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“The Government of Canada is planning to use influencers for various campaigns to help connect Health Canada and PHAC messages to specific audiences within the Canadian population.” André Gagnon How do I start this? Hmmmm! Well, I guess I have to just start with the truth; once again my fellow Canadians, we are being duped by our
government, and the forces that are standing behind them. It is actually very frustrating watching this happen to the people in my country and my global community. What is being done around the world goes against every human right that we have as free-minded people, and it is being done without regard. This week I am going to break the psychology down for you, give you some examples, and provide you with proof that the people who we think have
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our best interest at heart do not. Do you know why you do what you do? Are you aware of the forces behind your actions? Do you get up and meditate each day because you know it’s good for you, or is it because of some type of external reward? There are many different reasons why people do things: some are motivated to act because of internal desires, but other times external rewards are the true motivators. Continued On Page 8
PAGE 2
FEATURE
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
SHAWNA CAIN Helping her community on their journey!
Photo Credit: Gabriel Lalgie “I’m on earth to speak life, which is whatever it is that rejuvenates, educates, renews, and restores. That’s what I really focus on when it comes to writing and the music. I always strive to put words in the music that are going to hit you multiple times. It’s going to really make you think.” Shawna Cain Emptiness. Brokenness. Instability. These are just a few feelings that singer/songwriter, Shawna Cain, encountered before her spiraling life took a turn for the better. Given the name Shawna in honour of her uncle Shawn who was tragically murdered before she was born, she is a living testament of the meaning of her name, “God is gracious.” At twenty-four years old, Shawna is the shining example of how changing the way you think can truly change your entire life. Raised in Brampton, Ontario by Jamaican and Guyanese parents, Shawna was blessed to have a well-balanced exposure to Caribbean culture. Her mother was a hairdresser working out of their basement while her father worked in the film industry, thus allowing her to be regularly interacting with new faces on a daily basis. Often hearing her mother sing as she did clients’ hair while also having an uncle who had achieved substantial succuss as a recording artist, it’s not too far-fetched that such a musical family could produce an award-winning talent. Through a music style that knows no boundaries, Shawna refers to herself as a creative expressive, something she describes as an all-around artist that conveys whatever it is that is impressed on her heart. Her original music is a fusion of R&B, trap, jazz and hip-hop with a message from above that’s guaranteed to move you. “My music style is not in a box in terms of what people can expect from me. It goes with the flow of what needs to be heard. You can always expect me to
put encouraging and real messages in my music,” she says. “I believe that I’m here to really be an expressive outlet of everything that I’ve experienced in my life. Everything in my life has impacted me and I’m just able to bring that outward through music and through words.” Her music is a force to be reckoned with and is ultimately paying off, as Shawna is the well-deserved recipient of a 2021 JUNO Award in the category of Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year for her 2020 EP The Way. She has released several videos for her songs off of that project, including: “I Am a Spirit,” “None Like You,” and “Look Back.” It’s almost hard to believe that such a decorated artist was initially hesitant to pursue a career in music. It was her pastor that gave her the push, believing that God had a plan for her voice. “I never aspired to be a singer but had always sung as a means of expressing myself. I never did so publicly, though,” she said. “But the first time I attended church after having heard God speak to me, I was talking with the pastor, and she believed that God wanted me to sing.” Though her faith and family dynamic today are strong, it wasn’t always a breeze for Shawna. Growing up, she suffered the trauma stemming from divorce between her parents and living between two homes. To cope with her imperfect home life, she fully immersed herself in an unstable relationship that had a rough ending. This internal conflict caused her to stray away from the church while constantly filling her empty soul with short-lived desires. In her teenage years, she heavily partied and grew a dependence on alcohol and smoking marijuana to temporarily fulfill her inadequacies. This downward spiral sparked a dangerous relationship with addiction, anxiety, and depression. From the outside, she was the life of the party. On the inside, she was starving for a
sense of belongingness and healing. In the midst of her debauchery, her wake-up call finally came through an interruption by a still small voice that said, “Let me heal you and show you who you really are.” “It was really something out of my hands. I had a moment where I went to a church service, and this was when I wasn’t in my right mind. I was feeling lost and broken and I didn’t really know who I was. I thought I could continue doing whatever it was that I was doing that was filling me momentarily. I got a word that basically said stop thinking about this, this and this, it was three things that I was actually thinking about at the time. That revealed to me that God really knows my thoughts. He knows me. And it’s not like I can choose what I want him to know. I can’t show him the good side and hide the bad side. It really showed me that my thoughts mattered and that was something I never really knew.” She continues. “I had an experience that really changed my life that I believe led me back to my roots and back to God. I discovered myself through the lens of the Bible. It was about being able to see myself from an outside point of view, and that’s what changed everything. I was used to looking at myself from what I saw at that moment, but being able to see myself through a third point of view? That’s what really drew me in.” As an artist, performing live is one of the most adrenaline-rushing parts of what comes with the career. From having a chance to share your songs with a mass crowd to meeting tons of people in person, all of the thrills were unprecedently cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shawna, however, chose to take the challenging isolated times in a positive light. “My heart goes out to everyone dealing with the heart aches and heart breaks of COVID. It has been a journey for me. It gave me that time to focus on the
EP and work with my family. With my dad being my manager and my younger sister working on the graphics, everyone was just putting in that work for the project. COVID also gave me time to breathe. It took me out of my routine and my comfort zone and showed me anything can happen at any time. We can’t really rely on what we call stable.” Shawna continues to live in her purpose; using her personal experiences to create a space of freedom, healing and encouragement through song writing. With a commitment to using her platform to speak inspirational, life-transforming messages, Shawna shares some powerful advice for the youth aspiring to pursue a career in music: “You should always know your reason why. Your reason why will determine what you do and what you don’t do. Every day we have choices, and there’s so many opportunities that will come… but you don’t have to take every opportunity presented to you. You have to know your why, because the wrong opportunity can be a distraction.” What can you expect next from Shawna Cain? Well, be prepared for new music coming at you from all ways! Aside from some reggae-inspired songs coming this summer, stay tuned for her new single, “Woke” dropping on June 18th with an accompanying music video!
Written by Janiece Campbell Toronto Caribbean News
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NEWS
PAGE 3
Thought you were travelling now that you are vaccinated; think again! SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
“We are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution. This is important, in part, to ensure that the health care provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan for proper recognition and management due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot.” Johnson & Johnson It has been made clear by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that reactions are to be expected after any COVID-19 vaccine, given that your body is working hard to build immunity. Unfortunately, there have been some dangerous reactions, like blood clotting, that have made people increasingly uneasy in recent weeks.
Special Note Most reported cases of blood clots have been in women under the age of 60 within three weeks of vaccination. “So, what does this have to do with travelling,” you might be asking. Well, a lot, especially if you are one of those individuals who have really wanted to spread your legs, visit some place different. This piece is meant to give readers food for thought. I want everyone reading this to know that you do have the right to what happens to your person. Enforce your rights by learning what is happening, and then adapting yourself to the situation. What we know is that there have been cases of blood clots occurring after receiving the vaccine. Enough so that on May 11th, 2021, Astra Zenaca was reportedly paused in the province of Ontario, Canada. According to Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr David Williams, “The decision had been made out of an abundance of caution because of increased instances of an extremely rare and potentially fatal blood clotting disorder, vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), linked to the shot, ”(Global News, May
11th, 2021). All right! Here is the part that is not fun. According to the National Blood Clot Alliance, an average of 274 people die from blood clots every day and 600,000 nonfatal blood clots occur every year. Now, for those who have been vaccinated, and those who are thinking about it, you might want to wait just a little bit longer before you board a plane. Air travel can increase this risk, because you are sitting for long periods of time with little room to move your legs. These are the ingredients needed to cause a particular type of blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Research is showing that at a certain altitude, you have a higher risk of complications, stroke, thrombosis or heart attack if you are susceptible to them. Blood clots occur when blood flow is slowed or stopped. Think about it. You are sitting still for extended periods of time. Naturally, this can affect blood circulation and lead to the development of blood clots. If you are thinking about flying more than four hours, this may put you at risk for DVT, and Pulmonary Embolism (PE), which is just another serious complication of blood clots that may be fatal in some cases.
My hope is that your next question is, what makes a person more susceptible to developing a blood clot. According to Dr Oz, “Things that put you at risk for blood clots include certain genetic clotting disorders, being immobilized because of surgery or injury, chronic diseases like heart failure and cancer, smoking and older age.” Ahh! You see. Now we are narrowing down who may have to put their travel plans on hold just for a bit longer. So, let’s just say you decide to travel anyways, how would you know if you were developing blood clots? If you develop pain, tenderness, swelling, warmth, and or redness in your legs during the flight, it might be signs of a blood clot. The other thing to look out for is the rapid onset of shortness of breath. This can be a sign that a clot has formed in, or travelled to, your lungs. As usual, I highly suggest you do your own research. This might be as simple as making an appointment to visit a trusted physician if you plan on travelling. Your health is your responsibility, so if you notice specific symptoms after vaccination, you should seek medical care.
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“Who can we trust?” Parents of black children launch trustee tracker • •
PAUL JUNOR
paul@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
The advocacy group, Parents of Black Children (PoBC) has worked tirelessly to support and advocate on behalf of the success of black students. Since it was formed in 2019, it has initiated several initiatives to tackle antiblack racism in Ontario schools. Many of these innovative projects can be seen at its website parentsofblackchildren.org. These include: United Parents (UP) Project, which is designed to support parents of black children as they navigate the education system. It consists of three core streams; capacity building workshops, educator systems navigator, and Black Parent Mentoring Program. They launched the first ever School Racism Reporting Tool in early 2021 in order to collect information and advocate for boards to formally collect data on incidents of anti-black racism. On Wednesday, May 20th PoBC announced the launch of its PoBC Trustee Tracker. Its website presents information about the important role of Trustees. According to Ontario Municipal and School Board Elections www.elections.ontarioschoolstrustees; • • • • •
Trustees champion equity in education Trustees hold themselves accountable for their conduct
The school trustee is a member of a team Trustees are responsible for establishing policy direction Trustees, as members of the board, are accountable to the province Trustees are accountable to their electorate School board trustees are community leaders
There is no doubt that there have been challenges in fulfilling item # 6. In this role, “Trustees work to ensure equity across their school board so that every student has the opportunity to succeed regardless of background, identity or personal circumstances. The role of school board trustee involves bringing the voice of everyone, including marginalized communities (e.g., Indigenous students, newcomers/immigrants, people coming from low socio-economic backgrounds etc.) to the board table.” In presenting its Ontario Trustee Tracker, PoBC states, “Over the last few years, we have seen trustees in school boards across Ontario demonstrate antiblack racism.” It references specific incidents, which have occurred. The first one involves former YRDSB’s trustee, Nancy Elgie who used the N-word to describe Charline Grant. This led to her subsequent resignation and a formal letter of apology. The second incident involved four HWDSB trustees who were alleged to have made racist comments against a former student trustee. The third incident involved OCDSB trustee Donna Blackburn who was formally disciplined by her board for using a racially insensitive remarks to a black teenager whom she confronted because he was not abiding by protocols regarding physical distancing. The fourth incident involved a former PDSB trustee who called McCrimmon Middle School in Brampton “McCriminal.” PoBC notes, “Unfortunately, school board trustees are elected at the municipal level, which sees very low voter turnout and few citizens being informed about the candidates.”
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Faded Living; Diversifying the Canadian cannabis industry through savoury dishes JANIECE CAMPBELL janiece@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
In October 2020, a policy brief released by the Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation and the University of Toronto that examined race and gender of executives and directors in the Canadian cannabis industry found that black and Indigenous people, as well as women, are very underrepresented in leadership positions across the board. It was found that cannabis industry leaders are primarily white (84%) and male (86%). Non-white industry leaders are in the minority (6% South Asian, 3% East and Southeast Asian, 2% Indigenous, 2% Arab, 1% Black, and 1% Latinx). Though the statistics seem bleak, there’s one black woman-owned education and events company on Canada’s west coast that is looking to make their mark on the industry through your taste buds! Necole Hines is the founder of Faded Living in Vancouver, British Columbia, a space she uses to combine her two passions, cooking and cannabis. “I started Faded Living to normalize cannabis use. On the educational side of things, I offer virtual cooking with cannabis workshops every month. One is “Intro to Cooking with Cannabis” for people who are brand new to the plant. I have another one which is called “Infuse Your Favourite Cooking Oils,” and it’s for people who might have taken the first course or already know a little bit about cooking with cannabis and want to know more about oils. Another thing that I also have is a podcast that comes out every Thursday; Faded Living & Friends. I started that to normalize things through conversation and to show that cannabis entrepreneurs are amazing and normal people.” A true food connoisseur, Necole used to reside in Calgary, Alberta and had her own Jamaican fusion food business called Wings & Tings. No stranger to incorporating low dosages of cannabis into her food, she often posts her mouth-watering, Caribbean-inspired, THC-infused recipes on Instagram, such as jerk vegetable chili, fried plantain, and scotch bonnet lemonade. She was also recently a panelist at the Womxn, Wellness and Cannabis Conference where she demonstrated how to make a delicious infused spicy guacamole with a refreshing CBD-infused mojito to wash it down. Necole’s on-and-off journey with cannabis spans over twenty-five years, though she became a medical cannabis patient six years ago. After a rough car accident, she chose to use cannabis for her pain management as opposed to prescribed pills. It was then she realized just how therapeutic the plant could be. Her favourite method of consuming? A good, old-fashioned joint. Though Necole says there are plenty of lowrisk ways to reap the benefits of marijuana. “Whether it was to keep me balanced, or to help me through a dramatic
time, or even just to think. It was a form of therapy for me,” she says. “When I smoke, my joints are all cannabis only and I don’t add any tobacco to it, so that for me is one way of doing things a little bit healthier. But the beauty about cannabis itself is that there are so many ways to consume the plant. So therefore, if smoking and vaping just aren’t your thing, you can actually use it on your skin! Let’s say pain is your issue, you can get cannabis-infused topical to use. You can also just have a beverage. The beauty of being in a legalized country is that there are a lot of products on the market that can allow you to incorporate cannabis into your life without the negative effects of smoking.” The racial gap in the cannabis industry is prevalent in Vancouver, as black people only account for about 1.2% of a population exceeding 2.5 million people. Though the lack of a black population can be the answer to why there aren’t as many black-owned cannabis businesses in the city, Necole believes that the barriers to starting a business and a lack of access to funding plays a major additional role. “This is an extremely expensive industry to get into. There are a lot of extra hurdles this industry has that others don’t. Opening a bank account in the cannabis industry is a huge hurdle. Although it’s legalized in Canada, a lot of big banks will not deal with you. And even when you do find a bank that will, some of them will charge you these large fees if you apply. I’ve heard banks charging upwards of $5.000 just to apply and that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get approved for the account either,” says Necole. She continues. “Everything is just way pricier, especially in Vancouver where to have a business license for a dispensary is a little more than $33,000 a year. Whereas in Calgary, it’s about $387 a year. Just to show that across the country, there’s a disparity in that. Another example is that if I was to open a liquor store here, it would be about $4,000 as opposed to the $33,000 for a cannabis storefront. If our people don’t have that capital or access to money in general, it makes it really hard for us to get in.” Though there’s a lot of work to be done in terms of inclusivity in order to level the playing field and to create opportunities for the underrepresented, the active industry is evolving every day. Necole’s wish is for the innovative plant to be completely destigmatised and for adults to begin introducing it into their lives in small ways. “We are very lucky to be the second country in the world to be entirely legalized yet it still feels like there’s so much stigma behind it. They have yet to show a study that somebody has died from cannabis, yet with alcohol we’ve seen so many statistics. I would like to normalize adult cannabis use to the point that it’s just as easy for you to see somebody light up a joint or have a THC-infused beverage like you would see somebody drinking a glass of wine.” You can follow @FadedLiving on Instagram and head to fadedliving.com to check out the two upcoming workshops they have next weekend; Infuse Your Favourite Cooking Oil and Cooking with Cannabis & Terpenes: Pinene Edition!
