery, learning and application of mathematics”( cms.math.ca). As a non-profit, charitable organization its vision for the future is,

“To reach out and form new partnerships with the users of Mathematics in business, governments and universities, educators in the school and College systems as well as other mathematical associations; and in doing so, share experiences, work on collaborative projects and generally enhance the perception and strengthen the profile of Mathematics in Canada.”

The CMS envisioned a commu-

nity of mathematicians, where the voices of black and indigenous mathematicians and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are acknowledged. It launched a Closing the Gap-CMS Inclusion Initiative in which it invited 400 black and indigenous students to participate in the Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC), and the Canadian Mathematical Gray Jay Competition (CMGC).

To the organization, this is, “An opportunity for students to engage with Mathematics and STEM activities and have their mathematical talent recognized.”

The Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge is open to Canadians citizens or permanent residents in all locations, at all grade levels. Students must fulfil the following eligibility requirements: • •

•

The student must be under 19 years of age as of June 30th, 2021 The student must be attending school full-time (elementary, secondary, Cegep, or home-schooled) at least since September 15th, 2021 The student must not have written the Putnam competition. This is a held the first Saturday in December and is administered by the Mathematical Association of America

The CMGC is relatively new as a competition and is open to students in grades K-8.

We want to focus on work that students covered in their grade 5-8 curriculum. Mathematicians from all over Canada worked collaboratively to develop it.

Students who identify as black or indigenous are able to write the 2021 CMGC for free. The competition will be held on Thursday, October 8th, 2021 in North and South America. It will be held on October 9th, 2021 in different parts of the world. The eligibility requirements are the following: • •

•

The student must be under 15 years of age as of June 30th, 3021 The students must be attending school full-time (elementary, secondary, or home-schooled) at least since September 15th, 2021 The students must be in Grades K-8

The topics that students need to know include the following: probability, geometry and symmetry, exponents and order of operations, algebra, sequences and series, patterns, simple counting problems, elementary number theory, ratio, rate per cent, data analysis (interpreting bar and pie graphs), integers and fractions.

There is a Frequently Asked Questions page that answers questions about eligibility and registration inquiries, modes of writing (print or virtual), exam format and procedures, payment and shipment inquiries, login and account inquiries and how results are communicated.

Students can access practice questions on the website as well as solutions. The 2020 Exam Paper written in October 2020 can be accessed as a pdf file as well as the solutions.

In order to help black and indigenous students and their parents prepare for this innovative Math initiative free webinars are offered. The first one titled “Raising Kids who aren’t scared of Math: The 5 most valuable things you can teach your students,” was offered on October 13th, 2020. The second one “Math the Elders knew,” was offered on October 14th, 2020. There were two webinars offered on October 22nd, 2020 titled, “Math and Mindset for the Competition and beyond,” and “Preparing for the Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge( CMC).”

Parents and students can assess these webinars anytime at the Ontario Association for Mathematics Educators website: oame.on.ca. They provide practical ideas and knowledge that are useful.

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

NEWS

PAGE 17

Shackles Lost Bryant breaks the silence on his family’s struggle with mental health LA SHAWNA GRIFFITH lashawna@carib101.com

BARBADOS TC REPORTER

BARBADOS -- “God spoke to me from the hospital room and put me on this journey to be a mental health advocate,” he said when I asked him about the inspiration behind the book Shackles Lost.

Who was speaking to me in an interview that lasted over an hour?

It was no other than Ralph Bryant, a poet who currently resides in Canada who released his book Shackles Lost in 2020 to raving reviews.

The book which focuses on mental health dived into him finding out about this family’s shackles around the topic of mental health, and the stigma associated with it growing up in black society.

“It is a book that is probably 150 years in the book in the making. Shackles Lost is an attempt for me to reconcile my thirty-seven years of my family’s struggle with mental health that goes back at least three generations,” Ralph shares with me.

Bryant explained the first time he realized both his mother and maternal grandmother had mental health problems was when he was the tender age of thirteen-years-old.

“My mom had been hospitalized for the third time, and we were doing family therapy for children of families with mental health challenges. It was at that point that it was explained to me that I could also have those same challenges. I did everything to try to mitigate my triggers, and I still had a panic attack and ended up in the hospital.”

From his hospital bed, Bryant made the choice that he would no longer be silent about mental health, but that he would become an advocate for the cause.

This would allow people in the black community to understand that having a mental illness is ok.

“God came and spoke to me

when I was in the hospital and put me on this journey. I used to say that I am being a mental health advocate reluctantly, because I know that I will face some blowback being as open as I have. But I feel like I do not have any other choice. I feel like until we start talking about mental health openly and honestly, we are never going to have the healing that we want. I want to be better and I want my community to be better.

I am telling my story so that somewhere, someone who has a story to tell now has a safe space to tell it. Someone has to take a stand for mental illness, and I am trying to take a stand for mental illness and healing in the black community.”

Bryant holds nothing back with his pen. He paints a picture of his childhood. A male family member assaulted him at a young age and he shared how that impacted him into adulthood.

“My mother was a teen mom at 16.

My father left when I was two years old. At the age of thirteen, I was sexually assaulted by two strangers in broad daylight. I sought therapy for almost 15 years off and on, and I realized I never got what I needed. I got so

good at telling the psychologist what they wanted to hear that I never truly was able to get to the root of my problems.”

The self-published author knows that black communities still have a long way to go in erasing the stigma associated with mental health. However he noted that changes are being done. One of his goals is to bring his book to every person in the country starting with a series of poetry readings throughout the length and breadth of Canada.

“In Canada, the one thing I would say is that black people are fortunate. We have access to mental health support. I want to begin this journey in Canada. I want to travel from coast to coast, sharing my story of poetry and mental health with the whole country. Starting in May I will begin that journey and bring Shackles Lost to every major city in the country.”

People interested in purchasing the book can order it on Amazon at Shackles Lost: The Poetry Mixtape (The Poetry Mixtape Series Book 1). You can learn more about his podcast, Black Fathers Matter, on apple podcasts.

The fine line between truth and theories has been getting more and more blurred NIKITA YOUNG

nikita@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

A new President has taken over the United States and with that came the flood of stories and theories by the media and influencers.

The stories leading up to January 20th, 2021 about the US presidential inauguration were endless. People like Alex Jones of Info Wars and “Q” enthusiasts thought that Donald Trump was going to somehow turn the vote around and remain the President. Many like Mike Adams of Natural News thought China was going to invade the US on Inauguration Day and mainstream media portrayed Biden as our world saviour.

As crazy as these things sound, not all theories were totally baseless, the heavy military presence of over 30,000 US troops at the inauguration gave some rea-

son to believe that something bigger might have been happening, as it is not a regular practice to have that level of security on the ground in order to swear in the President.

It seems like that fine line between truth and theories has been getting more and more blurred. As far as we can tell the new President has been sworn in without a hitch. So where does that leave all of these influencers who claimed they had special Intel? That something was going to interrupt the swearing in of the new president?

It is possible that people are getting caught up in the sensationalism of these concepts rather than the facts. The left vs right paradigm seems more prevalent than ever before when in fact; little of it really matters in our personal day-to-day lives.

Could all of it just be a distraction from a larger plan like the “Lockstep” plan outlined by the Rockefeller Foundation in the document “Scenarios For The Future Of Technology And International Development”? Or, maybe a way to entice us to seek government safety through plans from the Great Rest outlined by Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum?

If China were to invade the US and start a physical war we wouldn’t know it was going to happen until it actually happens. It

wouldn’t be information that is shared freely. In this instance, what good would it serve us to obsess over speculations of something that has not happened and has no sound documented confirmation that it will.

We could take information, like the list of military groups and weapons stationed around the US capital, then spin a story with a bunch of “this is going to happen” or “doomsday” scenarios. Until anything actually does happen, these influential broadcasters are just relaying theories they made up based on the information they have received. This leaves their listeners confused, on edge and fearful for no reason.

When it comes to media both independent and mainstream, it seems like reporting is more about the explosive headline than what is true and relevant to the average person’s life. Discerning information can be tedious these days, so it’s important to understand the sources of our information, and to realize that both mainstream media and independent media have their own agendas which should always be scrutinized before taking a story as truth.

Though it is important to gather information about what governments are implementing, it’s also equally important to not find yourself consumed by it. Govern-

ments and those behind the curtains will always be plotting and scheming in their own best interests, so as the people who actually make this world go round, we must learn to stop giving them so much of our attention.

The world’s a stage with many actors that all have their own ideas on how the world should be run. Those with the means to control populations have flexed their muscles over the last year showing us just how much of our power we have given over to their control. Many love being taken care of in this way by the government, but many also feel powerless and in turn will continue to follow whatever narrative is most popular or political even against their own observations, intuition and well-being.

Those who choose to ignore the theatre often lead a more peaceful life because they are focused on what is true in their lives rather than what the world view is. It’s best to look up facts when you encounter a story or something that you feel will impact your life and stick to the facts when planning your actions. You will be able to move forward with a clear mind and make rational decisions to best protect yourself in whatever situation you find yourself having to deal with.

PAGE 18

NEWS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday,February 3, 2021

Is the Caribbean education system properly outfitted to ensure that online learning matches global trends?

LA SHAWNA GRIFFITH lashawna@carib101.com

BARBADOS TC REPORTER

BARBADOS -- COVID-19 has reshaped the way in which the education sector operates.

Many teachers in the Caribbean have been forced to teach their classes predominantly using the online platform Google Classroom.

Despite many stating that the online school system was a necessary tool, many young men and women have been left behind.

In Barbados for example, young men and women are faced with not having electricity, Internet and/or technological devices. For some of them who were issued a technological device from their primary or secondary school, it is proving to be inadequate for the workload of Google classroom.

Teachers painted a bleak situation of some students not having access to electricity, internet and/or a technological device and many of these generous teachers have been delivering the printed lessons and homework to the homes of the children they have realized are not attending the online sessions.

Up to last week, the President of the Barbados Secondary School Teachers’ Union discussed the fact that teachers and students need to repeat a year for teaching and learning.

In an interview with Barbados TODAY she argued that students in Barbados are at a serious disadvantage as teachers and students have lost a lot of time due to the ad hoc nature of the online learning introduction.

“In the BSTU, our position is that they should really seek to defer exams this year. The reality is that children who are presently in fifth form, last year only had two terms of teaching because the last term would have been online, and it was a term of revision and consolidation. Because of the digital divide, we have had students without devices or others without connectivity and therefore they were not able to benefit in

the way that they should.”

Despite her reservations and the hundreds of parents who took to social media stating their displeasure, a notice was issued on Government Information Service, stating that students did have CXC examinations on January 25th, 2021 and that they should report for the exam. To date the Ministry of Education has not spoken about the current issues plaguing students at the Caribbean Examination Council.