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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
How vaccine incentives are being used to influence the Moveable Middle SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Continued From Page 1 Well, there’s a lot of research that’s been done to discover what will motivate those who are now being classed as vaccine hesitant. The entities that are marketing this vaccine are no longer going after those who are adamantly opposed to it, no; they are going for those people who are what they call the movable middle. It has been admitted that a lot of time was spent last year testing different messages to encourage people to get a vaccine. Some of these messages were tested out during last fall’s flu season. It was discovered that messages that focus on a vaccine being reserved for you or waiting for you did better than others. Exclusivity is always a motivator to have something or do something. There is a theory that emerged during the 1940’s and 1950’s called the incentive theory. It was built on the earlier drive theories established by psychologists such as Clark Hull. The incentive theory proposes that people are pulled toward behaviours that lead to rewards, and pushed away from actions that might lead to negative consequences. In many cases, external rewards can motivate you to do things that you might otherwise avoid, such as chores, work, and other tasks you find unpleasant. Let’s take a look around the world, and see how governments, businesses, and organizations have used the incentive theory to convince their citizens to get one of the COVID-19 vaccines. Some of these incentives include: tax breaks, free airline tickets, and even million of dollars in lotteries. Denmark On Wednesday, the Denmark government announced it was partnering with a private company to develop a digital passport, which would allow travellers to bypass some restrictions by showing a trusted proof of inoculation. According to the Associated Press report, Acting Finance Minister Morten Boedskov stated that the program would be ready in several months and the government would discuss its use for non-travel reasons at a later point. Germany A German discount supermarket chain Lidl has allocated $200 to employees who complete their coronavirus vaccination regimen. Brazil According to Bloomberg News, JBS, a Brazilian meatpacking company and its subsidiary, Pilgrim Pride, promised to pay each worker at their U.S. operations $100 to get vaccinated. Hong Kong Property developers and philanthropic foundations in Hong Kong have teamed up to offer a one-bedroom apartment worth $1.4 million, as well as 20 cash prizes equal to $12,890, in a lottery open only to vacci-
nated residents. $60,000 in airline tickets are being given away to city residents and airport employees who have been fully inoculated by the end of September. At an HSBC bank in Hong Kong, employees are being offered a day off work per vaccine dose.
Philippines The Straits Times reported that the mayor of a small town in the Ilocos Sur province is planning to raffle off a plot of land with a house in December, when he expects vaccines to be available for his community. Elsewhere in the country malls serving as vaccination sites are offering free parking and banana fritters. United States of America Instacart, Trader Joe’s, Amtrak, Aldi and Dollar General are among grocery and other companies in the United States offering various bonuses for employees who get vaccinated. Most recently, Instacart stated that they will provide a bonus of $25 to workers who get inoculated. Dollar General, among others, will offer employees up to four hours of paid time to get both shots. Canada Canada has taken a two-pronged approach with their incentives. Not only are they offering many of the incentives that you see popping up in the United States (Krispy Kreme giveaways, lotteries, pizza, etc.), they are also finding ways to engage people in promoting the vaccine. The Government of Canada is putting on one promotional incentive that I found. The application process challenges you to design, develop and carry out a community-driven information campaign to promote: • •
Confidence in vaccination against COVID-19 Continued compliance with public health measures
They want people to reach communities that are underserved or have been more greatly impacted by the pandemic and provide them with messaging that is: • • •
Targeted Informed Culturally sensitive
These communities may include, but are not limited to: • • • • • • • •
Indigenous peoples Low-income Canadians People with disabilities Black and other racialized Canadians People with mental health challenges Immigrants and non-permanent residents People living in rural or remote communities Other underserved or especially hardhit communities
The campaigns should show an understanding of their target audiences with respect to: • • • •
Vaccine intentions Barriers to vaccination The effects and impacts of COVID-19 Approaches and supports needed to reduce or help overcome barriers
A grand prizewinner will be selected and awarded a $100,000 grant to reinvest in support of the health of their community. There are some ethical issues that come with some of these incentive programs that need to be exposed and explored. These programs do not address “persistent information gaps” that have proved a barrier for inoculation among populations, particularly marginalized groups, that have questions about the science or where to get the doses. Another huge issue is one that cannot be understated; this goes completely against standard one of the Nuremberg Code of 1947. The war crimes tribunal at Nuremberg laid down the ten standards, and they are considered the ethical way for experiments to be carried out on humans worldwide.
subject is absolutely essential.
Special Note Before we go over standard one, I want you to be aware of one very important aspect of this situation; we are all involved in an experiment, and the moment you accept one of the incentives being pushed at you, you then give your consent to be part of this experiment. On the National Institute of Health’s website, there is a section that goes through the ten standards, but I really want you to have a full understanding of this one.
This means that the person involved should have legal capacity to give consent; should be so situated as to be able to exercise free power of choice, without the intervention of any element of force, fraud, deceit, duress, overreaching, or other ulterior form of constraint or coercion; and should have sufficient knowledge and comprehension of the elements of the subject matter involved, as to enable him to make an understanding and enlightened decision. This latter element requires that, before the acceptance of an affirmative decision by the experimental subject, there should be made known to him the nature, duration, and purpose of the experiment; the method and means by which it is to be conducted; all inconveniences and hazards reasonably to be expected; and the effects upon his health or person, which may possibly come from his participation in the experiment. The duty and responsibility for ascertaining the quality of the consent rests upon each individual who initiates, directs or engages in the experiment. It is a personal duty and responsibility, which may not be delegated to another with impunity. I want to close by saying this; if this were something that was truly good for us, they would not need to use psychological tricks, incentives, or any other external motivations for us to take it.
1. The voluntary consent of the human
Really think about it.
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Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News
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You could be controlled by a prick and a passport; be aware MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
If there was an analogy for what is happening universally now it would be “The devil is dangling a carrot in front of a whole lot of donkeys.” Imagine for a moment most of this world before March of 2020 enjoying the freedom ordained by God to mankind and all of a sudden, a few men and women who think that there are superior to the rest of the people cooked up a scheme to enslave the masses by causing a problem and now telling the masses “We have a solution, if you will only obey
us.” Just think about this. From Europe to the Caribbean Asia and some parts of Africa the song being sung by politicians is “Take this injection,” and the chorus is “If you want things to go back to normal.” Speaking of the word normal, experts are telling the masses that taking the vaccine would not exempt them from wearing the mask, social distancing, nor getting the so-called virus, if this is so, does wearing a mask and social distancing sound normal? The bible says of false prophets, “By their fruits you shall know them,” meaning action speaks far louder than words. Busloads of police officers were transported in Australia to shut down the “No more lockdown protest.” How do a bus full of police officers’ social distance? Can anyone explain? Just ask Rebel News. Hidden agendas seem to be the order of the day these days. Earlier
on this year, when certain leaders were questioned on “Injection passports” they answered, “No we will not go that route,” this was followed by “We are looking into it.” and now it is in effect. Recently 550 front line workers were ushered in to watch a game in Canada. The criteria; they were all injected and showed their vaccine passes. No injection, no game, the new trend. This pattern of false medical discrimination is of grave concern. Universally, can anyone describe what will be next? Maybe no injection: no food,
no health care, no bus ride, no driver’s license, no housing, where does this end? When the government is allowed to have total control of citizens’ medical information, and social life, you do not have to be educated to realize that this means the end of freedom, period! In this global situation right now, thieves whose sole purpose is to strip us of every inch of our dignity are holding the masses hostage. These thieves have no intentions of returning what they have stolen ever.
Helping our children and youth fall in love with reading; the Love of Literature Book Club PAUL JUNOR
paul@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
There are many great things that black kids can look forward to in the summer of 2021 as students take a break from school. Fortunately, the Love of Literature Book Club will provide a virtual summer reading program for black students aged 7-18 that will keep them busy. According to its website loveofliteraturebookclub.ca, this black-focused book club’s purpose is simply to foster a love of black literature. It states, “It is bringing black students together and helping them celebrate their identity through literature.” Its vision is to create, ”A World where all children feel included, represented and celebrated in books.” Its mission, “Our book club exists to help black children and youth fall in love with reading through Africentric-founded
books.” It was founded by Danielle Norris, who worked for six years as a communications specialist for the Peel District School Board (PDSB) and currently works as the Manager of Marketing and Communication for Retired Teachers of Ontario. She graduated from York University with Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2005 and acquired a Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communications from Sheridan College in 2006. Her team consists of six individuals and there are five members on her board,where she serves as founder, facilitator,executive director for Canada’s only non-profit book club for black youths. I was able to Interview Danielle Norris on Tuesday, May 25th and she provided me with lots of information about her motivations, passions and interests. She is purposeful and intentional in using black literature as a vehicle to empower, elevate and inspire young minds to see themselves positively reflected through images that foster black excellence and result in the development of academic, life and social skills.
She told me that the book club was started October 2017 with eight girls, then subsequently eight boys as a year round reading club in Brampton. She mentioned that prior to starting the reading club, she did research to find out if there were any s that was targeted to black kids and discovered that there were none. She has used the Brampton library facilities and Knowledge Book Store in order to host the reading clubs. Her guiding principles are: • • •
•
•
All books are focused on black characters and black stores. We give priority to black-owned bookstores and books by black authors. We are here to educate, inspire and empower black youth to celebrate their identity through books that represent them. We create a safe space for readers to discuss books, explore themes and celebrate their identity through Africentric literature, self-esteem, awareness and pride. We review and discuss Africentric books to help improve literacy skills,
build self-confidence and instil a positive sense of identity in black children and youth. Danielle writes on her website,”Love of literature is the perfect blend of my three favourite things, reading, youth and celebrating black culture. I love talking about books with the kids and wish I had a book club like this when I was growing up.” As a parent of two boys and one girl, she knows personally the value of fostering a love of reading.The book club is currently recruiting for their summer virtual reading program. The cost is $125 for children between 7 and 10 and $150 for those between 11 to 18. It will be a six-week program which starts on July 10th and ends on August 14th. The deadline for registering is Tuesday, June 1st. Any parent/guardian or caregiver who ins interested can check the website:www.loveofliteraturebookclub.ca or Facebook: facebook.com/loveofliterature.bookclub Instagram: instagram.com/loveofliterature.booclu.com Phone: 647-224-2230.
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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
The Right to Kill; Canadian Doctors are fighting for their right not to kill SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Doctors across Canada are demanding the right to refuse in assisting their patients with their euthanasia requests. They do not want to be obligated to perform euthanasia if their patients request it. They want to be able to determine for themselves how, or if they want to cooperate with a patient’s wish to die, and if necessary they want to refuse. Right now, many provinces in Canada have policies that can force doctors to violate their conscience by indirectly participating in medical assistance in dying (MAiD). This terminology is new to me, so I decided to do a little more research on the actions that are being taken against this. What I learned is that certain forms of killing are legal in Canada, and for the last thirteen to fourteen years, it is commonplace in many countries around the world. Netherlands became the first country to legalize euthanasia. Since then, the practice has become legal in Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and in five U.S states (Washington, Oregon, Vermont, Montana, and New Mexico. In France, things are a little different. Doctors are permitted to “limit or stop any treatment that is not useful, is disproportionate or has no other object than to artificially prolong life, and to use pain-killing drugs that might as a side effect, shorten life. In Germany, doctors are
able to provide patients with the drugs for a medicinal suicide but are not permitted to take any action in the actual suicide. Currently, the policy in Ontario is that medical professionals who oppose MAiD have to provide an “effective referral” when a patient requests euthanasia. So, they might not be killing the patient directly, they still have to help the patient find somebody that will. There is a similar policy in Manitoba stating that medical professionals need to give people resources with information about MAiD (such as a telephone number or a website). This means that medical professionals who are against killing those who they have sworn to care for, are being compelled to help people find doctors that will kill them. These are the new radical changes Bill C-7 has brought to Canada’s laws around euthanasia, and Canadians are fighting for the government to recognize the conscience rights of medical professionals in Canada. Due to Bill C-7, MAiD by advanced request is allowed, so people who are not competent enough to consent can now have medical assistance in dying. Bill C-7 also expanded euthanasia to people with mental illness (with an eighteen month reprieve for the federal government to develop rules), so within eighteen months, doctors may be asked to euthanize people who are physically fine but mentally ill. James Schadenberg and the entire CitizenGO Team are in support of MP Kelly Block, the sponsor of Bill C-268: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (intimidation of health care professionals) cited as the Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act. Some of the amendments
have been noted below: 2 The portion of section 241.1 of the Criminal Code before the first definition is replaced by the following: Definitions 241.1 The following definitions apply in this section and in sections 241.2 to 241.5. 3 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 241.4: Offence and punishment 241.5 (1) Every person who, for the purpose of compelling a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or other health care professional to take part, directly or indirectly, in the provision of medical assistance in dying, uses violence or threats of violence, coercion or any other form of intimidation, is guilty of: • (a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or • (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction. Offence and punishment (2) Every person who refuses to employ, or dismisses from their employment, a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or other health care professional for the reason only that they refuse to take part, directly or indirectly, in the provision of medical assist¬ance in dying is guilty of • (a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or • (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction. The goal of Bill C-268 is to protect the con-
science rights of medical professionals by preventing coercion and intimidation to participate in acts and protect employment for medical professionals who conscientiously object to certain acts. This makes it an offence to dismiss from employment or to refuse to employ a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or other health care professional for the reason only that they refuse to take part, directly or indirectly, in the provision of medical assistance in dying. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Section 2(a) classifies conscience rights as a fundamental freedom. This freedom can be held against actions of all levels of government and are enforceable by the courts. Despite this, medical professionals have been pressured to resign from their positions or have had to defend their right to be employed in their area of expertise, because they refuse to participate in an act or do an effective referral for acts that they oppose. These doctors deserve to be able to follow their conscience fully. No doctor should be intimidated or coerced to participate in the killing of someone, nor should they be at risk of losing their job, even if the killing in question is legal. Conscience rights are being violated, and medical professionals who may be against parts of Canada’s euthanasia law are being compelled to participate in acts that go against their morals. When we allow governments to ignore or undermine conscience rights, we allow governments to equate what’s moral to what’s legal. What we have in many parts of Canada is not a compromise, and this has been most notable during the current pandemic.
Social Justice Action Day; Canada hosts the largest convention of social justice advocates, diversity consultants and community leaders PAUL JUNOR
• •
paul@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
• Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 was designated “ Social Justice Action Day” and was organized by the International School of Greatness. The founder, Alex Ihama, serves as Executive Director of the Canadian Congress on Diversity. It was billed as “The largest convention of social justice advocates, diversity consultants and community, corporate, religious, academic and political leaders.” This lecture is “An open forum of a diverse group of participants, with a cross-section of over a thousand participants made up of students, workers, community advocates, entrepreneurs and even policy and decision-makers in the governments and corporations.” There were specific questions that were posed during the virtual forum such as:
•
•
•
•
How can and should the murder of George impact the status quo in the power blocs of all nations? What are the judicial, academic, economic, corporate, religious, social and societal changes to protect minorities and avoid a George-Floyd situation in Canada and around the world? How did we as a people get there, and how can we move forward as a people? What are the strategic, spiritual, systematic and social solutions to eliminate systemic racism and other social justice issues so that as black and Indigenous people, “we can breathe”? Regardless of colour, creed, status, orientation, gender or socioeconomic background, how can we come together as a people to stand for social justice? What are the racialized and prejudicial thoughts you may be struggling with unconsciously based on the fear of being among peers, neighbours, who do not look, talk or think like you? What is the path to social justice, ethnic reconciliation and global equity?
Foy Olivia hosted the forum. It started off with a discussion with Alex Ihama and Nekima Levy Armstrong, Executive Director of the Wayfinder Foundation in Minneapolis. As a prominent civil rights lawyer, she has gained a national platform and started a global conversation with respect to racial justice. Her insights were insightful, informative and inspirational. Civic leaders such as Brampton’s Mayor Patrick Brown and Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie discussed how their cities are dealing with the challenges of tackling anti-black racism through ongoing discussions and collaborations with the black community. Steve Stephenson, Deputy Mayor of Shelburne spoke about the importance of prayers and the value of adopting a change management mind-set. He states, “Prayers get you in the right mind-set when you do the work.” In addition, Dr Jean Augustine, former MP highlighted the importance of this moment in time. She states that it is important to “Return to the past as we examine today, and strategy for the future.” Courtney Betty, Lead Counsel for the Black Class Action Lawsuit talks about the importance of getting justice for those who have suffered unfairly while
working for the federal government. Other speakers included: Dr. Francis Mpindu, Leslie McGill, Marguerite Orange, Paul Jones, Orlando Bowen, Pauline Christian, Garnett Genius, and Alethia Stephenson. Performances included Liberty Silver, two-times Juno Award winner and Dwayne Morgan, two-time Canadian National Poetry Slam Champion. Dr Wendy Cukier, Founder/Director of Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute gave a powerful overview of the state of racial justice in Canada. Dr. Ardavan Eizadirad, Professor of Laurier University reiterated the quote from W.E.Dubois, ”Education must not simply teach work-it must teach life.” He states that it is important to move beyond safe space to a brave space. This involves taking risk beyond defined boundaries and isolated teams. Mark Saunders, retired Toronto Chief of Police states, “The only way we can get this right is by relying on the strength and power of true collaboration. This means that all levels of government and community advocates must come to the table and drive proper sustainable solutions.”
NEWS
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 11
Grenada’s Prime Minister has given the green light to employers to pressure workers to take the vaccine MICHAEL THOMAS michael@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
According to a well-known Grenadian barrister Mr. Anslem Clouden, the island’s Prime Minister has given the green light to employers to pressure workers to take the experimental injection or stay home if they choose not to. Clouden did a public piece urging unions and employers to observe the island’s human rights code and not listen to Mitchell when it comes to implementing this unfair and ugly abuse of Grenadians as a people. “Employers cannot force anyone,”
Clouden said, “to take a vaccine if they decide that it is toxic and deleterious and would affect their health especially where they may have pre-existing conditions.” “The constitution of Grenada,” Clouden repeated, “guarantees in chapter one that every Grenadian irrespective of class, social standing, what have you, the right to work and therefore that is a constitutionally protected right.” Clouden called the PM irresponsible for talking down to workers who are not injected, saying that their employer can mandate that they take the injection before returning to work. “This is where the labour unions must show some concerns and take up the struggle, so as to avoid workers from losing their jobs as a result of not taking an unsafe vaccine. It is callous, it is irresponsible of businesses to insist that employees in both the public and private sectors must be vaccinated before resuming employment.” the barrister said. Grenada’s Minister of Health Nick-
olas Steele, was recently on hand at the airport to welcome a shipment of injections, which he called “The most valuable liquid on earth right now.” Anyone listening to Steele and the authority with which he was speaking of distributing these injections to the masses, would get the impression that Grenadians are his sick children and he has ordered some treatment for them. It is anyone’s guess if the masses were consulted before this order. Steele said that he is anticipating the over 21,000 doses to be injected into Grenadians soon before the expiration date at the end of June. Steele told the Spice Islanders they are fortunate to have received these injections. “While it is a limited amount and limited variety it is still the right vaccine that can protect us,” Steele said. The Spice Islanders are also encouraged to come out in numbers for their shots so that they can achieve herd immunity and go back to normal. Grenada’s Chief
Medical Officer Shawn Charles admitted in a recent interview that there are no active cases on the island, and no new cases in the past weeks. This leaves one to question why the crate- loads of injections from the Pan American Health Organization, WHO and COVAX. Is it in the interest of health, wealth or? Even though Grenada has no active cases, no new cases, it has been put on the naughty travellers list by the UK and the reason is simple. Could it be that the UK is pressuring Grenadian authorities to get the population injected or else the island tourist trade will suffer? Sounds familiar. Do this or else, do that or else. Grenada seems to be one of those Caribbean Islands that is in lockstep with the draconian enterprise. There is word on the ground that the citizens are told that if they do not have their injection pass, they will not be able to view the upcoming Cricket matches this summer in the stadium.
Generating greater insights into lived experiences, challenges, and opportunities: Mississauga commits to tackle anti-black racism PAUL JUNOR paul@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Mississauga has been declared as one of the sixth largest and fastest growing major cities according to the website:www.visitmississauga.ca. Cities within the Greater Toronto Area, such as Toronto, Brampton, Markham have all adopted an action plan to unshackle the tentacles of ant-black racism. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, the Mississauga City Council took a stand against anti-black racism, systemic racism and discrimination. In a news release Mayor Bonnie Crombie states, “The City recognizes that racism and in particular, anti-black racism and discrimination is a crisis that requires immediate attention. The City reaffirmed its commitment to addressing systematic racism and discrimination by supporting policies and programs
that address the inequities that racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, and in particular black communities continue to experience in Mississauga, and committing to the safety and livelihood of its black residents naming anti-black racism as a persuasive threat to the safety and enjoyment of life in the city.” In consultation with Mayor Crombie and the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee there were actions plans implemented: •
•
•
•
Convene a series of community lead consultations on systemic racism, antiblack racism, anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination using an intersectional lens, and identify areas for systemic change in the community Convene a black caucus to advise on the equity issues and priorities identified by black communities in Mississauga, and report back to Council publicly in six months Review the terms of reference for the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee to ensure it is fulfilling its mandate and that it focuses on part on anti-black and anti-Indigenous racism Review the City and Region of Peel’s
•
consultation and communication strategy with respect to racism and discrimination and the reform of our institutions Work with the Region of Peel to carry out the Region’s anti-racism public education/awareness campaigns at the city level
The City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer were tasked with five specific action steps in order to carry out these actions. Resolution 207 was passed by City Council in June 2020, which resulted in six community sessions being held with the black community. The sessions include: • •
Accessing political power in Canada on May 6th How can black communities best use
•
local resources for positive impact and change on May 20th Policing on May 27th
Personal well-being within the black community on June 8th Accessing an age friendly society on June 17th Economic empowerment on June 29th For Mississauga black residents, these sessions are “To generate greater insights into their lived experiences, challenges, and opportunities to create a more inclusive and accessible city and region.” Anyone interested can visit Mississauga.ca/BCE or email BCE@mississauga. ca. Residents, communities and allies are encouraged to register for the upcoming sessions in June.
PAGE 12
NEWS
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
The Power of Social Media; Peel Police Basketball organize supplies to reach Volcano Orange Zones in St Vincent ADRIAN ADORE
adrian@carib101.com
PRP REPORTER
On March 10th, 2021, the Peel Regional Police basketball team posted on their social media platform information on their partnership with Global Medic, a Canadian Disaster relief and Humanitarian Organization. The combined efforts of both organizations have resulted in the delivery of more than 450 boxes of non-perishable food items to families in the Peel Region who require support. On April 9th, 2021, when the La Soufriere Volcano began, the natural di-
saster had an extensive impact resulting in water contamination and the displacement of over 20,000 residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Officers from the Peel Regional Police basketball team united to continue their charitable actions internationally. Through community engagement, officers connected with members of the community and arranged multiple barrels of items to be sent to St. Vincent as part of the disaster relief. The basketball team joined efforts with the Divisional Mobilization Unit and, within a short time, forged a partnership with Basket Brigade Canada and Nike Toronto. The collective efforts by those involved resulted in barrels reaching Colonaire, Mt. Greenan and Park Hill communities in the orange zone on the island of St. Vincent. The barrels were filled with food items, water, clothing, footwear, sporting goods, diapers, toiletries, and hygiene products.
“Thank you, Peel Police Basketball, for your generosity,” said Leah Carr, “This donation will go a long way to help-
ing the rural communities in need.” Together Peel Police is committed to a safer global community.
One of the risks of being alive; getting infected with a nasty microorganism SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
“When avian influenza viruses make the leap from birds to humans, they usually don’t spread between humans, and when they do, their transmission is typically “limited, inefficient and not sustained.” U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention What else is happening around the world that does not have to do with COVID-19 you ask? Well, how about other influenza virus strains if you can believe that. It is one of the risks of being alive, getting infected with a nasty microorganism. For decades, microbiologists and public health officials have feared that an influenza pandemic similar to the one that occurred in 1918 (The Spanish
flu) would break out again. The flu killed more people than World War I. Subsequent influenza pandemics occurred in 1957, 1968, and 2009, with the latter being far less lethal than previous pandemics. Influenza poses a persistent pandemic threat because of its ability to quickly mutate. Not only does the virus mutate as it reproduces, but it also can recombine with other flu viruses. Let’s take it back to February 2020. Russian authorities reported the first known cases of an avian influenza virus called H5N8. Seven workers at a poultry plant became infected with the virus in December 2020, following an outbreak among the bird flocks. Russia did report the seven cases to the World Health Organization, noting that there was no evidence of humanto-human transmission. That means that the influenza virus jumped from infected birds into the workers who contracted H5N8, but it did not spread from humanto-human. Since then, there have been reports of an H5N8 influenza virus spreading among birds across the globe, and this has understandably generated concern. On the occasions in which an H5 vi-
rus does infect humans, it can be highly lethal. There have been a reported 860 cases of H5 influenza in humans as of July 2018 with 454 fatalities. Most of these infections probably resulted from human contact with infected birds (like chickens) since human-to-human transmission is uncommon for H5 viruses. On April 23rd, 2021 a 41-year-old man in the city of Zhenjiang (China) developed a fever that progressed over the following days. On April 28th, it became serious enough that he went to a local hospital for treatment. On May 28th, 2021 the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) performed a genetic analysis on specimens from the infected man and determined he was infected with H10N3. The CCDC began to monitor the surrounding province for additional cases of infection and specifically sought out the man’s close contacts, but they discovered no additional cases. The man is now in stable condition and ready for discharge from the hospital, the statement notes. On June 1st, 2021, China’s National Health Commission officially announced that the man had caught the first case of H10N3 bird flu ever reported
in a human. The CCDC did not specify how or when the infected man might have picked up the virus from a bird. Based on the CCDC’s assessments so far, there’s little risk of the virus spreading on a large scale. Since the virus doesn’t appear to pass between people, that gives our world leaders time to prepare for possible mutations and react in an adequate and timely fashion, should human-tohuman transmission ever occur in the future, kind of like they were supposed to for our current pandemic. However, in rare instances, avian flu can indeed spark major outbreaks among people, so monitoring for new cases of infection remains very important for public health. The last bird flu to cause significant outbreaks among humans was H7N9, which killed more than 300 people in 2016 and 2017 Sigh! The last thing we need right now is another influenza virus popping up and causing more havoc in the world. Don’t worry community; we will keep an eye on things for you and make sure that we keep you informed and prepared.
NEWS
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 13
Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Elsa, Fred, and Grace; say hello to Hurricane Season Just two ingredients fuel hurricanes: heat and water. It begins over the warm waters above the equator, where the air above the ocean’s surface takes in heat and moisture. As the hot air rises, it leaves a lower pressure region below it. Over and over again, this process repeats; air from higher-pressure areas moves into the lower pressure area, heats up, and rises, in turn, producing swirls in the air. Eventually, the hot air gets high enough into the atmosphere; it cools off and condenses into clouds. The growing, swirling vortex of air and clouds grows and grows. Welcome hurricane season. Hurricanes are tropical cyclones. When a tropical cyclone’s sustained winds reach 39 to 73 mph (63 to 118 km/h), it is considered a tropical storm and then it gets a name. The name is selected from a list put out by the World Meteorological Organization. As these winds get more intense - 74 to 95 mph (119 to 153 km/h) - that storm becomes a Category 1 hurricane.
SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
The lightning lit up the dark sky. The hailstones clattered to the ground like marbles spilling out of a box. The thunder rumbled, the wind howled ruthlessly and the angry water that had begun to flood your house was smacking across your shins. Yep, there was no denying it; it was hurricane season. NASA has come out boldly to say that hurricanes are the most violent storms on Earth. As Caribbeans, many of us, if you were born on the islands have experienced a hurricane, and you can admit, it is a pretty scary experience. The question is, what do we know about these violent, tumultuous storms?