However, the issues with online technology are not only limited to the island of Barbados. A few weeks ago, I spoke with Shivam Teelucksingh who was one of the recipients of the Angostura Championships in Trinidad and Tobago. His initiative was offering free technological repairs to students who otherwise would not have been able to access the Google classroom.

“It became very demanding as people were coming to my house every day just to get the help. It started off as software repairs, and I saw that people were in need, so I started to donate my money and my time.

Eventually, it grew to a point where I would go around different areas in Trinidad and fix two devices a family. We keep track of everything with invoices, so we know how much

it would have cost,” he told me.

Back in May, teachers in Jamaica noted in the Jamaica Observer they needed schools to be properly outfitted in order to ensure that the online classes could match global trends.

“Things need to be implemented and schools need to be sufficiently equipped with the necessary technological features, and the necessary technological apps so we can function outside of the space. As teachers, we need to set ourselves in motion because of this paradigm shift into learning to do things” the educator said.

In the Caribbean, the education system has always been light years behind in terms of having blended education as flipped classrooms, station and lab rotations are not properly implanted and many Caribbean countries have not fully implemented a blended learning structure.

It is recommended that they implement a blended learning system, which is personalized for each learner. Students would be able to not only use technology for classes but be able to use the technology to learn things like coding, which could become a new niche market for small island developing states.

Guyanese-born Canadian Filmmaker Ryan Singh inspires BIPOC filmmakers with his newest release H.E.N.R.I. JONELL PANTLITZ jonell@carib101.com

TC JR. REPORTER

H.E.N.R.I. a science fiction film from awardwinning Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), Guyanese-born Canadian filmmaker, Ryan Singh, makes its world premiere at the Toronto Black Film Festival, February 10th-21st.

H.E.N.R.I. comes on the heels of Singh’s 2020 award-winning documentary, “Memento,” a South African Artventure. For Singh and many other filmmakers, 2021 has brought more mindfulness to the changing society and the need to empower and uplift the voices of people of colour, and to take ownership of their own stories. This is a sentiment that Singh truly agrees with 100% of the cast for H.E.N.R.I. is BIPOC, and more

than 80% of the crew is BIPOC or women, including DGC director Katarzyna Kochany, and producer/actor Andrea Grant (Get Rich or Die Tryin’, The Listener). The entire VFX crew is BIPOC, including VFX artists Adrian Bobb, Colin Walcott, Cait Salmon, as well as Akash Singh and his team at Akash Productions

According to Singh, “The cast wasn’t just uniquely BIPOC, we had a truly diverse cast and crew. I don’t actually have any native indigenous people aside from myself. I am a Guyana, Amerindian mix. So, truly, quite an eclectic group of people that came together to make this project.”

The film H.E.N.R.I. was inspired by Singh’s six-year-old twins, Ava (Tall Boyz, Handmaid’s Tale) and Sebastian (Suits, Handmaid’s Tale, Silent) who helped write and also appear with their father in the short film. Singh told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper reporter, “I was just sitting, and I remembered one day when we had bought Alexa and the Google smart home devices.

The twins were about four years old when we first got one for Christmas; they were just so curious. The machine would answer their questions, and that was fascinating to me

because we’re moving in such a technological direction that oftentimes, parents don’t have time to answer many of their children’s questions.”

Later Singh communicated the idea for a film with his kids and they both loved the concept and from there H.E.N.R.I. was created.

Many would assume it is hectic working with children as young as six years old, but according to the Director and Producer Katarzyna Kochany, “The kids were great. Even when we got into post-production, we were editing, we gave them an opportunity to see all the cuts, and we gave them an opportunity to provide feedback.

It’s a good thing we did, because there were a couple of things that they noticed that we stopped seeing because we have seen the footage so many times. So, having those fresh, young eyes looking at the film was extremely helpful.”

“As the project developed, it became the catalyst for honing and nurturing talents in varying stages of professional growth. This project engaged more than two-dozen artists, most of them BIPOC,”

Singh According to Singh, “the message about this film is that you have to keep yourself open to the future, the relationship we will have with technology, and how that will impact our world.”

“I want to give a shout out to our crew members; because, without them, this movie would not be what it is,” Kochany told me.

Some of the people who made this film possible were: Sebastian Singh, Andrea Grant, Ava Singh, Colin Walcott, Cait Salmon, Adrian Bobb, Vithuna Tharmarajah, Akash Singh, Shanelle Parchment, Aaron Manswell, Ivan Camilo, Harshit Kumar, Jhanik Bullard and so many more. The complete list of cast and crew can be found on www.imdb.com

Ryan Singh will also be featured in a second film “Assets” in the same program at the Toronto Black Film Festival. Some of Singh’s upcoming projects include feature films and a slate of television projects, including a children’s program developed through the BIPOC KIDS TV WRITING BOOTCAMP.

FEATURE

PAGE 20

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

the the poetic poetic word word My Fear

BY GLORIA O’KOYE My fear of speaking on different issues, Is the unsatisfied public?

“Is that your lived experience? Why on earth do you care to talk about it?”

“Is your bloodline these people? Go worry about your own before helping out others!”

“Don’t speak if you don’t get all the tiniest details perfected.

Oh make sure you do this and that!”

“Wait what!

You speak on things you want to learn?

They would be disgusted if they heard you don’t do that!”

Your voice and curiosity to go outside and explore, May be shut down by closedminded doors If I have a passion for many years But didn’t know how or where to start, Wouldn’t a piece to spark interest from those who are willing to teach a genuine heart?

My fear is speaking out different issues Are the ones whose intentions was to protect.

“Why soak yourself in a tub of traumas?”

“Why bringing

up the past?”

If my work brings more harm than good Than I would agree And take a break.

But if writing is the only way I speak, Would you cut out the only way for me to express?

The silence is a deadly silence For voiceless.

Vocals been shut down by those Who rather shut the uprising?

Out of selfdoubts and selfishness.

To speak out to gain fame Is the reason why mistrust was planted in the first place?

So from a place to open up To capture those With relatable ears From a place where I speak To gain more insight, Of heart stricken issues So I can sit and hear!

I am no longer allowing Outside voices To silence me No longer allowing inside judgements and non constructive criticisms Have me worried.

I am dedicating the next several Pieces of my art To share some inner stories.

I am no longer fearful of how people may think of me!

FIATI SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“I don’t want validation; it’s about appreciation.”

There is something about a man in a suit.

As a woman, I can tell you that I love going to weddings or special events, and seeing a man with a suit that fits him so well, it looks like it was tailored on him. There is power in a well-tailored suit. It says, “I am making something happen. I am successful. I am putting in the work.”

The fit of the suit is arguably the most important aspect. It also happens to be the aspect with the most impact on how your suit looks and feels on you. It is all about the perfect fit, and this is why when I saw a FIATI suit on a man, I had to find out who the creative genius was behind it. How had he done it? How had he made a suit so well, that it clung to the person’s body like a second skin

FIATI is the brainchild of Fiati Adabedoh (aka, Bryan George). Engineer turned designer, Bryan was born in Ghana, and immigrated to Canada. He began his work in engineering when he was much younger, and was gifted with such intellect that a company hired him despite his age, and obvious inexperience. Although he enjoyed his work, overtime, his true calling began to surface.

It all began when he watched the movie Dolemite. The movie was a showcase of leisure suits, patterned shirts, vests and short jackets with matching pants.

Bryan was instantly inspired. He also liked to watch the show Martin. There was something about 90s fashion that he truly enjoyed, and when the pandemic hit, Bryan saw it as an opportunity to follow up on his passion for fashion.

On November 15th, 2020, Bryan made it official when he left his job to pursue the business full time. He decided that he wanted to design suits that combined

Classic European elegance, with the vibrancy of West African Culture

classic European elegance, with the vibrancy of West African Culture. To Bryan, suits were more than making a statement. He wanted when a man put on a suit crafted by him, that the suit told a story, not just any story, but the story of the man wearing it.

“I consider myself an artist, not a designer. I don’t just make clothes to put on; I make stuff to reflect people’s personality.”

Before I spoke with Bryan, I took time to scroll through his Instagram page. I was amazed by what I saw. You could tell that there was something different about his work. He did not seem to compromise on materials. From fine satin, velvet lapels to soft Italian wool, he seemed thorough with his methods. It looked like he aimed to make sure that his customers were fitted in fabrics that would make people’s heads turn. He seems to instinctively know that suits symbolize sophistication and offer a chance to showcase one’s personal style.

I wanted to learn more about his keen designer insight, so I gave him a call, and for an hour, Bryan and I talked about suits.

“The suits that I create are not just about making a statement. The suits I make become the person I am making them for,” Bryan begins to tell me. “I have over 4,000 fabrics sourced from the world’s best brands: Vitale Barberis Conanico, Nobility, through to E. Thomas to Cerruti, I thrive on seeing someone wearing a suit that fits them perfectly. It is all about quality and class for me.

Whenever I put on a suit, I feel powerful, and I make sure that there are still pieces of me in my work. I love to see how people react to what I do. It is important. I choose to design made to measure suits that reflect a person’s personality, ambition, and level of success. I truly believe that being trained as an engineer has made me detail oriented, and this is displayed in my work.”

What I learned during our interview is that Bryan is extremely observant.

There are aspects of people that he sees that allow him to design his clothing in a very specific way.

“I have been collecting images over the last few years. I would take pictures of what I see, and I have found ways

to incorporate it into my designs. People are afraid of judgment, and because of that, they sometimes hide who they are. I take people’s personalities and include it in their clothing. This way, there are always pieces of them wherever they go. I make sure that the inside of the clothing speaks for you.”

A few weeks ago, Bryan had a photo shoot that displayed his latest pieces. I had an opportunity to see some of the designs, and I noticed that he chose very unique looking models to showcase his looks.

“I don’t just put anyone in my clothing. I look for certain features. I love using eccentric looking black women. I notice aspects of a woman that others may not: eyes, personality, energy, hair texture, and I like more natural looking women.”

“There was one time when I was at an event, when I saw one of my current models. He had such an uncommon look, I couldn’t help but take him in.” He started to chuckle, “I am sure he thought I was creeping. He was just very unique looking. I asked him if he had ever considered modelling, and he told me he hadn’t. I wanted to get him in one of my suits, so I started moulding him.

What I liked about him was his commitment. I don’t work with male models that are players. I prefer committed men. They take things seriously.

I like models that are honest with themselves. I pay attention to everything.

I want people to appreciate the person in the clothes. I educate my clients. I learn my models first, and then I make the clothing.

The one thing that I want is our community to start understanding different versions of fashion.”

I hope that after reading this feature, you have learned the finer details of what makes a great designer, and what makes a good quality suit. The hope is that the next time you are shopping for a new suit, you will go to someone who will deliver quality and a fair price. FIATI is happy to share his expertise with you and assist you in designing a suit that fits your body type, lifestyle and wallet.

BOOK YOUR FITTING with FIATI today at www.fiati.ca/about-us, and start enjoying the luxury of wearing a custommade suit.