According to the Saffir-Simpson, sustained winds linked to categories 2 through 5 hurricanes are: • • • •
Category 2: 96 to 110 mph (154 to 177 km/h) Category 3: 111 to 129 mph (178 to 208 km/h) Category 4: 130 to 156 mph (209 to 251 km/h) Category 5: 157 mph or higher (252 km/h or higher)
Since the 1980s, the intensity, frequency and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes have increased; and although scientists don’t expect this season to be as busy as last year, it only takes one storm to devastate an island. Scientists are predicting that the Atlantic will likely be hit with a higherthan-average number of storms, and that the Central Pacific will likely have an average or below-average number of storms, with only about two to five tropical cyclones expected to form. On May 20th, 2021, the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a statement about this year’s hurricane season. There is a 60% chance that the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from Tuesday (June 1st) to November 30th, will be an “above-normal” season. The season will likely bring 13 to 20 named storms, or storms with winds of 39 mph (63 km/h) or higher. Of those storms, six to ten could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph (119 km/h) or higher, with three to five becoming “major” hurricanes with winds of 111 mph (179 km/h) or higher. So what are we going to be naming these forces from above this year? This year’s first Atlantic storm will be named “Ana,” the second “Bill,” followed by “Claudette, Danny, Elsa, Fred, Grace” and so on; the last storm on the list is “Wanda,” See, now you are prepared and ready, and you can share this with members of your family that live on the islands. Prior preparation will always prevent poor performance.
Corus Entertainment Network now offering scholarship programs to empower black journalism students and its portfolio includes “thirty-three speciality television services, thirty-nine radio stations, fifteen conventional television stations, a suite of digital assets, animation software, technology and media services.” The impetus for the awarding of these scholarships was influenced by the work of the Canadian Association of Black Journalists (CABJ) and Canadian Journalists of Colour (CJOC). The Diversity, Equity and Inclusive (DEI) Action Plan at Corus was intended to ensure that DEI is reflected in all ranges of its widespread operations. This is important because “building diverse representation in our industry talent pipeline will mean diverse representation is sustainable for the future at Corus and access to the industry as a whole.” Qualified black students will be able to attend post-secondary institutions offering journalism anywhere in Canada. In addition, these students will be offered mentoring opportunities with black journalists who are presently employed at
PAUL JUNOR
paul@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
The announcement on Tuesday, June 1st that Global News will be offering new scholarships for black students pursuing journalism is truly very exciting. The announcement was made in a press release by Corus Entertainment Network and can be seen at its website corusent.com. Corus Entertainment Inc (TSX:CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that develops and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world The network has been around since 1999 RY 10TH
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Global News. Ward Smith, Senior Vice-President at Global News stated, “Our organization recognizes that we have a responsibility to increase the representation of black journalists in newsrooms across the country. In continuing this work, we want to encourage black students to pursue post-secondary studies in the field and to ensure they are connected with relatable mentors that can offer support throughout their careers.” There will be great networks that these black journalist students will be able to work in across Canada. These include: Global Television, W Network, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, History Channel, National Geography, Disney Channel Canada, YTV, Nickelodeon Canada, Global News, Globalnews.ca, Q107, Country 105 and CFOX. Dave D’Oyen, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead (Corus Entertainment) stated. “We need black journalists in newsrooms to amplify and contextualize sto-
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ries in the community and to paint a picture that is not driven by stereotypes. The scholarship program aims to ensure that black students feel empowered to pursue journalism and are eventually able to elevate issues that are of great concern to the black community.” There will be an additional scholarship for Black, Indigenous and Racialized (BIR) students, which will be offered in conjunction with the Radio Television Digital News Foundation (RTDNF). Any BIR students who are registered in a recognized journalism program in Canada can apply for this scholarship. Interested black students can visit Corus at www.corusent.com or check out its social media links: Twitter:@CorusPR,@Globalnews,Facebook:@ GlobalNews,Instagram:@Globalnews There is no doubt that these scholarships will ensure that there will be BIPOC representations in mainstream media right across Canada.
PAGE 14
NEWS
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Pine Needles and Chaga; Nature’s way of protecting our immune systems MICHELLE CLARKE michelle@carib101.com
HOLISTIC NEWS
Greetings Community! As promised, I will be bringing you all forms of holistically healthy insights that will allow you to make better choices, proactively for you and your family. This week I bring you two benefits that both come from trees! Yes! Nature! Allow me to introduce or reintroduce to you Pine Needle tea and Chaga both of which can be consumed by way of tea or powder. The Pine Needle tea has a better flavour and aroma. Chaga has very little aroma but packs a bitter punch when taken as tea alone. Chaga and Pine Needle are available in many forms and both have been used for centuries if not millennia! They both have extremely powerful effects on the immune system and molecular level. Let’s look at a quick breakdown of the benefits for each naturally occurring fungus and needle leaf.
Pine Needle comes from the Eastern White Pine, very common across North America and The Canadian Boreal Forests, and later was introduced to Europe. In the 1530’s, a French Explorer was treated by the Iroquois who healed him and his crew from scurvy with Pine Needle Tea! You can identify the White Pine (Pinus Strobus) by the thin needle leaves that grow five in a bungle fan off one thinner branch. Pine Needle tea is super-rich in Vitamin C, which helps the body fight illnesses and infection. With five times more the concentration of Vitamin C from lemons it can quickly reverse fatigue. Did you know that Pine Needle tea also packs a powerful Vitamin A punch? Vitamin A has been known to improve your eyesight and help regenerate skin. The most exciting fact is that it improves red blood cell production and oxygen production. Researched evidence also has recorded its ability to help slow down aging! Did you know that our red blood cells reproduce every 90 days! The natural compounds have been known to also bring about mental clarity, help to relieve chemical depression, and allergies; including turning on metabolism by turning calories into energy! Men! You may find this next benefit particularly more interesting and noteworthy. Pine Needle Tea has also has been
shown to have a positive impact on testosterone! Yes! It can positively affect your sex drive, sperm production, and bone and muscle mass! You thought you had read it all? Well nope! Let me break down for you right quick the goodness of another extension of the tree, the bark. Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus Obliquus) is known as Birch Mushroom or Chaga Conk, Clinker Polypore, Cinder Conk (Russian language Komi-Permyak, of the indigenous people in Kama River Basin). It has been used for centuries, (again if not millennia), and is native to Alaska and the North Eastern United States, Siberia and Northern Europe and Korea, only becoming more recently popular in North America. The black exterior colour should be an indicator that it’s powerful and rich. While the inside will surprise you, as it resembles a blood-orange sponge. Many bypass this ugly growth, but the truth is it contains a potent amount of melanin giving the skin and blood cells natural protection from sun damage/skin cancer, wrinkles/aging, pollutants and toxins! The naturally high melanin from the Chaga actually has it ranked as one of the highest Oxygen Radical Absorbance Content (ORAC)foods ever! Depending on the region it has
been used for different purposes, with results that go above and beyond. For example, in Norway it’s called kreftkjuke, which translates into “cancer fungus.” Found commonly on birch, alder oak, beech and poplar trees to address heart disease, diabetes, stomach and intestinal cancers, liver disease, cholesterol, parasites, antiinflammatory, stress chemical manager (brain adaptogen) gastrointestinal pains and even tuberculosis! With a high content of minerals, it packs a Vitamin D punch! The brain’s cognition skills are much improved. As well as aiding the body in maintaining alkalinity and pH! Simply put, Chaga helps stimulate the human immune system, re-collaborate blood cells, release antioxidants and well, provides broad-spectrum immune support (much like CBD) triggering immune responses that fight against pathogens cancers and the body’s ability to flush out free radicals. *Please Note Not All Pine Needles are not good to ingest and should be avoided during pregnancy, if unaware you could boil. I do not make any medical claims, as I am a holistic researcher and interpreter of alternative medicine. Any results would be individually based on used, source and body type and body’s ability to absorb*
Hurricane Dorian has left a permanent scar on Bahamas LA SHAWNA GRIFFITH lashawna@carib101.com
BARBADOS TC REPORTER
BARBADOS -- Two years after category five Hurricane Dorian rocked the Abaco Islands, the small island is still coming to grips with the adverse impact it has had on the lives of Bahamians. The panel discussion, held by the Centre of Biosecurity Studies at the University of The West Indies, was under the theme of Stories of Disaster Recovery Voices From Hurricane Dorian It was held on May 19th, 2021. The Honorable Adrian Gibson (Executive Chairman, The Barbados Water and Sewerage Corporation), said that to date the damage from Hurricane Dorian is valued at 3.4 billion. “This was a grand disaster in the history of the Bahamas resulting in at least seventy-seven recorded deaths, with some still missing and the question recording the
true number of missing among our large patient immigrant communities. Thousands of homes destroyed, businesses displaced, and many thousands displaced and total damage of some 3.4 billion USD,” he said. Gibson gave a brief report of the challenges the water and sewage ministry faced in the first two months after the all clear was given on September 5th, 2019. “Challenges faced during this period included staffing. As I outlined previously, due to the severity of the damage, many of our Abaco staff had to be relocated to New Providence as this meant that we had to fly in other temporary staff from other islands for short durations. The other challenge was housing. In the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, it was very challenging to find suitable housing for our temporary staff. Our first waves of post-storm personnel had to use our generators and non-damaged apartments we were able to source with some having to sleep in our offices. Another challenge was transportation as with no stores open, all of our supplies had to be moved by air or sea with others competing for those same supplies and logistical routes. Many of our vehicles
had storm-related damage and it was difficult to locate rental vehicles as many were destroyed and or damaged. Communication also posed another challenge.” The Member of Parliament for Long Island said that the overall initial damage to the Water and Sewage system is estimated to cost between 15-20M USD and that the amount has since increased by a further 13-15M USD. Gibson said that the country is still seeking to rebuild two years post-Hurricane Dorian and that they have had recent challenges with their rebuilding exercise as they had some stoppages due to the onset of COVID-19. “The principal challenge during this challenge - in addition to those outlined - was the onset of the global pandemic in March 2020, and its impact on national and global finances, commerce, movement and supply chains. National priorities have to be realigned to match the national fall of Government revenue and the [significant] increase in our social systems.” Moreover, he noted that the combined effect of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 resulted in an 80% decline in the amount of cash donations they received,
which was the second-largest revenue source after New Providence. The Executive Chairman of the Barbados Water and Sewerage Corporation said that one of the initiatives of the Bahamas Water and Sewerage Corporation was to ensure that the potable water systems in his country could withstand 200 MPH. “All sewage systems in Abaco must be built stronger. Some of the initiatives implemented include that all new portable storage tanks must be designed to take 200 MPH winds when empty. All new buildings must be elevated. New standby generators must be installed on elevated cliffs. Water mains along coastal roads must be installed on the opposite end of the roadway. Each standby generator must have a minimum of five days of fuel stored.” Gibson was one of the panelists on a panel discussion which included Dr. Ancilleno Davis who is the Principal and CEO of Science and Perspective and Head of Mission, Embassy of Barbados Caracas Commander Aquinas Clarke. The panel discussions are held quarterly.
NEWS
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 15
You might want to think twice about permanent hair dye and chemical hair straighteners when terrible concoctions were used to alter hair colour, both for beauty and to show rank on the battlefield. In years past, animal studies questioned the safety of hair dyes. But research on humans produced inconsistent findings. More recently, studies are yielding findings that should be enough to make people pause. Researchers for a study published in the International Journal of Cancer analyzed data from the “Sister Study”. This ongoing study involves more than 50,000 women between the ages of 35 and 74, all having a sister with breast cancer. Having a sister with breast cancer placed them at higher risk for developing breast cancer themselves. But researchers used the cohort to study the cancer risk of hair dye. Although all participants share the same family history, only some of them used hair dye and straighteners, allowing for interesting comparisons. What did epidemiologist Dr. Alexandra White find? She is an investigator with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, studying risk factors for
W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES TC HEALTH REPORTER
The American star of the silver screen, Jean Harlow, was known as the “Blonde Bombshell”. She once remarked, “If it wasn’t for my hair, Hollywood wouldn’t know me.” But did the blonde hair come at a huge price? Harlow died at the age of twenty-six. Do you make a habit of dying your hair? Now that lockdowns are easing and you cannot wait to get a haircut, you might want to think twice about permanent hair dye and chemical hair straighteners. Some recent studies have raised health concerns. The practice of dying hair goes back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome
breast cancer. She found that white women who frequently used permanent hair dyes had a 7% higher risk of breast cancer and black women a 45% higher risk. For women who frequently used chemical straighteners the risk was 30%, with no race difference. What happened to Harlow? Apparently, Harlow insisted she was a natural blonde. But one Hollywood stylist, Alfred Pagano, knew otherwise. He reported that to make her platinum blonde, peroxide, ammonia, Clorox and Lux flakes were used. Whether his account is accurate, we will never know. But Clorox mixed with ammonia produces the noxious gas, hydrochloric acid, not a healthy mixture. The hair treatments took a toll, and when Harlow’s hair began to fall out, she turned to a wig. In short order, she died of kidney failure. Today, hair products are not all the same, and they can contain any of more than 5,000 chemicals, some of which are known to cause cancer in lab animals being fed large amounts of these dyes
over time. White notes, “For chemical hair straighteners, one of the big concerns is formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen.” Products that do not overtly contain formaldehyde may yet release this hazardous substance when the product is heated. The global market for hair dyes was US$29B in 2019 and is expected to grow to US$40B by 2025. White’s research will not slow this growth. Vanity too readily trumps prudence. Should you be concerned? On current evidence, the risk is low compared to other known carcinogens such as tobacco and radiation. If you use hair dye, the risk is in all probability small. But remember, formaldehyde is used to embalm people for burial! Natural, vegetable-based hair dyes are available. So instead of going for permanent colour, what’s wrong with taking a less drastic approach? Temporary and fading colours need not be a drawback. Set the tone with a positive attitude for going natural. And natural hair – meaning whatever Mother Nature gave you – is beautiful.
Colombian government continues to disregard the rights of citizens in the presence of the police. Furthermore, paramilitary-style accomplices in plain clothes and firing weapons were filmed on multiple occasions joining uniformed officers to attack protesters. The protestors’ demands include, but are not limited to: reforming the police, implementing a basic income plan, and providing free tuition at public universities. President Joe Biden tweeted, “America won’t back away from our commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. No responsible American president can remain silent when basic human rights are violated.” The tweet, an excerpt from the U.S. president’s prepared congressional address, was retweeted on May 1st by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken with the caption, “We will always defend human rights at home and abroad.” Amnesty International USA called on Anthony Blinken to immediately cease the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of equipment used, such as small arms, shotguns, and related ammunition, as well as tear gas, riot control projectiles, launchers, armoured vehicles, dual-use surveillance technologies, training, and any other technical or financial assistance. “The United States government has been an agonizing party to the killing,
AMANDA WILLIAMS amanda@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
A national strike started on April 28th, 2021, in Colombia, with multiple massive demonstrations across the country against a bill that would have increased taxes on income and essential goods, affecting a large sector of the Colombian population. Although the Columbian government withdrew its $6.7 billion tax plan on May 2nd, protests have continued across the country. As of May 9th, Colombian human rights organizations have recorded the death of 47 people, 12 cases of sexual violence, 28 victims of eye injuries, 963 arrests, and 1,876 acts of police violence. In addition, the Attorney General’s Office had 168 active requests for missing persons and other reports of torture, beatings, ill treatment, and attacks by armed civilians, many RY 10TH
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disappearances, sexual violence, and other torture, and horrendous repression of dozens of mostly peaceful demonstrations,” said Philippe Nassif, the advocacy director of Amnesty International USA. In a letter to Anthony Blinken, U.S. Representative James P. McGovern, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Mark Pocan, Jan Schakowsky, Raúl M. Grijalva and 55 of their colleagues urged the U.S. Government to denounce police brutality in Colombia. “Colombia’s security forces, especially its National Police, are more unleashed than we have seen in decades of strife – hundreds of citizen videos show aggressive, indiscriminate use of lethal and non-lethal weapons against citizens in ways that violate both Colombian law and international human rights standards,” wrote the lawmakers. According to Justice for Columbia, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) made a formal request to visit and monitor human rights abuses in Colombia on May 14th, 2021. However, the Colombian government rejected the demand on the grounds that any visit should occur once Colombian authorities’ investigations have been concluded. Although the government has now confirmed that an IACHR delegation
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will visit Colombia in June, they have attempted to shift the focus of investigation away from security forces and onto protesters. Vice-President Martha Ramírez urged the delegation to meet primarily with state institutions to investigate ‘attacks on judicial power,’ ‘vandalism,’ and road blockades that the government says have impacted local populations. The letter made no mention of the widely documented police violence that has drawn concern from multiple organizations. On May 28th, President Iván Duque issued an order to increase military deployment in eight departmental regions. Since then, significant violations, including deaths in Cali, Putumayo in southern Colombia, and elsewhere, have been reported. The government continues to disregard the rights of citizens. Human rights are being dismissed or violated at increasing rates over the past year, which poses the question: Do people worldwide have human rights at all? Furthermore, if governments can quickly and continuously violate them, how can we possibly hold them accountable when they have the ability to dismiss or delay external investigations?
NEWS
PAGE 16
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Ontario insists that all new accredited teachers must pass a Math Proficiency Test before they can teach PAUL JUNOR
paul@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
The PC-led provincial government has mandated that all new accredited teachers in Ontario passes a Math Proficiency Test (MPT) before they can teach in Ontario schools. The legislation was rushed through the Ontario legislature and received royal assent in September 2020. The test comprises of 75 questions with 50 of them based on mathematics content and 21 on pedagogy. There will be four field test questions that will not be counted according to the website: mathproficiencytest.ca. The Education Quality and Ac-
countability Office (EQAO) designed the test with the help of Ontario teachers and representatives from Ontario Faculties of Education. It is described as “A computerbased test that may be administered in person or remotely by a post-secondary institution providing a program of professional education accredited by the College of Teachers or an approved test score.” The MPT is mandatory for teachers certified after March 31st, 2021 and the Ministry of Education released a memo to provide updated information to those who will have to write the MPT. Prospective teachers were able to write the test online as of May 3rd, 2021 and those who choose to write it in-person will have to wait until Ontario’s stay-athome order is removed. They can write the test as many times as possible before the deadline of August 31st, 2021. There has been much opposition to this MPT by the education unions since the test was announced. Ontario
Teachers Federation (OTF) and other unions have stated; • •
•
Ontario students do not have an achievement in math problems There is little empirical evidence that standardized teacher tests have a positive correlation to teaching effectiveness or student achievement Any math proficiency assessment should be an integral part of their teacher education program, with opportunities for support as needed
The education union OSSTF in a letter to its members has expressed concerns about the possibility of teacher candidates who are not successful on the test being not able to teach in Ontario. Ontario Teachers Candidates’ Council (OTCC) was formed in early March 2019. It was started, “In response to the MPT which was made mandatory for the qualification of new teachers.” The website states, “We believe that this test is not equita-
ble, fair, justified or backed by data. The EQAO office has been rushed into creating a massive test in just months.” The OTCC has launched a legal challenge against the MPT and has started a fundraiser at GoFundMe to raise funds. As of Sunday, May 9th, it had raised $10 390 out of a projected total of $35 000. OTCC notes that approximately 7,000 new teachers are potentially in danger of not obtaining their Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) if they do not pass the test. Details can be seen at Gofundme.com, which notes, “Despite numerous attempts to communicate with the Minister of Education, Stephen Leece, teacher candidates, faculties of education, and various teacher federations were ignored. Expert testimony during the legislative process was also ignored. Students were left with no other recourse except to take legal action.”
“Want the BIG picture? Read this!” BY JOHNATHAN FREELANCE REPORTER This series of articles will help provide you with clarity of exactly what is going on, why it’s happening, and what you can do about it. Today’s article provides background information, and a short summary of what is going on with topics you can research further. Over the last year, I’ve spoken with many people: law enforcement, politicians, medical professions, business owners, church leaders and more. Serious accidents have been labelled as “COVID-19.” AMO documents requested city politicians be fired for questioning “the science.” $100k threats were made to small businesses if they open, while fully open big box retailers pack people in like sardines. I’ve read hundreds of medical documents, psychological reports, publicly available official documents, and ‘conspiracies’ to see the big picture. I have a number of science degrees from prestigious universities, so I understand “the science.” I am going to share with you what I’ve learned. Research these topics. Get educated. Do critical thinking.
In short, this is what is really going on. A handful of very rich, very powerful, and very evil individuals and families literally want world domination, total power, and total control. Secret societies like “Circle of the Black Sun” and, “Society of Elect” have planned generations in advance and manipulated those below them. They are Eugenists, and believe in population control. They believe they are smart (‘illuminated’), and that you are dumb. So they use trauma based mind control - lockdowns and masks - with two primal human fears, the fear of death, and the fear of poverty, to manipulate your actions and belief systems. Their agenda includes the following: • • • •
One world government (Agenda 21, 2030, Lockstep) A planned “Health Pandemic” using psychological manipulation (Event 201, SPARS) A planned 2nd ‘Digital Health Pandemic’, to push a global ID (Cyberpolygon, ID2020) Permanent Online education (CORE education)
• • • • •
Massive Currency devaluation to push a one world digital currency (“BetterThanCash”) World Depopulation (Georgia Guidestones, East Indian Polio Experiments, AIDS “medication”) Destroying Small business (Destructive Capitalism) Mind control through injections (Patent #2020-060606, Profusa Bio Sensors, fMRI, Programmable DNA) Manufactured Food Shortages
What would you do if you knew there was never a contagious virus, and the only way you became infected was to become injected? Research germ theory versus terrain theory, or German New Medicine. Or look at FOIR’s from PHA’s indicating no isolated virus sample from a deceased person was available prior to injections. (That’s like saying someone died from cancer, so the doctor cuts open the body, sees it’s healthy - and says ‘Trust me, its there! I just can’t find it!’). Do not blindly “trust the science,” or “trust the experts,” because sometimes, “the science” is wrong, and “the experts” lie to you. Why would “experts” lie to you?
The love of money is a good reason. It’s surprising how easily a tiny amount of money can influence the opinions of “the experts”. Ownership stakes in plastic, masking, or vaccine companies provide good incentives. Contract bidding for huge profits (i.e., E60PV-20ESS2/B) provide good incentives. Those “experts” then tell those underneath them to go along with the agenda, or look for a different job. Underlings, threatened with losing their job if they don’t mask up get the jab ‘trust’ their superiors, figuring ‘someone’ must be checking up on them - so they do as they’re told. Those same “experts” then use things like the “Principles of COVID-19 vaccine communications” document from the United Nations/University of Florida to instruct health practitioners how to exploit human emotions and values to get more injections. Why the big rush for injections? That’s all you see on Tell-a-Vision. Or Tell-lie-vision. How do you spell that properly? So what do you do? Get educated, and fast. Trust your immune system. Tell others, and a bonus - invest in some physical gold and silver today.
FEATURE
PAGE 18
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Celebrating Canadian Music, The JUNO’S 50TH Celebration BY ALMIRA RIMEZ FREELANCE REPORTER
formance. It has been a long and winding road for the Junos. Up until 1991, they didn’t end up having Rap music as a category. The first ever rap Juno was handed out to the Godfather of Canadian Rap Maestro Fresh Wes for his smash “Let Your Backbone Slide,” which was the 1st ever Canadian Rap chart topping hit. This year also marks the 30th Anniversary of the Rap Music Category addition. It was celebrated in fine style with category wins, and performances by: Jessie Reyez , Kardinal Official, Michee Mee, Maestro, Jully Black , Haviah Mighty, Nav plus more. This year we have to really give it up for 6X nominated urban artist the Weekend. Unlike the Grammys the Junos were extremely resistant to the evolution of the music scene resulting in a tenuous relationship with the award show and an entire generation of Canadians. During a time where the Grammys, the American Music Awards and B.E.T were experiencing record numbers of viewers with their inclusion of Rap music into their shows, the Junos refused. For years after the category was added to the ceremonies, the awards were presented off camera as a part of the pre-awards presentation. Nearly a decade before Billboard artist of the de-
Celebrating 50 years of the biggest music awards show in Canadian History. The biggest names in show business came together on CBC for the premiere awards ceremony of Canadian Music, The 50th Anniversary of the Junos Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Science. The Canadian version of America’s Grammy Awards was launched February 23rd 1970, and has hosted some of history’s greatest talents. This year’s version was no different with appearances by: Shania Twain, the world’s premiere crooner Michael Buble, Jim Cuddy, Allesia Cara, and performances by: Justin Bieber, Serena Ryder, The Tragically Hip, Geddy Lee from Rush, and some of Canada’s urban elites. One of the special presentations was from Anne Murray, who presented Jann Arden with the Hall of Fame induction. Opening night was Friday June the 4th hosted by Miss Angeline from CBC’s the Block, experienced technical difficulties with respect to the acceptance of some of the awards but ventured into positive territory when three of this year’s nominees for Best Reggae Recording Ammoye, Kirk Diamond and Tome all hit the stage for an unprecedented per-
cade Drake would emerge from Toronto, the Juno Award Winning Group the Rascalz won the 1998 Juno for Best Rap recording for their album Cash Crop. The group refused the award in protest citing the lack of broadcast. From the 1980’s until about 2007, the Junos felt more like a trip through a time capsule. The young creative geniuses during that time were not being honoured; instead some of the bigger names from the 70’s were being headlined. This critique came to a head in 2006 when rapper Kardinal Official issued the harshest rebuke of the award show to date stating that their ignorance of Canadian rappers would no longer be accepted. The President of C.A.R.A.S. responded by going on national television and telling the Rapper to shut up and go sell some records if you want to be recognized by the organization. The Junos seemed to changed their tune in 2001 when they broadcasted their first ever LIVE tribute to Urban music, with mash up performances from: Deborah Cox, Choclair, Michee Mee, Snow, Maestro, the Rascalz, Ghetto Concept, JackSoul, and a finale with the Babyblue Sound Crew featuring Sean Paul, Kardinal & Jully Black. The roars from the live audience were undeniable, and it seemed that the awards finally entered the twenty-first
century. Unfortunately, after the 2001 tribute the Juno’s went back to their regularly scheduled program completely excluding urban music from the broadcast for their 2002 awards hosted by the hottest band on the planet the Barenaked Ladies. 2007 would change things forever ushering in a new era where Canadian Rappers ruled the top of the Billboard charts. Kardinal Official signed to Akon’s Konvict records, and went on to appear on and to release a series of chart-topping smash records working with: T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, and Lady Gaga. Kardinals’ hit Dangerous topped the Billboard and brought the rapper his first Juno Award. Were there hard feelings? Well rumour had it that the primary reason the rapper did not attend the award show was because of comments made by the C.A.R.A.S. President the year previous, and that the Rapper presently uses the Juno to hang dry his dish towels. Jully Black had a big year at the Junos that year as well with the release of her smash hit Seven Day Fool. Hosted by now famed comedian Russell Peters, this Juno awards went black and brown and seemingly haven’t lacked representation from the urban market since.