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PAGE 22

FEATURE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

JAMIN LEWIS HINES AKA FAME HOLIDAY

“Gotta Believe, gotta believe in yourself, If you wanna live this life, You gotta believe in yourself.” Fame Holiday

The Massacre. This American hip-hop artist 50 Cent’s second album was released on March 3rd, 2005, by Shady Records, G-Unit Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. This album debuted and peaked at #1 on the US Billboard 200 selling 1.15 million copies in its first week. It is this album that connected myself to a 24-year-old rising hip-hop phenomenon.

I was speaking to Jamin Lewis Hines, more popularly known as Fame Holiday. I had been watching this young man for months. There was something about his style, his energy. I had taken the time to listen to some of his music. From the high energy on his song, “Bring it Back,” to the Afro-Caribbean vibes on “Tonight,” the baby making vibes of the song “Intoxicated,” and his songs that were written to represent the struggle, Fame continues to show the world that not only is he the hottest artist on the rise, he is also the most versatile.

One could say that Fame’s music is an original mix of hip-hop and RnB; that is if you are looking at his music on a surface level. If you really listen to his music, and move past the catchy hooks, you will hear the profound message that resonates throughout his music. From his songs: “One more Time,” “No Way,” “Let’s Just Fly,” and “Gotta Believe,” any music lover will be able to find a song that they can bop their head to.

The say music can cross over generations, and after my interview with Fame, I now completely understand what that means. We had just learned that we both loved 50 Cent’s Album Massacre. When he told me he discovered it at the age of six, I had to chuckle to myself. I was about 22 when the Massacre came out, and I found it hilarious that we both loved an album, and we were generations apart.

“Most artists are trying to sell people a dream, I just want to be myself. I don’t have to be fake.”

I really enjoyed speaking to Fame. He was gracious, and well mannered. You could tell he had been raised well.

“I was born in Etobicoke, lived in Scarborough, and moved to Mississauga at six years old,” Fame began. My mom is mixed (white, black, Jamaican), and my Dad is from Barbados. My mom had me at sixteen years old. We grew up together. I won’t say it was hard, but I wouldn’t say it was easy either, just different. My little sister and I used to compete against each other during talent shows we would do at home. My mom would never say that one of us won over the other. It was always a tie.

It got to the point that my mom would have me performing for guests. She

saw something in me, and she wanted the world to see.”

Fame continued on in his musical pursuits. When 50 Cent’s Massacre came out, he told me that it changed his life.

“Even at that age, I related to his passion. 50 Cent inspired me to write my music. Music became a way for me to vent. It was like talking about my feelings.

I wanted to feel that. I wanted to feel that Superman. When I was fourteen years old, I dropped my first song on YouTube. “Green Goblin.” I knew I had something, so I uploaded my music on any website that would allow me to upload.”

“The name Fame Holiday; where did it come from?” I inquired.

“I went through several names,” Fame tells me, “JL, JK, Young Fame. I wanted to find a name that suited my personality, my vibe. One of the older heads told me, don’t force your name, your name will find you.

I released my first freestyle at fourteen years old. Facebook Group reached out to me (Team Holiday), you can change your name and be a part of us. I like what they were doing. I changed my name to Fame Holiday.

Once I did that the name stuck. People would come up to me and be like, “Your Fame from Facebook!” When the group fell apart. I stuck with it. It made sense, it felt right, and so I stuck with it.”

“Sometimes it can come quick, sometimes it can take long.”

Fame started high school, and he kept releasing music. One thing that he did not do is let his music get ahead of school. He went to school and practiced his music whenever he had a chance.

The shift in his life happened when he went to his cousin’s house one day.

“My cousin’s name is Romeo Wilson. He is a little older than me, but he invited me over one day to hear my music. He asked me to drop a ting, so I did. He must have liked what I heard, because he called his friends to tell them, wow this kid has skills!

This was the birth of the Other Side of Toronto. We represent all of the talent outside of Toronto. We want people to know that they can represent their own city.”

going.

“I had to figure out how to market myself more. How do I diversify? I had to sit down and brainstorm. It was a lot of trial and error. It was the best year to connect to my fan base. I had a lot of challenges last year, but I kept going.

I started a YouTube Channel. I want people to feel like they are on this journey with me. I’m that odd person in the bunch. I am not what people expect. I go against it. I want to be an example, be dedicated to what I do. Keep your vision; people won’t see your vision. You have to show it to them.

This took me to my next, and latest project “Take me Away,” directed by Trey Timeless. I also have merchandise that I will be releasing in February. The theme is “Black Lives Matter, Now and Forever,” Half of the proceeds from all merchandise sold will be donated to the organization Stolen from Africa. Giving back to my community is important.”

At the end of our interview, Fame shared a special moment with me. “I met my dad for the first time when I was 22 years old. I didn’t know I was Bajan until I met him. I am thankful to have him in my life.

When the opportunity was presented, I could have made a decision to be angry, or give him an opportunity, and get to know him.

I took the mature route, and it has been history ever since. Our relationship has grown. He is my dude.”

I must say; this young man has a future. He is passionate, dedicated, and hopeful for the future. You can find his song “Take me Away,” on all major platforms.

The song was born from generations of people struggling for a voice, for Fame, he knows that together we are stronger.

I had taken the time to listen to his music, so when he told me that he had older people connect to his music, I understood.

“They respect that I don’t give up, regardless of what I am doing I don’t quit.

It is almost like they are living vicariously through me.”

Fame’s rise has taught him a lot about changes, so when the pandemic hit, he had to adjust to the way the world was

Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News

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PAGE 26

FOOD

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

BLACK HISTORY

OF JAMAICAN ACKEE & SALTFISH The food of the slaves and the poor NOEL CUNNINGHAM noel@carib101.com

CULINARY EXPERT

To kick start my black history month food series let’s take a look at how Ghana and Canada created the tasty and popular Jamaican ackee and saltfish.

This month my aim is to share a taste of the Caribbean food history and how these foods helped to shape our culture and diet.

Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica as well as a component of the national dish: – ackee and saltfish (codfish). Although ackee is not indigenous to Jamaica, it has remarkable historic associations. Originally, it was imported to the island from West Africa. The ackee fruit is a native of West Africa and was brought to Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean in the 1800s.

The name Ackee was derived from the West African word Akye fufo. In West Africa and many other parts of the world, ackee is not consumed as much as it is in Jamaica. Saltfish on the other hand was being shipped to Jamaica in exchange for rum. This resulted in saltfish becoming part of the national dish for Jamaicans and rum becoming the traditional drink for Newfoundlanders.

Saltfish was once widely regarded as poor people’s food.

During the days of slavery, sugar plantation owners in the Caribbean imported saltfish to feed their slaves as it was a very cheap source of protein. For many it was their only source of protein.

And when slavery was abolished, saltfish still remained the cheapest available protein for ex-slaves with no money. The indentured labourers, who were imported from India and China to replace the slaves, also embraced salt fish into their diets. For Indians, the blandness of rice and dahl is greatly improved by a piece of fried salt fish on the side. For all these poor people, salt fish was the only protein they could afford. And of course, it did not need refrigeration, in those days a high-priced luxury.

Ackee and saltfish is a favorite of many and can be served as breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. What

makes this dish original and surprising is how well these two very different ingredients combine to create a meal that is both subtle and bold. Ackee has a soft texture and delicate nutty taste, neutral enough to absorb the flavor of whatever it is cooked with; this tempers the sharp, bright, saltiness and firm, dry texture of saltfish. The addition of Scotch bonnet pepper, garlic, thyme, green peppers, onions, and scallion gives the dish life. Here is your chance to give this dish a try for black history month.

Ingredients • 8 ounces salted cod • 2 tbsp. canola or vegetable oil • 2 tbsp. diced yellow onion • 1/2 Scotch bonnet pepper, stemmed, seeded, and minced • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1 small tomato, cored and diced • 1 scallion, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, chopped • 1 18–20-ounce can ackee • Salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions 1. Rinse salt cod under cold running water until any salt on its surface is washed away. Transfer to a medium bowl and cover with fresh water. Soak at room temperature for 1 hour or cover and refrigerate overnight. Drain salt cod, discard soaking water, transfer fish to a small saucepan, and cover with fresh water. Bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat and cook until fish flakes easily when prodded with a fork, about 20 minutes. Once the salt cod is cooked, drain and flake fish into ½” to 1” pieces, discarding any bones and silvery membranes. Set aside.

2. In a frying pan, heat oil over medium heat until hot then add all the seasonings and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the flaked salt cod and cook, stirring occasionally, until fish is heated through, about 3 minutes, then add ackee, stir gently to incorporate, try not to over-mix which can cause the ackee to become mushy, and cook until the ackee is heated through, for an additional 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with your side of choice.

FOOD

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PAGE 27

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“I was a fan of Suya Spot meals and recently I reconnected with my best friend there. We both arrived to pick food and were surprised to learn we live in the same city but have not seen each other for ages. Thanks to Suya Spot for bringing us together. Now we named it as our reunion spot” Unknown

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“This restaurant is clearly one of the best restaurants in the region. Every time I come to this place I am incredibly satisfied. They keep their high standard service and the highest level of dishes they give. You definitely will enjoy this restaurant. Highly recommended.”

William Lowry, customer of Suya Spot, Scarborough

Suya Spot believes in consistent quality and flavor and showcases new items on their menu so customers don’t get bored.

The assorted meat suya with the fried yams and puff puff (deep-fried dough) has an amazing flavor. The pepper sauce is super spicy, but you will be obsessed with it. They also have the special Ghanaian Kenkey shake which is a popular gluten-free probiotic drink with fermented and steamed corn dumplings.

Dufferin St

Spot is to take customers to the streets of Africa where local vendors are selling suya with fried plantain and yam in their small food kiosk. The hard work and dedication of Mike and the team truly paid off during the 2020 pandemic. They saw the spirit of togetherness from the neighborhood. All loyal customers were ordering food from them online regularly and recommending their services to others.

Mike also provided nutritious meals to frontline healthcare workers, social services staff, and Torontonians facing food insecurity.

Bo va ird

2016 with the help of his crew and the founder of Suya Spot, Taiwo Ajala. Commonly known as Canada’s number one African BBQ, Suya Spot’s first location was in HRISHIKESH North York and currently, it has four locaDAS GUPTA tions across Canada. Suya, a meat skewer, hdg@carib101.com is marinated for 24 hours in a rub called Tankora. Then the meat is grilled over an CULINARY REPORTER open flame, chopped into thin strips and served with jollof rice and salad.