Palestine – The occupation of Sheikh Jarrah settlers. That’s what’s happening,” stated Daniel Seidemann, an Israeli lawyer. How did the Nakba come about? May 15th, 1948 is the day that the State of Israel came into being. In an effort to establish a Jewish-majority state, the Zionist movement implemented a process of violence and forced expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland. By 1949, at least 750,000 Palestinians out of a population of 1.9 million were made refugees beyond the borders of the state. Zionist forces had taken more than 78% of historic Palestine, ethnically cleansed and destroyed about 530 villages and cities, and killed about 15,000 Palestinians in a series of mass atrocities, including more than 70 massacres. That was just the start. Israel continues to oppress and dispossess Palestinians to this day. Similar to the events of Sheikh Jarrah, the neighbourhood of Silwan in southern Jerusalem underwent violence as well. According to Seidemann, the targeting of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan are a representation of Israel’s first effort at large-scale displacement of Palestinians in Jerusalem since the aftermath of the 1967 war. The 1967 war, also known as the Six-Day War, came with heart wrenching
OMNIYA ALI
amniya@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Every year during the month of May, the month of which the Palestinian Nakba or “catastrophe” took place seventy-three years ago, people remember what happened, and debates surrounding whether it truly is a Palestinian-Israeli “conflict” or if it is too unfair for it to be labeled as such, erupt. This year’s May, much like all the previous ones, marked yet another disaster for the Palestinian people. The East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah faces forced displacement. During the final days of the holy month of Ramadan, a dispute of decades turned into eleven days of violence. Jerusalem was lit up, not by Eid celebrations, not by the laughter of children, but by Israeli explosions. “There is a concerted effort to displace the Palestinians who live there, and to replace them with biblically motivated RY 10TH
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losses, not only were over 20,000 troops killed by the IDF, but Israel was also able to seize the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. Condemned seventeen times by the United Nations General Assembly last year, the apartheid state continues to displace and occupy the land. In November of 2020 the UN’s Middle East envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, said he is “very concerned by Israel’s decision to advance construction in an illegal Jewish settlement in occupied East Jerusalem that would make establishing an adjacent Palestinian state even harder,” reiterating that “settlement construction is illegal under international law.” Unsurprisingly enough, the US has played a significant role in empowering and funding Israel’s state and military over the past seven decades. Failing to explicitly condemn Israel’s acts of war and failing to label Hamas’ resistance as self-defence, the US has made it blatantly obvious which side of the “conflict” they support. Muhammad El-Kurd, a Palestinian poet and writer who is facing forced displacement in Sheikh Jarrah responds with: “The United States has waged more wars than there is Hamas members. I do not wait for the United States to tell
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me what constitutes as self-defence and what is not. That is not where my moral compass stems from. I don’t think the United States is in position, given all the genocides and wars it has partaken in, to tell me what is self-defence. What I know is that the military occupation that we are living in is excruciatingly violent, the siege that we’re living under is excruciatingly violent, and that’s the aggressor. That’s the occupier, that’s fundamentally what started the ‘so-called’ conflict.” The most astonishing aspect of this issue is that people continue to debate whether the killing of civilians and children, the illegal occupation of land, and the forced displacement is justified. Human lives cannot be disposable, they are not just numbers on screens. They deserve to live. According to Palestine’s head of mental health services doctor Samah Jabr, the standards of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) do not fit Palestinians as “there is no ‘post’ because the trauma is repetitive and ongoing and continuous.” “We’re not going anywhere,” – Alissar Abu Hasna
PAGE 20
FEATURE
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Genele Joseph and William Johnson powering through the pandemic MICHELLE CLARKE michelle@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
During the pandemic Genele Joseph and William Johnson made moves that many couldn’t think about making, never mind actually executing! Let’s read about how this amazing couple, from Ghanian and Grenadian backgrounds, both came up from one of the most violent neighbourhoods in Toronto, Jane and Finch! “Welcome To Toronto Caribbean Newspaper Genele.” I began, “Tell the city about who you are.” “I am a mother of two amazing children: a daughter and son. I am a daughter, sister, friend, and coach. I’m in a committed relationship with a wonderful man, who’s supportive and a visionary himself. I considered myself a visionary all my life; I have had a passion to get things done, especially since my grandmother made it a family tradition from age four to create vision boards. So from a tender age, I started to believe that anything was possible. Despite me dropping out of high school in the 12th grade, having my daughter shortly after, and being pushed to work at a bingo hall, I knew there was more for me. Last year, I came across a Caribbean-American Visionary, Stormy Nicole Wellington (@coachstormy), who now is the TOP Income Earner, as a black woman and woman in the industry of Network Marketing! Coach Stormy puts vision boards into real action by changing lives of 1000s, with @1000Families and @1000BlackMillionaires. People will always critique but she keeps going, because her vision is bigger than her!” Genele tells me about the transition from Social Worker to Independent
Business Owner. “I come from Jane and Finch, and I dropped out of high school at nineteen years old. I had a little girl who was born with Sickle Cell Anemia. So as a young mom, with passion and vision for myself and my daughter, my then Social Worker said she saw something special in me and directed me to her contacts at Ryerson. That is when things really started to shift.” Genele began working and having a positive impact on the lives of the men and women who were involved in gangs/guns, sex-trade and she even had to work with child predators. “When you are a visionary and you want to help the marginalized and vulnerable, but see that the policies in place don’t lend much room for real change and impact, you start to lose your drive to be honest,” Genele relays to me. “One day while scrolling on IG I came across the skin transformation of my now Mentor and Coach, Sharmeeka (@_ bawselady_) Brooks. I wanted to know how that happened. After watching her online and in-boxing her, I realized it was the CBD in the Laso Tea from Total Life Changes. CBD was mentioned a lot in the Sickle Cell community, yet I had no clue how to access it and in safe amounts for my daughter who was often zoned-out because of the opioids she was on.” That marked the beginning of her entrepreneurial venture. In nine months Genele was able to walk away from her underpaid government job, get her baby-girl off the opioids, and she just retired in July 2020 at the tender age of 30! She walked out on faith as a black woman, and life rewarded her for it. She redirected her passion for helping people from a different angle; empowerment through their health. The revenue earned from TLC made way for Genele and her partner, William Johnson to open an African-Caribbean Grocery Store called African Queen at 8975 McLaughlin Rd S in Brampton (@africanqueencaribbeangrocery).
“I make no income claims,” says Genele, now affectionately known as Gen DaBoss (@gendaboss). “It went from a side-hustle, to a hustle that financed opening up a thriving and much needed grocery establishment. Total Life Changes changed our ability to do that.” Both her and her partner know the gang and street life, and they both know “Nothing changes if nothing changes.” Making an intentional decision as a family and with their respective family’s support, they took the first steps to changing the generational wealth and lineage for them and their children. “If you don’t take that first step nothing will get done. Our family support, lots of conversations, prayer and planning have brought us to this moment where we are not just serving our families but our broader community.” Can you tell us about William? Is he around to tell Toronto about the man within this powerful unit of family, love and business? “William is nothing short of amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better man, partner, friend and father. William was long ago in the Gifted Program as a child, but growing up in Jane and Finch still misled him for a bit. He refocused and graduated from York University! Now an active Social Worker, who runs our grocery store he too has other business initiatives.” “Hi William,” I said when he got on the line. “Thank you for your time. Tell us what you think we need to know!” “You’re welcome,” William said graciously, “Thank you! I run a small black business directory on IG that allows me to locate, support and patronize other black-owned businesses, which I call Support Small Business Saturday! This allows us to pay it forward! Acquire the dollar, buy local and keep the dollar black! (@mrgh.enterprise) Selfunderstanding, humility, strength and vision are what make a powerful couple. I know that I could go far alone, but further together is what makes this work.”
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PAGE 22
FEATURE
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
KERN CARTER Leaving his mark in literature’s history “I will settle for nothing less than forever leaving my mark in literature’s history.” When my Classic Man said that his plan is to go down as one of the greatest writers of all time, I had to speak up. “You do realize that you are going to have to surpass me first right.” I couldn’t help it. It was weird hearing someone speak to a dream that you have decided to make your own reality. “Oh really,” he said chuckling, “Well, we are going to have to see about that.” I won’t deny it; I was a little apprehensive writing this feature, only because this edition features a recognized, published writer. Writers are the biggest critics, as they see words differently than most. “I’ve never experienced writer’s block. Most of the time it’s the opposite and I have too much to say.” He was born on July 11th (year unknown), on the beautiful island of Trinidad. He came to Canada when he was six years old, and remembers clearly living in Weston Towers on Weston Rd. His adult life began early because he had his daughter at the tender age of nineteen years old. His life has focused around being a great father, an even better example, and leaving her a legacy that she will be proud of. He has achieved this by becoming a published author, and he will tell you that he actually works fewer hours now and makes more money than he did when he was working multiple jobs. To think, he has achieved this feat by living his purpose, giving in to his passions, and striving to be his very best every day. I would like to introduce to our readers, our Classic Man of the week, the sophisticated storyteller, Mr Kern Carter. I had a chance to do some research on Mr Carter, and one thing can be said about him is that he has an insatiable desire to achieve, and it is all because of one reason; his daughter. “I had my daughter when I
was nineteen years old, ‘’ Kern began. “I dropped out of school and took night school to get my final credit. Being a young father was not easy for me. When she was younger, I’d feel the shame of not being able to give her more.” As close as they are now, as much as they have been through together, and as much as he knows she’s genuinely happy, there’s this constant feeling of guilt and shame that still seems to haunt him. “The guilt comes from so many different places. I felt guilty that I had her as a teenager and didn’t know what the heck I was doing. This innocent child had to endure years of moving from one place to the next, us living with my cousin, back and forth from my mom’s, me working these low paying part-time jobs and barely affording any kind of life past the necessities. I hate even thinking about those times.” Even though he had a child while in high school, Kern had certain dreams that he could not give up on, and this took him away from his daughter for four years. “I played ball; I was really good. I had lots of scholarship offers, but they dropped their offers because I dropped out of high school. Only one school extended their offer to me. I got a scholarship to St. Bonaventure in Western New York. I went out there for four years, played there. I got to travel all across America doing what I loved to do. It was not in the city, so I had to deal with a little culture shock. The school was 95% white, so it was a lot to get used to. It was all right though because the students were cool. I feel guilty that I left her for four years and accepted a university scholarship hundreds of miles away from home. I’d see her for a couple weeks over the summer and listen to her mumble into the phone every week from my dorm room, but I didn’t even feel like a par-
ent. That guilt still rattles me because I could’ve been home helping her live a better life.” He finished his four years of ball and came back home. “I moved into my own place, and then it was about getting my writing career started. Even when I was playing ball, I wanted to be a writer. When I was young, I was super shy. It was a way to express myself. I was always good at writing. I started to learn more about it, all the nuances. It became a way of life for me. I don’t separate what I do from who I am. It is what I feel; there is something about writing that sticks with people. You can read a book and it will change your mind about anything. I wrote my first story in grade three, and it was called the Battle. It was with talking animals. I also wrote a lot of poetry in high school. I had a girlfriend in university, and I used to read to her, it was how we communicated.” He started writing his first book in 2007, “Thoughts of a Fractured soul.” “I used my life as the blueprint. It is about a teenage father named Corey who can’t find himself and makes all the wrong decisions. The book is about failure. How easy is it to just give up? To tell yourself this is too hard or that you don’t deserve something? Corey fights these thoughts every day. He is young, ambitious, and making terrible decisions that set him back further and further from his dreams.” “And your last book,” I inquired, “Tell me some more about the inspiration behind it.” “Beauty Scars’’ was written in 2017, and it is about a young girl named Treasure who gets hit by a car, and she is left more attractive than she was before the accident. It is a love story. The twist is that a boy loses his family in a car accident that happens that same day, they meet, and they fall in love. It was based on the two years of
wildness in my life. I had said no to doing a lot, you know, hanging out, partying. There was a time when I was very committed to my work, but then I started to say yes. I started going out more, doing more. I was also dating a girl who was very beautiful, and very vain. She inspired the character.” All of Kern’s work paid off last year when he finally got himself an agent. “I got my book deal this year with DCB Books. It was so overwhelming. I started running around and crying. There is something magical about setting a goal, and then watching the goal come to fruition. I went to New York, travelled and met agents. I was on the scene for so long, so for it to actually happen, I felt powerful. Through it all, I had my mom who was super-supportive. Naturally, like most West Indian parents, she wanted to make sure that I was doing things to set myself up for success, but she always has been supportive of my writing. Of course, the person who I do this all for, my daughter. There is something about seeing her happy that makes all those years of failure worthwhile, and for that I am thankful.” It was great to meet and speak with another writer who is passionate about words and has used his words to create his legacy.
Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News
www.danforthfoodmarket.com We’re simply the best West Indian store in town.
1
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Pure Heaven Non Alcoholic Wine Assorted 750 ml
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AA-1 Sardines
Assorted 155 g
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1.36 L
150 ml
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FOOD
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Defeat The Heat With Cool Summer Treats
Tips and tricks to stay hydrated
NOEL CUNNINGHAM noel@carib101.com
CULINARY EXPERT
The nights are shorter the days are longer which means the best season of the year is officially here. If you’ve been keeping up with my column you would have realized from early June I was promoting summer meal ideas. Living in Canada let me appreciate this season more, because you get a chance to go place and do things that you can’t do in winter like backyard BBQ, picnics or even camping. The downside to summer is that some days can be super-hot and dry and our body needs to stay hydrated. So, I have prepared some cool foods to defeat the heat. How to lower body heat quickly Eating extra amount of cucumbers can keep your body hydrated. We all heard the saying “as cool as a cucumber” yes it does keep you cool. Watermelon is known as the inside air conditioner. It quenches your thirst and cools you down. Reduce alcohol intake and avoid fatty foods. These will increase your body temperature. Up your lemon game this summer. Citrus has a cooling effect on the body so now you know why lemonade is the preferred summer drink. Indulge in all summer has to offer and stay hydrated by trying these cool treats.
Fruit Kebobs These fruits kebobs are fun to make and can always be made ahead of time for a family day out. Ingredients • 12 red seedless grapes • ½ pineapple diced • 12 green seedless grapes • 12 blackberries • 6 strawberries (hulled and cut in halves)
Orange Juice Popsicle Easy way to add vitamin C to your diet during the hot day in a fun way. Ingredients • Orange juice • Sliced strawberries • Blueberries • Blackberries • Sliced kiwi
Sauce • 1 cup yogurt • 2 tsp honey • 3 tbsp. milk
Directions Fill each popsicle mold or plastic cup with prepared fruits and add orange juice, insert stick and place carefully in the freezer overnight.
Directions 1. Take 12 wooden skewers and thread the fruits in order and serve with yogurt dipping sauce. 2. For the sauce combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
Watermelon Pizza This watermelon pizza is perfect for a hot day outside. It’s not only fun to make but it also keeps you hydrated. Fun way to get the kids to eat their fruits.
Blueberry-Coconut Yogurt Popsicle These popsicles are perfect for the kids or the kid in you instead of ice cream on a hot summer day. They can stay hydrated and healthy with these cool treats. Ingredients • 1 cup coconut Greek yogurt • 1 cup blueberry yogurt • Honey (optional) Directions Fill each popsicle fill mould or cup with blended yogurt. If mould has lid, close lid and insert popsicle sticks. If using a cup after you add all the yogurt insert stick and place carefully in the freezer overnight.
Ingredients • 1 watermelon (round cut or wedges) • ¼ cup coconut yogurt (for spread) • 4 strawberries, sliced in quarters • 4 raspberries cut in half • 8 blueberries • Diced pineapples Directions 1. Cut water melon round in half then cut off a slice of watermelon right down the middle, about 2-3 inches thick. 2. Spread yogurt over the watermelon then add your fruits on top as you desire. Cut melon in 8 pieces and enjoy
Your turn is coming soon.
Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine plan is helping to stop the spread and save lives. Thousands of people across the province are getting vaccinated every day. As vaccinations continue, we need to stay the course to protect those we love. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Find out when, where and how to get vaccinated at ontario.ca/covidvaccineplan or call 1-888-999-6488 for assistance in more than 300 languages.
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Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News
HEALTH
PAGE 29
How diet and inflammation affect colon cancer W. GIFFORDJONES MD DIANA GIFFORD-JONES COMMON SENSE HEALTH
It’s been said, “We are what we eat,” or “garbage in garbage out.” Less catchy advice might be “Eat an anti-inflammatory diet, rather than a pro-inflammatory one.” It could make the difference in the likelihood of developing a malignancy of the large bowel. Not many people realize that if you take away skin cancers, colon cancer is the third most common malignancy in North America. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Oncology, points out a strong association between chronic inflammation and the risk of colon cancer. Researchers at Harvard University discovered that people who had dietary patterns
that triggered chronic inflammation were 32% more likely to develop colon cancer than those who followed a lowered inflammatory diet. Dr. Joel Mason, Director of the Vitamins and Carcinogenesis Laboratory, Tufts University, says, “This study adds to previous evidence that inflammation is an important factor in colon cancer and that a diet with less potential to cause inflammation can decrease the risk.” How did Harvard researchers determine what foods were associated with inflammation and what foods fought it? They analyzed the health and nutrition habits of 120,000 people over a twenty-six-year period. This involved eighteen food groups and tracking how they affected inflammatory markers in the blood. Diets with the lowest level of inflammatory potential were tea, coffee, and dark yellow vegetables, dark and leafy greens. In contrast, diets with the highest level of inflammation included processed meat, red meat and sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages. Overweight or obese males did
not fare well. They were 48% more likely to develop cancer of the colon over the course of the study than those who consumed a low inflammatory diet. But even lean males were at higher risk, although not as much as the obese ones. What about women? It’s strange that being overweight or obese did not increase or decrease the risk of colon malignancy in females. But in lean women who had the most pro-inflammatory diet, there was a 31% greater risk of colon cancer than those who consumed the least inflammatory diet. Researchers were not certain if these findings were related to hormonal changes in women. So, what’s the message? It pays dividends to stay active and not gain weight. This is not the first time nutritionists have told us that leafy green vegetables are more conducive to a longer life and it’s prudent to decrease the amount of red meat consumed. Hopefully it will help make everyone realize that the use of sugar-sweetened beverages is not a healthy habit. An equally strong message re-
mains that North Americans are needlessly dying from colon cancer due to a fear of having a colonoscopy performed. We know that colon cancer begins in a polyp that remains localized, providing ample time for colonoscopy and removal of this lesion. This procedure should be done regularly starting at fifty years of age or younger, and usually ending at seventyfive years. Discuss with your doctor whether this is the age for you to end colonoscopy. If several colonoscopies have been done over the years without any polyps being detected, the decision is usually to stop. The reason being that it’s unlikely one will form after the age of seventy-five and if it does some other event will end life long before a slow growing polyp causes trouble. The discomfort of colonoscopy is miniscule to the suffering of terminal colon cancer. For those dead set against the procedure, stool card tests done at home are an option. Never, fall into the trap of skipping these life-saving tests.
Gut, heart and mental health: The relationship, Part One MICHELLE CLARKE michelle@carib101.com
HOLISTIC CORNER
Welcome June! Jump In June! I bring it to you straight no chaser about the part that literal make us jump! Our Brain and Gut! Over the next several issues we will be understanding the interconnected dependence that the gut, heart, and brain have with each other, and how we can address bringing balance to all three, naturally, effectively and fairly quickly. Since 60% – 90% of serotonin is produced in the digestive tract/gut through an intricate biochemical process with the brain and blood. Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HTP) is a neurotransmitter, the main hormone that stabilizes the mood of well-being and happiness throughout the entire human body (depression, anxiety and excessive anger); cognition, key physiological processes,
learning/memory; the body’s ability to heal wounds/the blood’s ability to clot, breastmilk production sleep and wake patterns (insomnia), our endocrine system and key to a well-functioning digestive system. Serotonin comes from amino acids, CBD, prebiotics, and probiotics, and so much more. Which means that enough serotonin will allow you to feel happier, more focused, less anxious, more emotionally balanced, and being able to sleep well. Alcohol negatively alters the neurotransmitters in the brain which actually adds to increased anxiety. The benchmark of “normal” serotonin levels is 101-283 nanogram per millimeter. Though it’s good to note that many studies still conflict on how to measure the brains serotonin levels in humans thus why it’s unclear as to how and if prescription antidepressants actually work. ANYWAYS! Now let’s get back to the connections and relationships...but I am sure you’re already seeing it for yourself. Here are some ways to increase serotonin: enjoying nature, sunlight/vitamin D which is key in helping the body convert tryptophan to serotonin, add quality and preferably liquid vitamin D, Iron, B6, B12, supplements to your daily regime, get a massage, exercise, meditate, listen to calm-
ing and uplifting music, focus on the positive, practice mindful and intentional gratitude, set goals and achieve them, talk to a therapist/counsellor/pastor/social worker, try new things, add turmeric to your diet, cook with coconut, olive or avocado oil, spirulina chlorella, medicinal mushrooms, nuts and seeds, herbal teas, leafy greens, salmon or sardines, 5-HTP, digestive enzymes, malic acid, magnesium, pre and probiotics. Because the neuro pathways are more from the heart to the brain and the heart gets its signals and elements by the nutrients released from the gut. It is important to increase intake of selenium rich ingredients selenium plays a key role in metabolism, thyroid function, and oxidative stress/asthma, increased immune systems support, delays age-related cognitive decline, and reduces risk of heart disease and inflammation. Selenium can be introduced by consuming fish, sunflower seeds, and Shiitake mushrooms for example. Low and deficient levels of serotonin and selenium actually causes the heart to over-work and use a lot of valuable oxygen depriving other cells of equal oxygen access. Interesting fact about Selenium:
foods that provide quality and sufficient selenium levels, largely depend on the quality of soil used to grow the food! Vitamin D must know: Vitamin D plays a key role for mineral and nutrient absorbency and assisting in the processes mentioned above. Vitamin D is also directly correlated to Iron levels! I hope I’ve laid a useful foundation to help you understand what I will start to highlight next. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies have a fundamental impact on emotional and environmental stress, anxiety and depression. In 2013, the global vitamin D deficiency levels effected 1 billion people! Imagine that number now! Vitamin D deficiency looks like “normal,” human behaviour and mis-labeled illnesses, diseases, and symptoms such as extreme irritability, chronic pain, high blood pressure, sadness, daytime sleepiness, muscle and nerve tissue weakness, lowered endurance, bone density decline. I hope this short read has be insightful and impactful!? Talk to you soon. I welcome emails and inquires! Until next time at Holistic Health Corner. Suggested Gratitude Exercise: Write down three things you’re thankful for every night for thirty days.
BUDGET 2021
Fighting Systemic Racism and Supporting Black Canadian Communities
$200 million to Employment and Social Development Canada to establish a Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund. $172 million to Statistics Canada to implement an action plan to improve the collection of disaggregated, race-based data. $100 million to Employment and Social Development Canada for the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative $51.7 million, starting in 2021-22 for the Black Entrepreneurship Program.
$11 million, starting in 2021-22, to expand the impact of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
$100 million to the Public Health Agency of Canada to support projects for innovative mental health interventions for populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including racialized and Black Canadians.
Kamal Khera Member of Parliament |Brampton West 905-454-4758
Kamal.Khera@parl.gc.ca
KamalKheraLib KamalKheraLiberal @KamalKheraLib
COMMUNITY
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 31
Asking the right questions to aid in your entrepreneurial success DAVID ANDERSON d_anderson@carib101.com
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
You can be anything you want to be in life. Remember when people used to say that? For some reason, as I have gotten older I’ve heard that saying less and less. In fact, as you get older society will tell you what you can and cannot do. Society will already have set limitations for you based on your age, the way you dress, the colour of your skin, where you live and the type of education you have. This is called judgment. We are all judged whether we like it or not. Many of us put pressure on ourselves to be liked by those we admire. This started when we were children constantly seek-
ing attention and validation. We seek validation from our parents, teachers, friends, colleagues, boss and teammates. You will start to build confidence by being accepted and congratulated by your peers. Be wary of false confidence for it can lead to your downfall. Surround yourself with people that have your best interest in mind. False confidence stems from being around those who are afraid to be honest and tell you that you are wrong. You will never learn from your mistakes and be successful if you’re always the smartest one in the room. People who are successful are never comfortable where they are. They know that there are more opportunities, and higher levels to reach. Nobody ever got everything they wanted by doing nothing they needed. How long can you stay in uncomfortable positions if you were promised a reward at the end? How long would you stay uncomfortable if you were promised no rewards? You see we often shy away from self-development because it would require us to actually work hard, plan, set goals and self reflect.
Food for thought: Many people thought they were a successful entrepreneur or business with unlimited potential until COVID-19 happened. People went out of business because they were not proactively improving their services, partnerships, social media presence, brand engagement and marketing strategies. Some people did not use their time at home to seek personal and professional help. Instead, they complained and ate unhealthy foods. Implementing a healthy routine to your day will improve your self-esteem, physical looks, cognitive functions and pain tolerance. Challenging yourself physically everyday will allow you to focus on the goals at hand with a constant reminder that it takes hard work and dedication to be successful. Confidence is built by navigating and adapting in times of chaos and uncertainty. This does not mean accepting what the world has to offer, but staying ready for what’s next. COVID-19 has definitely been a learning lesson for the world. Many people lost homes due to lack of financial preparation and many educated
themselves and bought real estate. Family engagement went up as many people worked out together, cooked and had game nights. Now I’m going to ask, do you truly believe you can do anything you want to do? Do you still dream at night? Are you a goal chaser? Identify your strengths and weaknesses so that you can begin to improve or develop new skills. Figure out who can support and motivate you when you are down. Tackle your weaknesses one day at a time, one hour at a time and one minute at a time. Understand that it will be a process. Babies crawl and fall many times before they can walk. It takes months of balancing, falling and optimism before we are confident enough to walk on our own. It’s okay to want more than you have as long as you understand the type of dedication is needed to be successful. You are your only competition in life and your goal is to be better than you were yesterday. Thank you for reading entrepreneurial minds with David Anderson.
LIFE
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 33
Don’t argue for your limitations DANIEL COLE
daniel@carib101.com
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Every excuse deterring you from living the life of your dream is valid, but you have a choice; you either have excuses or you have results, but you can’t always have both. In the words of Richard Bach, “If you argue for your limitations, you get to keep them.” The reality is, no one is insulated from the challenges and the uncertainties of life; winter comes for us all. The great Jim Rohn has rightly said, “Don’t wish things were easier, wish you were better. Don’t wish for less problems, wish for more skills. Don’t wish for less challenge, wish for more wisdom” You are called for a higher life,
you are created for impact and relevance, and anything less than that is suboptimal to your existence. You have to rise above your limits; you have to defy the odds. All circumstances may not line up in your favour, but you need to find a way to win. John Foppe, born with no arms, wrote in his book, “What’s Your Excuse?” “My life reflects a tremendous balance of extremes. Your life may not have a pendulum that swings quite so broadly, but of this I am certain: you have lows and highs, problems and triumphs, limitations and strengths, liabilities and assets. We all do. I’ve come to appreciate an equal certainty: every time a door seems to be shut tightly, a window is waiting to be opened. Every time a problem seems to be unsolvable, an option, perhaps unusual or never before tried, is waiting to be discovered and pursued.” We will all fail our way to success, whatever success means to you. Life won’t have it easy on you because you have a disadvantaged background, and sometimes,
the pain you will go through may not be the consequences of your own choices; it may be that of others. You see, life sometimes is not fair, but you will need to grow tough skin if you’re going to make your life count. Don’t accept mediocrity or barely getting by as your lot in life. Reach for the best. There is no greater regret and agony than coming to the end of life only to realize you’ve only lived a fraction of God’s intended purpose for your life. Ask yourself, if the stars lined up, what will you reach for? I encourage you to dig up the buried dreams. You were born for such a time as this. The onus is on you to rise to your higher calling and leave a footprint in this world. When it is all said and done, what will this world remember you for? Remember, you will always have one thousand and one reasons for not succeeding or advancing your life, but no statue has ever been raised in honour of people with great excuses. Don’t argue for your limitations.
Take risks! Fail, but fail forward and fail faster. Theodore Roosevelt has rightly said, “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failures than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the great twilight that knows not victory or defeat.” A life spent making mistakes is more honourable than a life spent doing nothing. Simon Sinek said, “Always plan for the fact that nothing ever goes according to plan.” The goal is not to be cynical about life but to embrace the harsh reality that life is tough, uncertain and hard. Some have it worse, but they’ve succeeded despite contrary circumstances. Read the story of the great Abraham Lincoln, George Washington Carver, Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Helen Keller, and other heroes of history. If you argue for your limitations, you get to keep them. Whatsoever the cards life dealt you, play it well. Be tough, be strong, and be courageous.
PAGE 34
LIFE
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Stuck in the middle of a riot; Part IV; reliving my past trauma SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
HUMAN SPECIALIST
It was complete and utter chaos. The burning bed had ignited. The women had begun to throw things onto the fire to keep it going. The smell was toxic. I am not sure what they had added, but it smelled like plastic, or something similar to plastic. I looked ahead of me; there was only one more girl ahead of me to use the phone. I was so close. I just wanted to hear a familiar voice. What are the odds that I end up in a Panamanian prison, and a civil war breaks loose? I had been here for two weeks now, and I had just started to get used to what was now my new normal. I was in bed by 9:30 pm each night. I would lie there, tossing and turning on the thin mattress for about thirty minutes to an hour before I fell asleep. Then, I was up early 5:30 am or so, bathing, eating, and then spending the rest of the day trying to figure out how the hell I got there. If you have been following my story for the last few weeks, you will know that I had put myself into quite a predicament.
Me, Simone Jennifer Smith, stuck in a Panamanian prison, serving time for something that I had not done. The most interesting thing about my predicament was, I was arrested for something that I had not done. Now, I find it quite hilarious, but in the moment I didn’t. I keep saying to myself that if I had actually been arrested for the things that I was doing, I would not be here writing for you right now. That is how God works. Sometimes, when he wants to get your attention, he will throw things in your path, nothing that will seriously hurt you, but something that will get your attention. Well God, I thought to myself, as I waited for a phone in the middle of a riot, you have my attention. Finally, the girl on the phone hung up, and the one girl in front of me stepped up for her turn to use the phone. It was getting dark, and I wondered how crazy it was going to get around nightfall. To be honest, I was a little worried. I had watched the prisoners escort the correctional officers out of the prison, which meant that there was no authority around. It was complete anarchy. I glanced up at the girl on the phone. She was chatting away, her arms waving enthusiastically. Whoever she was talking to seemed very excited by what she was saying. I think that she was telling them about what was going on. I turned away and looked at the line that was form-
ing behind me. It was about ten girls deep now, and all of them were looking anxious, wanting to get on the phone. The girl hung up and stepped out of the way. Finally, it was my turn. I stepped up into the room and picked up the phone. Now that I was here, I had no idea who to call. I wanted to call my parents, but I didn’t want to tell them that I was stuck in the middle of a riot. I knew that my parents were already going through a lot; hearing this would not be good for them. I decided to call David. It rang twice, and then he picked up on the third ring…. “Hello!” “David,” I gasped. “It’s me. Simone.” I heard nothing for a second. The phone was eerily quiet. “Simone,” I finally heard him say. “Sim!” I started to cry. Hearing his voice instantly brought me peace. “David. It’s me. I just wanted to let you know that all hell has broken loose over here. I am stuck in the middle of a riot, and I needed to speak to someone. I love you, and I want you to know that.” For the next five minutes, the whole world around me had stopped.