Initially, Mike found food lovers were not familiar with the authenticity of Mike Marfo, owner of the Suya Spot, Scarborough location was a big fan of African cuisine. The community assumed fast food since childhood. His mother ob- the foods would all be deep fried, highly served his desire for processed foods and spiced and no nutritional value. Mike exbegan to prepare all his favorite foods at plained to all his team members about home one day with the African flavors. the history of African local dishes and The delicious cuisine gave him a feeling their nutritional values. Therefore, all emof well-being and well-directed him into ployees needed to explain to the customhomemade comfort foods. Since then, ers that the foods are more flavorful than Mike was interested in introducing Afri- spicy. Suya Spot always marinates the can flavors to the community. He started dishes with seasonings and slowly cooks them, so the 10:02:18 customers taste the differ4th_January 31st _Self location care_Caribbeanin news-2nd.pdf 1 2021-02-01 AM the Suya2021_January Spot, Scarborough ence of African BBQ. The motto of Suya

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HEALTH

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 29

Like Sherlock Holmes, doctors need to be good detectives W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES COMMON SENSE HEALTH

A 57-year-old woman, receiving physiotherapy for an injured ankle, suddenly suffered a seizure, became unconscious, and was rushed to Emergency. The obvious diagnosis; a sudden stroke, but as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the English doctor and writer who created the fictional private detective, Sherlock Holmes, wrote, “There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.”

A report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that Doyle was right. Doctors must sometimes think like Sherlock Holmes. The ultimate diagnosis was not a stroke. Rather, a complication from the triple A disease, abdominal aortic

aneurysm (AAA).

It’s a problem that doesn’t receive much press. But it killed Albert Einstein, the famous scientist, Lucille Ball, the TV star, and the actor George C Scott. Unless diagnosed early, before it ruptures, AAA is an efficient assassin.

The aorta is the main artery that delivers blood from the heart to the entire body. It’s about the size of a garden hose and after leaving the heart; it extends to the neck a short distance, then down the back of the abdomen.

During the last 60 years, the risk of AAA has tripled. This is in part due to improved diagnostic methods and an aging population. It’s also more common in males than females, and about 5% of men over age 65 have some degree of aortic aneurysm.

Increased blood pressure is a major risk factor for AAA. It’s also more likely to develop in smokers and those suffering from chronic lung disease. But AAA can result from atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) that gradually weakens the arterial wall and is a major cause of heart at-

tack which ends the lives of so many North Americans.

An aortic aneurysm may be without symptoms until rupture occurs in which case the hemorrhage is so sudden and severe that death is speedy. But today many aneurysms are diagnosed during other diagnostic abdominal procedures. This provides significant time to decide how these herniations are best treated, particularly since the majority of aneurysms expand at a very slow rate.

Since major surgery is involved to remove an aneurysm, it’s prudent to monitor them every six to twelve months by abdominal ultrasound, CT scans, and MRIs to detect changes in dimensions.

In the final analysis, the decision depends on the size of the aneurysm. Surgery is normally advised when the aneurysm measures 5 to 5.5 centimeters as this is when they’re more likely to rupture. In some cases, a surgical stent is placed inside the aneurysm to decrease the risk of rupturing. Rather than using an abdominal incision, the stent is inserted through the femoral artery in the groin and then guid-

How women can stay physically and mentally fit in uncertain times The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of women across the country.

Some are on the frontlines of the crisis, others have lost their jobs and others still are working from home while taking care of their children.

Regardless of how the pandemic has affected your life, it’s important to be aware that ongoing stress can take a toll on your health. This can result in a loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, weight gain, fre­ quent headaches, problems with digestion and more.

In these uncertain and unsettling times, here’s a look at what you can do to take control of your physical and mental well-being.

ADOPT HEALTHY HABITS Whether you’re 17 or 70, there are steps you can take to improve your physical and mental health. Here are some habits you can adopt that’ll serve you well during the pandemic and long after it’s over.

• Get some fresh air every day (preferably some­ where you can connect with nature)

• Exercise for at least 150 minutes per week (dancing, running, weight training, etc.)

• Limit your consumption of coffee, alcohol and tobacco products • Reach out to a professional if you notice a decline in your mental health • Keep in touch with friends and family (opt for phone and video calls rather than text messages and emails) • Eat a healthy, balanced diet (although the occasional treat is good for morale) • Make time for relaxing activities every day (meditate, listen to music, read, etc.)

• Avoid spending too much time watching the news or scrolling through social media • Create an evening routine to help you sleep (start by putting away your devices at least 30 minutes before bed) TAKE CHECKUPS SERIOUSLY Regardless of your age, it’s important to attend follow-up appointments after any treatment or surgery. In addition, be sure to keep up with the screening tests recommended for a woman your age. This might include a mammogram, pap test,

bone density test or fecal immunochemical test (to look for signs of colon cancer). Your family doctor might also advise that you get vaccinated against certain illnesses such as shingles, influenza and human papillomavirus.

CONTACT SPECIALISTS AS NEEDED If you experience pain or discomfort, don’t hesitate to seek treatment. Reach out to the right health-care professional, and schedule a consultation before the situation deteriorates. Remember that mental health ailments are as important to treat as physical ones.

By adopting healthy habits, taking check­ ups seriously and con­ tac­ting specialists as needed, you’ll help mitigate the potential health consequences of living in turbulent times.

ed up and into the weakened aortic wall.

This operation is more serious than having an appendix removal so surgical expertise is vital. It’s the old story that practice makes perfect, whether a plumber or a surgeon.

For instance, in one study for aneurysms repaired by a vascular surgeon in a university hospital, the mortality rate was 2.2%. But in hospitals where surgeons were performing fewer cases and were less experienced, the mortality rate was 5.5%.

Remember the common GiffordJones recommendation. If you are told surgeon X is the best for the operation and that surgeon has the personality of Dracula, don’t look elsewhere. It’s the hands that do the surgery, not the personality.

The story of the patient with the injured ankle had a happy ending. She was discharged in nine days. It reminds doctors that 30% of AAA has neurological signs, not pain or other symptoms. Like Sherlock Holmes, doctors need to be good detectives.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

What every kid should know about hiccups

WHAT CAUSES THEM There’s a layer of muscle under your lungs called the diaphragm. When you breathe in, it stretches your lungs so they can fill up with air. When you breathe out, the diaphragm relaxes and air flows out of your mouth and nose.

An irritated diaphragm is what causes hiccups. Some things that can irritate it are eating or drinking too fast and feeling nervous or excited. Sudden changes in temperature and an upset tummy can do it too.

WHY WE HAVE THEM We don’t know why people get hiccups — they serve no real purpose! However, some scientists think it’s possible that our evolutionary ancestors found hiccups useful in some way, and that we’ve simply inherited our jerky diaphragms. Tadpoles have a hiccup reflex, which helps keep their lungs safe until they become air-breathing adults. So, our hiccups might be left over from our amphibian relatives.

How to make your own slime What’s squishy, squelchy and super fun to play with? Slime, of course! Here’s a recipe so you can make your own at home. Just be sure to ask a grown-up for help.

Hiccups can be funny, goofy or frustrating.

But have you ever wondered what makes you hiccup or why you get them at all? Here’s what you should know about hiccups.

Hiccups are an involuntary jerking of the diaphragm, which makes you take in air really fast. This speeding air then hits your voice box, which makes your vocal cords close and causes you to make a “hic” sound.

PAGE 31

Another theory about why people have hiccups is that they may help protect the lungs of babies while they’re still growing in the womb (all babies hiccup before they’re born). A further possibility is that hiccups help strengthen breathing muscles after the baby is born.

HOW TO CURE THEM There are many stories about how to get rid of hiccups. Putting sugar under your tongue, holding your breath and counting to 10, and drinking from the wrong side of a cup are just some of the so-called cures. However, scientific studies that compared the different methods found that none of them really work.

No one knows for sure why people get hiccups, and there isn’t really a way to cure them. But there’s no need to worry. In most cases, hiccups go away on their own within a few minutes.

INGREDIENTS • 1/4 teaspoon borax powder • 1/2 cup hot water • 1/2 cup water • 1/2 cup school glue • Food colouring • Glitter and/or sequins (optional) DIRECTIONS 1. In a bowl, combine mix it with your hands. Lots of knea1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup of school ding will help you create the perfect glue. Stir until the mixture is uniform. slime.

2. Add the food colouring as well as any glitter or sequins you want to use. Stir 5. After you’re done playing with it, store your slime in an airtight container. thoroughly.

3. In a bowl or measuring cup, add the borax to the 1/2 cup of hot water to make liquid borax. Mix thoroughly. (A few particles floating in the mixture is OK.) 4. Slowly add the liquid borax to PRO TIP the bowl with the glue mixture.

If you get slime stuck on your clothes Stir continuously. The slime will or hair, use vinegar to instantly dissolve it. start to form almost immediately. Once it’s well-combined,

LIFE

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 33

Life at the speed of thought and innovation Socrates, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Plato, Thales, and so many great Philosophers whose works and intellectual produce are still considered relevant today, existed before Christ was born, which underpins the limit of ‘religion and spirituality’ in man’s ability to critically think, and proffer practical solutions to his daily life problems. I have always believed that spirituality is not against reasoning. Our world has advanced not only because of financial resources but also because of an intellectual resource.

One of the most relevant skills in our world today is problem-solving, which I fondly refer to as “Thinking Skill.” The ability to critically think through a problem and proffer practical, workable solutions. The next new frontiers of our world will not be people who blindly accept popular views or generally accepted ideas, but rather, those who are not intellectually lazy to put in the time and effort to find relevant facts, collect data and through that extrapolates to a logical and rational conclusion.

People who are not afraid to question the ‘Truth’, not for the sake of proofing their ingenuity, but rather because they re-

DANIEL COLE

daniel@carib101.com

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Have you ever wondered why the Dark Ages were called Dark? It’s because there wasn’t much scientific, cultural or human development or advancement during that era if there were any at all; man’s state of existence was primitive. In the 1500s, people ascribed all events they didn’t understand to God. Why did the crops fail? God did it. Why did we have an earthquake? God did it. What holds the planets in place? God. But as man became more enlightened, we began the search for a more scientific understanding physics, chemistry, biology, and so forth.

Man’s ability to think, in my opinion, is the greatest gift God gave to mankind.

fuse to be held back by the result of somebody else’s thinking. And this is true of Albert Einstein; the world has believed the Isaac Newton law of gravitational pull for hundreds of years before Einstein proofs him wrong. Jim Collins wrote, “The best students are those who never believe their professors.”

In fact, for almost three decades, I have always believed Charles Darwin postulated the evolution theory, well, I was wrong, Darwin popularized the theory of evolution by natural selection, but the roots of the theory came from Greek philosophy. The idea dates back to centuries before Darwin. Three natural philosophers of the ancient world worked on the idea; they are Anaximander (c. 610 BC – c. 546 BC), Empedocles (495 BC – 435 BC) and Lucretius (99 BC – 55 BC). Bruce Calvert was right, “Believing is easier than thinking. Hence so many more believers than thinkers.”

Today, with enough data to proof and scientific evidence available, we now believe the Earth to be spherical. However, in the nineteenth century, during the Middle Ages, certain Scholars have always believed

that the Earth was flat. The world is moving at the speed of thought and innovation.

What informs your view about life? In a time where Google seems to have an answer to every question, we should ask ourselves, are we still thinking or we are unconsciously outsourcing it?

Take a thoughtful consideration of the things you’ve believed. Have you been indoctrinated to living life the way you’re living it? I am not suggesting taking a Nihilistic view of life, but stay curious, and stay informed. In the words of John Maxwell, “As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to become. Take action on your behaviour.

Too many people want to feel, then take action. This never works.”

Thinking is a skill. We all need to be intentional about engaging in it. Remember, “The true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self.” Albert Einstein

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PAGE 34

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Once again, God had placed another angel in my life; reliving my past trauma SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

How setting goals and being committed leads to success

BY MAKAYLA B. 12 YEARS OLD TC JUNIOR CONTRIBUTOR “It’s not about what it is. It’s about what it can become.” Dr.Seuss Success. What is it? Is it the act of accomplishing goals or doing what someone asks of you correctly?

There are many different meanings of what success is and it is different for everyone. It can be achieving something as small as finishing a craft or project, or reading 100 books within roughly two months.

One of my goals is to finish reading one entire book in a week, every single week. This is something I enjoy and is something I am more than capable of doing. Goals, like finishing a project within a time span of one to two months are usually some of the shortterm goals that I have made and accomplished. In order to be successful every day I usually try and do something to work towards my goal and try to get as close to accomplishing what I want in whatever time I have.

I think that to be successful you need to be committed to accomplishing your goals. Being successful and being committed are connected due to the fact that being committed means to be dedicated to something you are doing, and in order to be successful you need to stay committed in order to achieve your goals and become successful in life.

Usually when I set my goals, I try and make sure that it is something I have the ability to achieve because if it isn’t, then I will have a hard time reaching that goal and it will take an exceedingly long time to accomplish those goals.

So that is it. Set goals, stay committed, and you will be successful.

EMPOWERING OUR YOUNG MINDS OF TOMORROW TORONTO CARIBBEAN NEWS INC.

HUMAN SPECIALIST

I heard the chatter and murmurs of the women before I even realized that I was awake. I forced open my eyes and saw women starting to roll up their mats. I didn’t move for a minute. I squeezed my eyes closed and hoped that when I opened them again, I would open them to familiar sights: my closet full of clothes, my dog, and my uncle’s paintings on the wall. The ever-increasing sounds in the background made it harder for my internal fantasy to play out.

I slowly opened my eyes and sat up. Most of the women had begun their rising ritual. I looked to my right, and I could see the line-up for the showers starting again. There were the sounds of pots and pans clanging in the kitchen. It was my first morning in prison. I realized that I would be learning everything on the fly.

“Ouch!” As I rolled off the mat, I felt a pain shoot up my right hip. I had to admit, the mat they had given me to sleep on was better than the paper I had slept on

when I was in holding. I slowly rolled up my mat and went to place it where the others were. I noticed that more of the women were taking me in this morning. I think it was because in the light of day, they actually recognized that there was a newbie in their midst. I had no idea what they were thinking, but I knew what I was thinking. I wanted to disappear.

I went to the back room to find Andrea. When I got to her bunk, she was not there. “Are you looking for Andrea?” I heard a soft voice ask behind me. I turned around to see a beautiful, lighter skinned, woman with a gentle smile. She was looking at me curiously.

“Yes,” I replied. “I am looking for Andrea. Do you know where she is?”

“Andrea had to head off to work.

I saw you yesterday and wanted to come and say hi to you. My name is Angie? You are Simone right?”

As she stretched out her hand to shake mine, I couldn’t deny the fact that I was thrilled to be speaking with someone else who spoke English.

“Yes! It is nice to meet you Angie.

So, what is the morning ritual like around here?”

“Well,” she began. “You are off to a good start. Did you put back your mat?”

I nodded my head. I was slowly taking Angie in. She seemed very nice. I noticed that she had short dreads, a round

face, alluring round eyes, and full pouty lips. As she spoke, I wondered how such a beautiful girl had ended up here.

“So, if you have any questions, let me know okay.” I had missed everything that she had said. “Thanks Angie. I appreciate your help.”

“Go ahead and get dressed. You can use my bunk to change if you want to.”

She pulled aside a sheer drape for the bunk directly across from Andrea’s. I wondered why I had not seen Angie last night, but I didn’t think that this was the time to ask questions.

I stood in the bathroom line, cleaned myself up, and went back to the bunk to get dressed. When I got there, Angie was sitting waiting for me.

“I can give you some privacy if you need. Andrea told me to check on you and keep you company until she came back.

Yesterday I saw you standing around, but I didn’t want to overwhelm you. Where are you from Simone?”

“I am from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. How about you Angie?”

“Me! I am from Baltimore. I have been here for four years now. Hopefully getting out in two.”

As Angie began to tell me her story, I couldn’t help but think that once again, God had placed another angel in my life.

Even in my despair, somehow I still seemed to be protected.

Information puts you in formation Mercury Retrograde is here GARCIA AKUA

garcia@carib101.com

COSMIC CORNER

Happy Mercury Retrograde cosmic family! Yes, I said happy! We need to stop following all the mainstream hype that retrogrades are bad. Retrogrades give us an opportunity to slow down, reflect, reassess and readjust. We have just transitioned not only into a new year but into brand new energies. Yes, the natural inclination is New Year, New Me, New Goals etc. However, we are in new times and the old way of thinking needs to be upgraded. Mercury Retrograde has now entered the chat…

On January 30th, Mercury entered its first retrograde phase of the year in the sign of Aquarius. Mercury as we have discussed before, is the ruler of communication, thoughts, technology and travel.

Aquarius is the last air sign of the zodiac, its traits are highly intellectual, innovative energy, it influences social groups but can be detached at times and is unique/eccentric in nature. Ruled by Uranus it also promotes freedom, liberation and rebellious energy.

Aquarius is known as the knowledge bear-

er, as it shares knowledge for healing and the advancement of the collective.

As the first retrograde of the year, the universe is telling us we need to upgrade our thinking. Everyone was saying we were getting superpowers on December 21st but it was a shift from earth element energies to air. We have shifted from an earth, material focus into the mental, thought process. We were in the earth element for the last 200 years and what did we reap?

In the quest of living off the land, we have now exploited the land and each other. The quest to a happy life left many slaves to the said life that was supposed to make them happy. We have more and more people becoming depressed and anxious as it becomes harder to cope with this reality we have created. It’s time for a reality check!!

We have to do things differently but in order to act differently, we need to think differently. We are shaping a brand new time. The current system continues to fall as we shift into this new time. I get it.

The uncertainty can be scary, but if we give into fear, we are not thinking clearly. Mercury is saying to slow down.

Now is time to check in with yourself. Are you the same after surviving 2020? How has your perspective changed?

How do you consume your information?

Is it beneficial? How are you sharing your unique light? Where are you playing small and why? I know it sounds cliche but one

must truly know themselves, especially in these times. If you do not have knowledge or information about yourself, someone else’s information will put you In Formation! As we enter this new time, new energy, we all have a say in the way we want our lives to go. We can be moved by fear or move in alignment of the truth of who we uniquely are.

Stop letting other people tell you that retrogrades are bad. It’s the collective fear that manifests the confusion. Yes, there will be delays in traveling, especially in the air, hence we see a travel ban in effect in Canada and other countries around the world. Technology may have issues, make sure you backup your data. As Mercury was in the shadow phase of retrograde, we saw how social groups on reddit allegedly beat the boys on wall street, using technology to do so.

This time can be confusing or liberating, depending on how we use this transit. We can get clear on your purpose to better articulate thoughts to the right action. Or we can continue to consume other people’s information that puts us in their formation. The choice is always ours and the universe is always conspiring on our behalf.

As an Aquarius Rising I choose freedom, I can’t help but use my voice and light to help others. I encourage you to find your light and choose that. Happy Mercury Retrograde!

LIFE

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 35

Now, our children have to deal with anti-black racist comments during their online classes PAUL JUNOR

paul@carib101.com

YOUTH EDUCATION

“I was upset. How did this happen? How are we going to prevent this from happening again?” (Concerned Parent) Now that many school boards in Ontario have been involved in remote learning, it has exposed inherent dangers with respect to invasion of privacy.

Principal Alison Gaymes San Vincent of LC 4 Virtual School in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) was shocked when his intermediate Zoom meeting was bombed on Thursday, December 18th, 2020. On December 19th, 2020, a letter was sent to parents, which stated, “Unfortunately, at the end of the presentation, unacceptable and hateful

language appeared in the chat.” The main purpose of the meeting was to provide mental health support for students as they transition from elementary schools to higher schools.

The attack on the Zoom meeting resulted in anti-black racist comments being made. As a result of this, an investigation has been launched to find out who was behind it. The letter sent by the principal to students and parents notes, “All TDSB students and staff will continue to receive education on the importance of anti-racist policies and practices in our schools and the role we all must play in eliminating all forms of hate and discrimination from our schools and society. On behalf of LC4 Virtual Schools, we acknowledge and regret the harm these incidents caused to students.”

In another development, Peel District School Board (PDSB) revealed on January 14th, 2021 that a virtual Grade 4 virtual French classroom at Chris Hadfield Public School was hacked two times with disturbing pornographic images and kidnapping threats as reported by City News.

PDSB confirmed the incidents to 680 News on January 14th, 2021 with an email, which states, “We can confirm that a class at Chris Hadfield Public School experienced two occasions where at least one unknown individual entered the online classroom without having access to the classroom link. We take all matters of online safety, student privacy and digital citizenship very seriously.” As a result of this incident, students have been transferred to another virtual classroom to continue their online learning.

City News revealed on January 14th, 2021 the contents of two emails that were sent by the French teacher to the parents and guardians. The first email sent on Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 states, “I’ m sure many of you are aware already, but I just wanted to let you know just in case your child hasn’t mentioned it to you. Today French class someone outside of the school and as far as we know, outside of our school board was able to enter the Google classroom and start sharing some disturbing images.”

In a subsequent email the next day (Wednesday, January 13th, 2021)

the teacher revealed, “As I’ m sure you are aware, there was another instance of hacking today in our class. This time it was only audio and seemed to be a repeat. I asked students to leave our meet right away and reset our class code immediately. I had a long discussion with the principal and she is letting the superintendent know about both instances and IT will also be consulted to see if we can figure out why this is happening. In the meantime, it may be a good idea for students to change their passwords for their school email address just in case. I will reiterate with students the importance of never sharing passwords and class meet codes with people outside our class.”

It is unfortunate that the hacking of this virtual classroom has brought to the public arena the issue of digital safety and Internet privacy. The four major teachers’ unions and other education stakeholders have raised concerns on many occasions about this issue. The emotional, psychological and mental effects on this Grade 4 virtual class from being exposed to X-rated pornographic images is real.

Pharaoh Aye; the powerful bull, the one whose future is sparkling DAVE RANKIN dave@carib101.com

AFRICAN HISTORY

In our previous entry, we took the time to highlight the life of The Great Royal Wife, “She who lives her for Amun”, Ankhesenamun. Swept up in a power struggle, the senior princess was first married at the age of thirteen to her father Ankhenaten.

Her second marriage was to her halfbrother, the famed ‘King Tut.’ This week, we will introduce her third husband, Aye also spelt ‘Ay’, who ruled as nesew for four years beginning around 1324 BCE.

Aye’s origins begin in the Upper Kemetian city of Akhim, possibly part of the nobleman Yuya’s bloodline. Therefore, making him a direct descendant of

the beautiful Queen Tiye. There is also very little research that suggests Aye as the father of Nefertiti. I read an article that supposedly confirms this through an inscription in his KV23 or WV23 tomb.

As a reference WV actually stands for Western Valley of the Kings. However, I have yet to read the inscription myself.

Aye’s military and political career was quite long. It began serving under Amenhotep the 3rd and transitioned to Akhenaten. It was under Akhenaten that his rise to prominence began with titles such as “Head of the Companions of the King,” and “Fan-bearer on the Right Side of the King.” He and Akhenaten were so close that a copy of the Hymn to Aten can be found in his tomb. As soon as Akhenaten passed, Aye resumed his position under Tutankhamun. As “Regent of the King,” it is widely known that the reforms that took place under nesew Tutankhamun were his ideas. Which would make sense since ‘King Tut’ was only ten when took the throne.

After the passing of the ‘boy

king’ Kemet was left with no one to rule the throne. Aye had learned about the famous “Hittite Letters” we mentioned last week, where Ankhesenamun had been corresponding with the Hittite king Suppiluliumas. The Queen had asked to marry one of his sons. Agreeing to this, Suppiluliumas sent his son Zennanza, who died on arrival. There is where Aye is said to have married the young Queen.

Prior to the marriage, Aye had found out that Horemheb, a Commander in the Army had been named “Deputy of the Two Lands” a direct successor to the throne. This proved as an incentive to outmaneuver a bid for the throne from Horemheb. Aye was somewhere in his 60s when he finally ascended to the throne. One could only imagine the depths of achievement he gained especially when he was given title names “The powerful bull, the one whose future is sparkling,” and “The one whose strength is powerful.”

Shortly after their marriage, Ankhesenamun disappears from the re-

cords of history. All we have are the records of her survivor; nesew Aye and the records show us this.

During his four-year reign, Aye was able to finally complete the transition to the old religious ways. His relationship with the clergy allowed for the trust to make this happen. There are also reports of him erecting a mortuary temple at Medinet Habu and other structures around the nation.

Nesew Aye passed around his 70s due to old age and was buried in tomb KV23 or WV23 located in the Valley of the Kings. The tomb was first discovered in 1816 by the Italian archeologist Giovanni Battista Belzoni and later excavated by Howard Carter in 1908. There is a report I came across that states the same artisans produced the tombs of Aye and Tutankhamun. Both tombs contain inscriptions in the burial chamber.

Aye’s sarcophagus was once displayed in the Egyptian Museum and has since been returned back to his tomb.

PAGE 36

LIFE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Netflix’s Bridgeton spotlights childhood trauma RALPH BRYANT ralph@carib101.com

BLACK MINDS MATTER Like so many men across the world, I have been subjected to the digital torture of watching the soapy utopian (or dystopian) Shondaland Netlfix’s show, Bridgeton. In a desperate attempt to keep the peace, I agreed, accepting that at a minimum, Shonda Rimes, one of my sheroes, would keep me entertained. Yet, I was unprepared for how wonderful the show was. It’s like dancing through tubes of ice creams, colourful, delicious, and, in the right hands, sexy. It is a luscious viewing of love and lascivious, not to mention a dynamic interpretation of race, class and power. I was unprepared for how much the show’s emotional core focused on mental illness.

Sparing you the details of the various juicy subplots, the main story centers on two people who fall in love, Daphne Bridgeton, the fairest of all the white princesses-to-be, and Simon, the Duke of Hastings, a nouveau riche nobleman with daddy issues. In a world where marriages are more a mating dance and familial business arrangement, Daphne and Simon managed to find a rare commodity, true love. All of which was threatened as the depths of Simon’s psychological trauma is revealed, not to mention the loss of his mother at childbirth. These may be the only things I ever have in common with a Duke.

Like Simon, I also had a parent who was as good as dead to me (my absent sperm donor), and a mother who was barely able to be present (my overmatch teenage mother). Simon lived his whole life feeling inadequate, despite having all the access to wealth and privilege; and that still was not enough. He falls into a destructive and detached lifestyle and trauma prevents him from receiving the unconditional love he has yearned for his entire life.

There is no difference between Simon struggling inside Hastings House and brothers struggling with the same issues in the projects. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, there was a whole lost generation of black fathers during the boom of post-Vietnam’s heroin addicts, and later the base heads on crack, that devastated our community. The men today are still dealing with those shackles around their necks that are often preventing them from achieving the lives they deserve.

Like many people, I have foolishly lived my life in the same way as Simon.

Confident on the surface, yet emotionally closed off. My father abandoned me, so I have perpetually felt alone. I was sexually assaulted; so I was damaged. I was from the hood, so I was truly incapable of reaching for the stars, even though we have evidence of people achieving beyond their trauma all the time.

Simon is also an important reminder that wealth does not prevent someone from suffering with mental illness. Nor does fame, or success. In far too many cases, our mental health challenges are often heightened as we rise higher than we believe we are worthy. We see this exemplified in legends like Donny Hathaway and Phyllis Hyman, to more recent celebrities like Whitney Houston. Currently, we are still enthralled with what is happening with Kanye West, who many people believe to have never recovered from the death of his mother, Donda West.

We often talk about the recovery timeline, whether it’s trauma or addiction, as if it is a simple fix. As if we could simply snap our fingers and let years melt away into oblivion. Rich or poor, the result is often the same. Except for love; we often believe that love cures all; the love of our family, our friends. We hope that love will be enough to want to make the changes we must, to find healing. Love never is; at least not the external kind. It’s the moment when you are able to see yourself worthy of love - in Simon’s case; he had Daphne to show him he was worthy. But it wouldn’t matter if he didn’t also believe it as well.

I look forward to finding out how the show deals with mental illness in upcoming seasons.

How to stop yelling at your kids After a bad night’s sleep or a stressful day, it doesn’t take much for parents to lose their temper. While yelling can feel good in the moment, you’ll likely feel guilty afterward if you raise your voice in front of your kids. Here are a few tips to help you keep your composure.

are expected to behave can reduce the likelihood of losing your temper. Additionally, consistent punishments will ensure your children know the con­se­quences for breaking the rules. It’s also important that both parents be on the same page about the rules in order for them to be effective.

Reassess your responsibilities Do you often feel overwhelmed by your hectic schedule? If you’re getting pulled in a million different directions, it’s normal to lose your cool. Parents often feel like they have to put other people’s needs before their own, but this can leave them overworked and make them quick to have an outburst.

Learn to reign in your reactions In the heat of the moment, shouting can feel like an automatic response. However, there are several things you can do to dissipate your anger before it boils over:

Consider whether you can redistribute chores at home or cut back on the tasks that demand your attention. Additionally, be sure to make time to recharge each week with activities you enjoy.

Be consistent with discipline Laying out clear rules about how your kids

• Verbalize your emotions by saying “I’m very upset and I want to scream” • Take several deep breaths and count to 10 slowly in your head • Go to another room or step outside for a few minutes to calm down Finally, don’t hesitate to use babysitting services, parent helplines and other resources that can give you the support and advice you need to foster a more positive home life for you and your kids.

Wednesday,February 3, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

Is Lockdown Making you Sick?

TARA MYSHRALL tara@carib101.com

COMPELLED TO CHANGE Many of us have pandemic fatigue. We are sick and tired of being locked down in our homes. The main issues are that we are feeling lonely, idle, uncertain and this is affecting our physical and mental health.

As we’re forced to stay indoors we are being faced with loneliness, a feeling that is extremely detrimental to the human spirit. We are a connected creative species and we need to be around other humans to connect to their energy, relate and empathize. Even introverts need to be around people - the only difference is that they go within when they need to recover and rejuvenate.

This feeling of loneliness comes after being forced to withdraw from those we love and many of us have gone many months without seeing important members of our families and friends. Research shows that chronic loneliness can have a significant impact on your overall health. Some studies even suggest there’s a link between loneliness and dementia.

Although we are being forced to stay inside there seems to be idle energy and a lack of movement that is also impacting many of those around us. Many are missing the days of the gym, yoga, boot camp classes and different martial arts because it was a way to release tension from not only the exercise but also the social interaction as this has been removed. Many of us are struggling to replace it with something that serves in the same way. With this lack of movement, a new lethargic way sets in making us feel sluggish and coupled with the shortened days and the lack of sunshine leave us all feeling quite depleted.

There’s a real sense of uncertainty in our future that compounds the loneliness. As we ride the second wave of COVID the uncertainly may drive feelings of scarcity as we don’t know what our relationships, schooling, extra-curricular activities and careers hold for us.

My mission has been to surf these waves of uncertainty and leverage this time to go within and get creative with the future I will have after COVID. It is downright difficult at times to stay positive and stay in the state of abundance and possibilities. My friends, even though it is hard, even though I feel lonely, idle and uncertain, I have trust that we will come out of this better as a collective.

What helps me is to get back to the simple joys in life. Walking in the woods and the warm sun basking in my face, the sound of the trees bustling in the wind, the crunch of the crisp snow under my boots.

Paying attention to these simple joys really helps me to stay in the present moment.

Getting out and walking and moving with our friends, colleagues, loved ones we may maintain social distancing but we still get to interact with them. This is what our soul needs right now, as it can be very difficult to connect in the same way over a zoom call. That movement will help remind us, that walk will release those endorphins and help us feel somewhat normal again.

Lastly, if you are struggling with loneliness, what about giving back in some way? When you feel uncertain, give back to those around you and help with their needs. This in turn will leave you feeling more fulfilled. Make an appointment and give blood, deliver a meal, pick up a senior’s medication or shovel your neighbour’s driveway. This contribution will help switch you from an uncertain scarcity mindset to one of abundance.

When our spiritual, mental and physical health is at risk, we must decide what story we will play in our minds. We must decide how we will pull through this, and then put all of our energy into making that outcome our reality.

How to improve your bedtime routine and get more sleep •

•

weekends and vacations.

Dim the lights. Limit your exposure to bright light in the evening, as it can suppress your body’s production of melatonin. You should also put away all electronic devices at least 30 minutes before you turn in for the night.

Calm your mind. Engage in relaxing activities for at least 30 minutes before bed to help you wind down. Reading, meditating, stretching and listening to soothing music can put you in the right frame of mind for sleep.

Don’t toss and turn. If you haven’t fallen asleep after 20 minutes, get up so you don’t associate the frustration of sleeplessness with being in bed. Do something relaxing in low light to get your mind off sleep, then return to bed when you feel drowsy.

Sleep is an essential component of your physical and mental health, but for many people it can be hard to fall or stay asleep. Often, the problem lies in your evening habits, which can have a significant impact on the quality of your sleep. Here are some tips to help you establish a healthy bedtime routine.

•

•

In addition to a consistent bedtime routine, a comfortable environment is crucial to a rest­ful night. Quality bedding, a high-performance mattress and pillow, blackout curtains and a white noise machine can all contribute to better sleep.

Pick a time. You should be getting at least seven hours of sleep every night, so allot that time into your daily schedule. Once you settle on a time to wake up and go to bed, stick to it, even on

LIFE

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PAGE 38

HOME

How to use architectural lighting to revamp your home Architectural lighting enhances the structure of a space to create a cohesive experience. It’s something to be considered during every building and renovation project, and the earlier the better. This is because this type of lighting is integrated directly into the space, blending in with the features of your home. Here are some ways architectural lighting is used.

TO EMPHASIZE CEILINGS If you have architectural ceilings, rather than installing pot lights consider adopting lighting that blends into the mill­

work and moulding. This could work well on a beamed, coffered, coved or tray ceiling.

TO SET THE MOOD WITH WALL WASH LIGHTING Wall washing is a technique that directs light at a wall to draw attention to the smooth, vertical surface. The fixtures can be recessed in the ceiling or mounted to it. If you prefer to create an uplighting effect, install the lights on the floor.

TO LIGHT YOUR WAY Illuminate stairways by adding pot lights on both sides of the bottom step, either on the lowest riser or the wall. Alternatively, add lighting within each riser.

Uplighting can create height and drama, and when used to illuminate staircases, it also focuses light where it’s most needed.

There are many other possibilities when it comes to architectural lighting, from il­ luminating the underside of kitchen counters and cabinets, to lighting up built-in shelving and other custom features. For the best possible results, make sure to speak with an architect before you start your renovation or building project.

4 fun themes for a gender-neutral nursery Whether you’re waiting on a delivery-room surprise or you simply want to avoid out­ dated stereotypes, here are some theme ideas for a gender-neutral nursery.

1. UNDER THE SEA Decorate this baby’s room with shells, coral and starfish collected on past beach excursions. For your child’s nursery companions, consider inviting in fish, seahorses, sea tur­ tles, jellyfish, sharks and whales. A painted mural or decals on the walls will bring this ocean theme to life.

2. NIGHT SKY Paint the walls or ceiling midnight blue and stick on a sky’s worth of stars. Add other celestial features like planets, comets and the moon. Look for star-shaped lamps, rugs, mir­ rors and other de­ corative items to complete the look.

3. WOODLAND Pair natural wood furniture with de­ co­rative elements inspired by the fo­ rest. Bears, foxes, deer, hedge­hogs and rabbits will be

right at home in this nursery. Incorpo­ rating nature-inspired wallpaper and bed­ ding is sure to add a woodsy touch.

4. ADVENTURE TRAVEL Globes, maps, compasses, hot air balloons and vintage airplanes fit in perfectly with this theme. Select artwork from around the world and incorporate some of your own travel photos to add a personal touch.

Regardless of what theme you choose for your baby’s room, make sure to select nontoxic paint and products. In addition, help bolster your local economy by opting for locally made furniture, toys, knickknacks and artwork.

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Converting alcove tubs into walk-in showers: pros and cons Do you want to get rid of your alcove bathtub and replace it with a walk-in shower? If so, here are the advantages and drawbacks.

PROS A walk-in shower is an attractive feature that adds a modern focal point to any bath­ room. In addition, stand-alone showers are highly functional. Getting in and out of one is easy when compared to getting in and out of a bathtub. Plus, most walk-in showers can accommodate a bench, making it easy to shave, wash and relax. Lastly, a walk-in shower, especially a large one, can be a major attraction to buyers when it’s time to sell your home.

in a neighbourhood that typically attracts young families.

When weighing the pros and cons of converting your tub into a shower, you should also consider whether you intend to live in your house for the next 10 or more years. If so, do what suits your lifestyle and makes you happy. Re-sale values are important but so is enjoying yourself and your home.

CONS One of the biggest drawbacks of converting a tub into a shower is the cost. You’ll spend more or less money depending on the materials you use, the accessories you install and the overall condition of your bathroom.

In addition, if it’s the only bathtub in your home, removing it may lo­wer the resale value of your house. However, this might not be an issue if you don’t live

5 DIY painting projects to refresh your home It’s amazing what a little paint can do.

Here are five fun and easy projects that can have a major impact on the look and feel of your home.

1. Garage. Elevate your home’s curb ap­ peal by giving the garage doors a facelift. Choose a colour that matches the trim and shutters and complements the house’s other exterior features.

2. Dresser. If you have a dingy old set of drawers or want to give a boring room a boost, consider refurbishing your wooden dresser. Use a punchy colour if you want to create interest, but opt for a neutral if you prefer the piece blend in.

3. Front door. First impressions matter. Make a great one by choosing a bright, welcoming colour for your front door.

4. Cabinets. In a kitchen, painting

the cabinets can completely redefine the look and feel of the space. When choosing a colour, consider the hues in your back­splash, countertop, floor and walls.

5. Shelves. If you have built-in shelves, consider painting them a bold colour to draw attention to your collections, photographs and books.

To find paint and brushes, visit your lo­ cal hardware and paint stores. For bigger painting projects in your home, consider hiring a professional.

FUN

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News

PAGE 39

WEEK OF JANUARY 31 TO FEBRUARY 6, 2021

ARIES

The luckiest signs this week: SAGITTARIUS, CAPRICORN AND AQUARIUS

Negotiating with people you love is always a delicate matter. You’ll be much more vulnerable if you let your emotions get in­volved. Try to take a step back so you can see the situation clearly.

TAURUS

Professional success is just around the corner. You’ll man­age to gather a large group of people for a particular event, and you’ll benefit from great discounts that’ll allow you to in crease your profits.

PUZZLE NO. 728 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 728

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.

Your passions will be awake­ned, your mind will be filled with great ideas and all eyes will be on you. You’ll be enthu­siastically applauded, and you’ll receive a medal or other type of award.

CANCER

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 find yourself spending most of your time at home or in the company of family mem­bers. Someone might ask you to take on some pretty hefty responsibilities.

LEO

Bargaining during your next shopping trip could be advanta­ geous. You only need to raise your voice slightly to be heard and respected. Don’t hesitate to express your emotions out loud.

PUZZLE NO. 18 Johnny ____ 43. Last 48. Feel a dull pain 49. Public brawl 50. Flight record 51. Lads 52. Evergreen plants 53. Chair support DOWN

ACROSS

1. Likewise 4. Word of lament 8. Sharp hit 12. Chinese sauce 13. Not early 14. Auto for hire 15. Climbing flower

17. Give out 18. Rules to follow 19. Elegant 21. Nonsupporters 24. Aim 25. Run into 26. Conduct, as business 30. Ruin

31. Get up 32. Hem’s partner 33. Decoration 35. Mediocre 36. Auto’s path 37. Eye ailments 38. Piles 41. Take legal action 42. Country singer

1. Beast of burden 2. Pronto!

3. Hue 4. Singing voices 5. Race units 6. Had lunch 7. Shore 8. Swipes 9. Flees 10. Pivot point 11. Compassion 16. Prepare for print 20. Highway section 21. Bullets, e.g.

22. Far’s mate 23. Gull-like bird 24. Pulverize 26. Government funds locale 27. Sailor’s

greeting 28. Brief follower 29. Duos 31. Berserk 34. Bows 35. Flower stalk 37. Hearts, clubs, etc.

38. Wound cover 39. Tex-Mex treat 40. Pale 41. Stash

44. Fib 45. Everything 46. Finger’s opposite 47. Easter ____ hunt

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 18

VIRGO

Exercise is great for your health when done in moderation. You’ll find people with whom you can enjoy an inspirational activity and dis­ cuss your spirituality.

LIBRA

This will be a hectic week, es­pecially if you have young chil­dren or an active social life. As for matters of the heart, you might experience a lot of pas­sion while on a trip or romantic getaway.

SCORPIO

The harsh winter weather could start to dampen your spirits.

Fortunately, now’s an excellent time to fire up your imagination and create a work of art.

SAGITTARIUS

You’ll find yourself surroun ded by many people in situations that might be quite stressful or scary at times. Some down time before the end of the week will be crucial to recharge your batteries.

CAPRICORN

You’ll likely be given some very important new responsibilities at work.

You’ll be greatly ap­preciated, and people will go out of their way to do business with you because you’re some­one who can be trusted.

AQUARIUS

You’ll feel the desire to travel and explore. You’ll be inspired by new adventures, each one more fantastic than the last. You might consider signing up for a training course.

PISCES

Your emotions might run high if you experience a turbulent fi­ nancial situation. Fortunately, a solution will quickly present it­self and you’ll soon be back on the path to stability and success.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

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PAGE 42

REAL ESTATE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Toronto’s bizarre real estate market JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com

REAL ESTATE PRO

Real estate took an unusual route in 2020.

The ravaging pandemic has resulted in major job losses. Over 600,000 homeowners took mortgage deferrals. We expect the market to collapse. Last year, a typical home in January that was sold for eight hundred thousand dollars would now sell for about one million dollars. The average home price has gone up by at least 20%. What factors caused the market to take a different trajectory and, based on those factors, what will be the outcome for this year?

Real estate is a commodity that is controlled by supply and demand. With the pandemic, many homeowners held back on selling their homes and that created scarcity.

Traditionally, about 10% of the supply is from seniors who would have sold their homes and moved into retirement homes. With the outbreak and bad publicity for retirement homes, many seniors looked for alternatives.

Reverse mortgages allowed these homeowners to withdraw equity from their homes

without having to pay a monthly mortgage until sometime into the future. With this, many seniors were able to keep their homes.

The supply chain began to dribble. The few homes that went up for sale got multiple offers. Buyers began to outbid each other, and the price kept spiraling upward.

Mortgage deferrals was another clever idea that saved the day. With six months of mortgage vacation, many homeowners who were on the brink of bankruptcy pulled through. During this time, the prices climbed substantially, and these homeowners built enough equity and were able to consolidate their debts into one mortgage. With interest rates as low as 1.8%, and by extending their amortization back to twenty-five or thirty years, they can afford to keep their home.

Some homeowners went the extra mile and used their equity to build a basement apartment, supplementing their income.

Despite COVID-19, the job market in GTA has remained resilient. Many employees such as bankers, IT technicians, mortgage brokers and government employees can work from home. Approximately 50,000 were able to social distance themselves in small towns where home prices are more affordable. Businesses such as restaurants began to offer home delivery and were able to stay afloat. The financial boost from the Federal and Provincial government such as rent relief for businesses was a welcome treat. Most of the job losses were related to tourism and the

entertainment industry. On the other hand, we saw job growth in other sectors such as home delivery.

New regulations on short term rentals, the pandemic, and an oversupply of newly built condos caused the condo market to take a dip that was short lived. With home prices going through the roof, first time buyers went for condos instead. In many instances, it was cheaper to invest in a mortgage than paying rent. With renewed appetite for condos, the market went up at the beginning of the new year and this trend is likely to continue.

The pandemic is not over, and the current lock down has created more scarcity.

For every home available for sale, there are about ten buyers. Toronto has become a real estate hot spot around the world. Once this phase is behind us, immigration will pick up.

Also, the number of returning citizens from around the world is increasing, adding more heat to the real estate pressure pot.

Benjamin Tal, the deputy chief economist for CIBC World bank, predicts that the real estate market will continue to grow.

“We’re seeing a situation where home ownership actually went up. Why? Because 25% of Canadians are telling us that they are considering buying another unit during this recession. Why? Because their job is still there, and their income is still there, and interest rates are in the basement. That’s an opportunity that they’ve been waiting for.” He mentioned

that “80% of jobs lost were in the service sector. Many of them were low-income and many of them were renters. So, the impact was on rent as opposed to home ownership.”

“We’ve seen a lot of anecdotal evidence since the summer that households are considering significant lifestyle changes by relocating to less-dense cities and neighborhoods,” according to Christopher Alexander, Executive Vice President and Regional Director of RE/MAX of Ontario-Atlantic Canada.

“This has sparked unprecedented sales this year in suburban and rural parts of Canada and we expect this trend to continue in 2021.”

RE/MAX Ontario predicts that home prices in the GTA will climb between 12% to 14%.

Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada mentioned that, “Despite the tragic impacts of the pandemic, our optimism in the strength of Canada’s housing market has always remained. While we have seen a significant shift in buyer preferences this year, we believe factors such as the supply issue, pent-up demand and historically lower interest rates will continue to fuel activity in 2021.”

Prices are not about to fall. Real estate is a precious commodity. It is predicted that in about seven years a detached home will cost about two million dollars, a semi-detached about around one and a half million and a town home, one million one hundred thousand dollars. The real estate market is indeed strange.

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PAGE 44

FINANCE

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

You can multiply your returns using leveraged investments fect.

CLEVE DeSOUZA cleve@carib101.com

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

One way to kick-start your 2021 portfolio is to consider using a leverage strategy.

Simply put, leverage means borrowing money in order to generate a higher rate of returns on investment. The most common example of a leveraged real estate investment is when you use a mortgage not only to acquire the property, but also to multiply the returns on the down payment you made.

Think of leverage like you are using a long stick to move a BIG BOULDER up a hill rather than trying to push it with your bare hands. The stick leverages your strength so you can do more with less. Essentially leverage creates a multiplying ef-

Here’s how leverage works with finances: When you bought your home, you most likely gave the bank a deposit of 15% to 20%. The bank financed the rest of your purchase price. If you did your homework and bought a home in the right neighbourhood, it’s worth more today than it was when you bought it. That means you leveraged the bank’s money to invest in your future. If you sold the house now, you could pay off your mortgage and pocket the difference between the selling price and what you owe the bank.

Say you paid cash for the house and it appreciated 5% each year. That 5% is your return on investment. However, had you leveraged the purchase you could have made more. With a 4 to1 leverage, your return on investment would be 20% to 25%.

But what if economic hardship hits and you bought a property that didn’t gain value? Ultimately the lender would take the property to recover the loan. The lender could charge you fees with no regard for

what this did to your finances. That’s why borrowing to invest requires careful consideration and risk management.

Real estate investing is not the only type of asset that allows leverage. You can also leverage to buy stocks or for Forex trading. You simply borrow money and then invest it to multiply your return. If you can borrow money without a down payment, then your returns are infinite, even though zero down loans are rare these days.

So, what stops most of us from getting access and exploiting leveraged investments? It is the lack of financial education and fear of the unknown. Consider this, though. Banks leverage your money every day. When you deposit money in the bank, the institution invests it. They pay you 0.05% (or less) interest while the bank makes 30% on its loans and investments.

As with any investment, do your homework to make sure you know what you’re getting into. Get the professional help you require and be smart with your hard-earned money. I can tell you not all professionals act in your best interest, so pick them wisely.

Income insurance by government benefit plans ANDREW STEWART andrew@carib101.com

FAMILY ADVISOR

Whether you are new to Canada or have been living here your entire life, it’s almost certain that most will not know or understand the inner working of all government benefit programs. These programs include the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). In the past, Canadians received social support mainly from churches and their own families. The Canadian State introduced many of its social programs and expanded existing ones after the Second World War.

Millions of Canadians contribute to and receive the benefits of social programs that affect an individual’s personal and financial situation. Today, the retirement income system in Canada comprises of three pillars. Together, the first two pillars are designed to ensure an adequate level of financial support through retirement years. The first pillar is about helping individuals reach a minimum level of income during retirement. This is provided through the social security benefits of OAS, the GIS and other supplements administered at the provincial level. The second pillar refers to the Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan (CPP/QPP), which provide retirement benefits to replace a portion of

an individual’s working income. The third pillar is intended to help you reach and supplement retirement income to a level of comfort that is beyond simply adequate.

These includes tax-assisted registered savings plans, such as Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) and employer-sponsored Registered Pension Plans (RPPs), as well as personal non-registered savings with no special tax incentives.

CPP – Canada Pension Plan The CPP, which came into effect January 1st, 1966, is a universal, mandatory program intended to provide contributors and their families with partial replacement of earnings in the case of retirement, disability or death. The CPP retirement pension is a monthly benefit that is designed to replace about one-third of the average person’s lifetime pre-retirement employment and/or self-employment earnings, up to a maximum amount. CPP contributions determine eligibility for a CPP benefit. Generally, the more someone earns and contributes to the CPP in the years before taking a retirement pension, the higher the benefit will be once that person becomes eligible for it.

The CPP provides the following types of benefits to Canadians: • Retirement benefits • Post-retirement benefits • Survivor benefits • Disability benefits • Children’s benefits • Death benefits

The standard age to start the pension is 65.

However, an individual can start receiving it as early as age 60 or as late as age 70. The pension will be reduced if taken early and will be increased if taken later.

OAS – Old Age Security

The OAS program is a federally funded social security program designed to augment the incomes of lower and middle-income Canadian residents. Benefits that fall within the OAS program include the OAS retirement pension; a monthly payment available to all Canadians who meet minimum residency requirements. A person does not need to have an employment history to qualify. The maximum OAS retirement pension payable in January 2020 was a taxable $613.53 per month.

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly non-taxable benefit which assists seniors age 65 and over who have low incomes. To be eligible to receive the GIS, an individual must be age 65 or older, be receiving the OAS retirement pension, meet certain income requirements and be a resident in Canada. The maximum monthly GIS benefit for a single individual is $916.38 for the first quarter of 2020.

The allowance and the allowance for the survivor provides an additional monthly source of income for qualifying low-income seniors between age 60 and age 64. The allowance supplements a couple’s low income where only one spouse is receiving the OAS retirement pension and helps to enhance their standard of living.

Currently, nearly one-third of all Canadian seniors rely exclusively on OAS benefits as their sole source of retirement income.

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PAGE 46

SPORTS

Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Conor McGregor’s UFC257 upset MARCEL MARIAK marcel@carib101.com

TC JUNIOR REPORTER

Everyone knows that combat sports can be unpredictable. At its core, fighting is mayhem: things rarely go to plan in the ring, and when they do, your opponent likely has an answer. Despite the melee, you can usually depend on the best and most famous fighters to be consistent in the octagon on most nights. UFC 257 was not that night.

UFC 257’s main event saw The Notorious Conor McGregor stepping into the ring with Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier. With the fight happening at UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, the fight only had an attendance of around 2,500 fans. Despite this, the event had an incredible virtual attendance of around 1.6 million pay-per-view buys! Fight fans from around the world were interested in seeing how a rematch

between Conor and Dustin would play out.

After finishing their last fight in less than two minutes with an emphatic knockout, McGregor, as well as many fans felt confident that he would once again be able to defeat Dustin. Unfortunately, his night would not go to plan, and Conor would instead be served with his first-ever defeat by KO. The fight

Walking into the octagon, Poirier looked strong and laser-focused on the fight. McGregor’s behaviour, on the other hand, was incredibly inconsistent with his past fights. Not only did he dispose of his usual, hype-creating trash talk, he simply looked awkward in general. His usually loose and controlled pre-fight movements were replaced with twitchiness and pacing around the ring. From before the first bell, it became clear that McGregor wasn’t ready for a war.

Once the fight started, McGregor adopted an awkward game plan which, for a short time, seemed to work in his favour. Instead of trying to finish the fight fast by engaging in quick, powerful striking exchanges, Conor opted to clinch up and wrestle Dustin against the cage. For the first round, while McGregor was still

fresh, the clinching strategy was working for him. He was consistently controlling Poirier against the cage and wearing him down with shoulder strikes. Unfortunately, his victory was brief as McGregor quickly became tired and his clinch-work loosened up.

Dustin Poirier took McGregor’s tiredness as an opportunity to start landing a series of devastating calf-kicks that severely wore down McGregor’s mobility.

By the middle of the second round, McGregor was in bad shape. He was gassed from the intense clinching, limping on his front leg, and Poirier was continuing to mount pressure. Finally, at 2:32 of the second round, it happened. Poirier backed Conor up to the cage and unloaded with a swift but precise barrage of strikes that put the Irishman onto the mat and ended the fight.

After the battle

Despite his dominant performance, Dustin Poirier was humble in his post-fight interview. He made sure to recognize McGregor’s skill as a fighter, “Conor took this result very professionally,” commented Poirier, “he’s a pro and there’s nothing but respect.” Dustin also mentioned that he wasn’t surprised with the result,

saying that he put a tremendous amount of work into preparing for the fight.

Conor also stuck around to be interviewed after the fight. He attributed his loss to a lack of activity in the octagon (the last time he fought was in January 2020 against Donald Cerrone). “It’s hard to overcome inactivity over long periods of time,” explained Conor, “I just wasn’t as comfortable as I needed to be. You don’t get away with being inactive in this business.”

What’s next?

After his win, Dustin Poirier looks like the best candidate to challenge for the UFC Lightweight championship. Poirier’s future looks bright; with a potential championship fight on the horizon, and a 1-1 score with McGregor, Dustin has some tough fights coming up in the next few years. As for McGregor, many worried that if he lost against Dustin, he would be retiring. Luckily, McGregor stated that he’ll be back in the octagon looking for a fight soon! While it’s uncertain who McGregor and Poirier will be fighting next, one thing is guaranteed: both of these modern gladiators will put on a show regardless of who stands across from them in the ring!