Can you handle your truth that is the question? GARCIA AKUA
garcia@carib101.com
COSMIC CORNER
Peace, love and light Star family! I hope this finds you well and you still have your wits. June is an action packed month! We are halfway through the fiscal year and in the middle of eclipse and Gemini season. We closed out the month of May with a Full Moon eclipse. Eclipse seasons bring resets, push us out of our comfort zones and bring revelations of truth. Gemini, the first air sign of the zodiac, is symbolized as the twins. The air element represents knowledge and information. The twins bring a playful outlook on life, they show us that our youthful curiosity can show us the big picture to the truth. After our first eclipse many revelations have come to surface. We are hearing results of the side effects of vaccines. Fauci’ emails have been exposed and most recently the shocking revealing of the mass graves of children. Secrets are being exposed, Gemini season is airing it all out. Gemini is the sign of communication, transportation and community. It is ruled by Mercury, the planet of information, communication and technology. As we can see what’s happening in the world
today is a reflection of the energy in the cosmos. To add to the mix, Mercury has gone retrograde. There’s a lot of mainstream chat every time this season comes around. Everyone wants to blame Mercury for miscommunications, blasts from the past and technology breaking down. The fact is when planets go retrograde, they slow down which means we should also slow down and pay attention. In this case, Mercury has gone retrograde in its home sign of Gemini. We need to slow down and listen to what is really being said and find the truth. Mercury joins Pluto and Saturn in the retrograde party. Pluto rules death, rebirth and transformation. Saturn governs our karma, boundaries and restrictions. With Mercury now in retrograde as well, communication and how communication travels are added to the mix. It’s time to slow down and pay attention. What does truth sound like to you? How has your truth informed your transformations in life? What boundaries do you need to put in place to protect your truth? We can’t be rushing through life, taking other people’s directions. We will never truly know where we are heading. Our thoughts shape our reality, truth fuels our passions. We need to be clear with ourselves first about what we value and want out of life. The truth is for decades our governments have known about the atrocities aboriginal people have faced on their own lands in this country. They have known
the impacts the genocide commited has caused. Yet it is now, once the graves of children speak out to us, that the government wants to talk back. All these voices yet no action. Fauci’s emails reveal a lot of misinformation has been going around adding to more confusion and hesitancy around the whole pandemic. Reports of vaccines causing more serious side effects are also coming out. Once again all these voices, all these “facts” but no action. We all have our own secrets and shadows we have to face in life. We can keep talking about it or we can take the words and move to action. What do you have buried in your past that you are afraid of addressing? Where is your transformation buried within you? What can you do to decrease your own karmic footprint? Slow down and listen to your own voice and move to action. We have another New Moon eclipse on June 10th. This will be an opportunity to set intentions around speaking your truth, the good, bad and the ugly. Owning your truth is the first step in taking your power back and initiating your rebirth and transformation. When you stand on your truth, it cannot be used against you. Don’t let the graves of your youth speak out against your future. Don’t wait to be exposed to continue the conversation. Stop, slow down, listen and then move to stand on your truth. We can let the past restrict us or inform us. Can you handle your truth, that’s the question.
LIFE
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News
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Enhancing social, academic and entrepreneurial skills; Summer Leadership Program offered by Toronto District School Board PAUL JUNOR
paul@carib101.com
YOUTH EDUCATION
For many years, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has been a leader in the development of policies, programs and practices to help its most underserved and marginalized students. Prior to the pandemic, under the leadership of its former Director, Dr. John Malloy initiated a Multi-Year Strategic Plan in 2018 after extensive public consultations and recommendations from its Enhancing Equity Task Force. On June 17th, 2020, the TDSB announced the creation of the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, which was the first of its kind in public education in Canada.
John Malloy states, “The new Centre of Excellence will provide another way for us not only to confront anti-black racism, but to be more accountable to black students and their families.” In addition, Colleen Russel-Rawlins, the former Associate Director, Equity, Well-Being and School Improvement states, “It is critical that the centre hold a mirror up to us as leaders about the way in which anti-black racism manifests itself in TDSB, so we can become more responsive to and accountable for dismantling it while simultaneously providing a space of hope, agency and change for black students and their families.” One of the positive benefits for black students is the involvement of graduation coaches who are connected with the Centre of Excellence. They are able to provide support for black students in TDSB schools to combat racism, navigate complaint processes, identify barriers to success and access appropriate resources (e.g., scholarship, networking and mentoring).
There are five of them that work with the Centre of Excellence and are assigned to schools over Toronto. The importance of graduation coaches for black students resulted from studies by Professor Carl James and others which show that BIPOC students have significantly lower graduation rates than students from dominant cultures. The Ministry of Education provided $1.5 million starting in March 2020 to eight boards to have these coaches work with black students. Keisha Evans is one of the graduation coaches who has been assigned to two high schools, Albert Campbell in Scarborough and A.Y. Jackson in North York. She told CBC in an interview about her experiences working with black students, “You’d be surprised at how many students reached out and said I need this support. I’m so happy that you are here.” She knows the importance of black students feeling connected and having a sense of belonging. “If someone has been told they don’t belong for so long we’re now coming in and saying, No, you do be-
long! You can do better! It’s not just hey, we’re going to get you to graduation, but successfully get you to graduation.” I interviewed Keisha about the Black Students Summer Leadership Program and she told me it will be a five-week long paid employment from July 5th, 2021, to August 6th, 2021. She states that students will gain work experiences from diverse fields such as: media, film, STEM, IT, construction trade, medical and community health. These are occupational sectors where there is underrepresentation of blacks. About 100 black students will be able to work virtually in environments that may or may not black-owned. They are currently being interviewed for these positions from diverse areas of Toronto, especially from marginalized at-risk communities. Keisha believes that these opportunities will “Provide these students with experiences so that they can see themselves represented in positive ways that will build their self-esteem, confidence, resilience and sense of belonging.”
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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
There is no stopping Gabrielle’s Gay Passion for Literacy LA SHAWNA GRIFFITH lashawna@carib101.com
SPOTLIGHT FEATURE
Gabrielle Gay is the founder of the Gabrielle Gay Reading Literacy Award and an ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation. This phenomenal woman was a part of the Queen’s Young Leader Award where she had the opportunity to meet the Queen of England, Her Majesty II. I decided that a young woman of this caliber who is not only a Barbadian, but represents her country daily as an aspiring attorney at law, would be fitting for this week’s Spotlight Feature as she allows young black girls in Barbados and the Caribbean to dream. In conducting the interview, the first thing that I noticed about Gabrielle Gay is her smile. Her smile is indeed infectious, and it lit up the interview. Speaking about how she began her award, “The Gabrielle Gay Reading Literacy Award,” which she founded at the age of thirteen years old, she said that she was perplexed that her peers did not appreciate reading in the
same way that she did. “I was perplexed that my contemporaries did not love reading like I did, and I was heavily bullied for my love of education. That hurt fueled me to rise up for change even as a young teenager. I painstakingly saved up my meagre allowance. The students and parents loved it and it developed quickly over the years. It is now implemented in over 118 primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. We promote literacy and mental health via our awards, coupled with reading and leadership mentorship sessions in schools. We partnered with leading psychologists to mentor remedial readers. We also give parents assistance, partner with Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and corporate entities to donate books for libraries. We pay school tuitions and buy uniforms and schools for students in Sierra Leone, India, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Ghana, Tanzania, Jamaica, Malawi, and Vanuatu. Our key focus is young people, the marginalized and disadvantaged groups such as women and people with disabilities.” Gay said that she realized that she wanted to become an advocate to assist students of colour in their literacy journey, as the educational system in Barbados cannot do it alone. “I quickly recognized that our education system is in crisis and we cannot de-
pend on Governments alone to stabilize it. We must rise up for change and unite in this regard. The lack of access to resources, particularly for students of colour, continues to plague the educational infrastructure, exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I knew that I wanted to do more than just have a programme, I needed to advocate relentlessly for quality education for all. I truly believe that Sustainable Development Goals will only be successful by 2030 if we rally together and painstakingly advocate for intellectual equality for all.” This inspiring young woman continued to share her light in the interview as she opened up about her ambassadorship as a member of the World Literacy Foundation. She revealed that her friend and Miss Barbados World 2020 Chè Greenidge told her about it. “My beautiful, amazing friend Chè Greenidge, Miss Barbados World 2020 and founder of the Deaf Heart Project, came across the official call for World Literacy Ambassadors from the World Literacy Foundation. She then sent me the link and said, ‘Gabby this is for you.’ So, I filled out the application form and hoped for the best. A few months later, I received an email in my inbox notifying me that I was selected. What made the occasion even more momentous is being selected from
over 4,800 shortlisted applicants of the best in literacy worldwide and being the first-ever Barbadian education programme of its kind to hold this prestigious post is truly humbling.” Gay recently attended the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum. She explained how her experience was attending the event. “This was one of the most unique and thrilling experiences ever. One of the most fun memorable sessions was the speed networking sessions, where the platform randomly paired you with another youth leader from anywhere in the world, to discuss strategies for three minutes. It was so exciting because you did not know who you would meet, or their interest beforehand. I met and connected with fantastic youth leaders from India, Peru, the United Kingdom and America to name a few! It was a fantastic experience and the event itself also broke records as the largest single convention of youth leaders in the history of the United Nations, so it was incredible to be a part of that moment.” Outside of being an advocate for literacy and aspiring lawyer, Gabrielle Gay said that she is a warm and bubbly person, who loves reading the Bible, a good laugh and an intense workout session at the gym. To follow her on her journey follow @gabriellegay_ on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Team 6love; helping our communities reconnect during the pandemic GLORIA O’KOYE
gloria@carib101.com
CREATIVE SPEAK
Toronto, a city full of stories from different walks of life, places, and experiences within the services and programs the city and government provide. Since the beginning of 2020, there are flaws that have been revealed within our systems. There were plenty of issues that advocates had been doing their best to raise awareness on, though many times it fell on deaf ears or was partially taken seriously. One of the hidden blessings I found during this time is how much people are taking the time to take notice,
research and from time to time stand up for the voiceless. Without the usual distractions of hangout spots etc., people have started to become more familiar with their surroundings and look upon domestic and international issues. Even though there are cons when it comes to this new phenomenon of social media advocacy, there are also benefits and extra support for those who have been advocating for certain social issues. With the lockdown orders and protests, there had been much chaos with people’s mental health and wellbeing. Another troubling revelation with the pandemic is how the city is dealing with our vulnerable population. Now that capacities in shelters have been cut down, more folks find themselves struggling with meeting their basic needs. Our city has been losing people to overdosing and essential workers are pleading for help. Something needs to be done and we as people must take the necessary steps to do so!
I have a dear friend and I want to share their up-and-coming non-for-profit organization. I hope that one day they will do more in-depth in their story but for the readers, please take in their story and look deeper into how you can support and give back to the community. I present to you a message from Jay Grizzly, the founder of 6love. “It all stems from growing up in government housing and also being homeless in 2017. That experience opened my eyes, and I realized first-hand that homeless shelters are understaffed and there are not many resources there. It’s hard to come out of that situation. I have seen a lot of good people stuck because the homeless shelter system needs more attention or people that can help. Giving up wasn’t a plan for me, however, I recognize a lot have other issues that need focus on like mental health, but don’t have the resources to use. Eventually, I want to touch on all areas regarding mental health from the
youth and work our way up to adults. We need to start to connect even though it’s a pandemic. We all need help regardless. I want to see 6Love be a bridge for others to connect through us and be able to ask for help cause that’s hard to do, ask for help! 6love is a not-for-profit organization that is based in the heart of GTA. We are dedicated to serving the underserved residents that are within our communities. Our commitment is to support the shelters and the people by providing self-care packages every four months for the time being. To do so, we kindly request the support of the community that is able to contribute by donating supplies, which we will update on our social media page. We will also document through pictures and videos to show our progress. Thank you so much!” You can reach out to 6love on their Instagram: @6lovetoronto
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News
Developing your toolkit for success TARA MYSHRALL tara@carib101.com
COMPELLED TO CHANGE Ever wonder what makes some people successful and others not? It comes back to key skills that everyone is capable of developing. Here’s a list of my top three skills to help develop your capacity for success in your career, relationships and life. Skill #1: Create positive relationships and trust Whether you are an entrepreneur, CEO or parent, taking the time to develop positive relationships will set you apart and have many benefits. By asking people how they are doing, being present and actually demonstrating that you care, you are able to create positive relationships everywhere you go. Listening for things that are not said also helps you develop your interpersonal skills and show people that you can be trusted. This will help you expand your network and create meaningful relationships that build empathy and connection. This is key if you are selling a service, starting a relationship or speaking with someone you have just met. Part of creating positive relationships and trust includes being present. So often, it’s easy to become distracted by your phone, to-do list and emails you need to send or distracting relationships that take up mental space. This lack of presence can be felt by the people you are interacting with and it leads to disconnection and a lack of trust. This also affects you directly, as it’s often an indicator that you are lacking presence for yourself and your own needs. Make sure that you value your selfcare, get enough rest, sleep and quiet time to refuel and focus your mind, heart and soul. This will help you be able to be present and create positive and trusting relationships in your life.
Skill #2 : Perspective One thing that successful people do all the time is think about how they can be of service. When we show up with this attitude, it erases any idea of a power paradigm and allows people to meet on common ground. Everything you do should come from a place of service, where both people are seeking a positive outcome and wanting to find a mutually beneficial solution. By using the perspective of being of service, you are able to discover solutions that others might overlook, ignore or not be open to. This perspective allows you to find subtle differences, remove barriers and create custom solutions based on the situation at hand. By refusing to approach a situation with a one-size-fits-all perspective, you are able to open yourself up to infinite possibilities that are win-win for everyone involved. Skill #3 : Empathetic listening It’s shocking how many people in the world don’t actually know how to listen. Many people try to be the loudest and think that they need to shout, interrupt or demean others in order to be heard. But this type of communication does not support success in life. In fact, it’s actually the opposite. Being respectful, showing up and being completely present helps create the relationships that you are looking for. Putting your phone away and out of reach shows people that you see them and value what they have to say. Empathetic listening is different from sympathetic listening. Sympathy is actually disempowering because you are feeling sorry for someone and often are thinking that you are better than them. This is an unequal power dynamic that doesn’t feel good for anyone. Instead, try empathetic listening, where you are able to empathize with what the other person is saying, without having to offer a solution, fix things or interrupt their experience. Part of empathetic listening is also reframing what you hear and reflecting it back to the person speaking. Often, people just want to be seen and heard. Whether it’s a client, your kid or a friend, empathetic listening is a powerful skill that successful people use all the time. Give these skills a try and see how it goes!
Body positivity: how to set a good example for your children As a parent, you play a major role in the development of your child’s self-esteem, and it’s important to remember that children tend to imitate the behaviours of the adults in their life. If you want to be a positive role model and avoid inadvertently harming your child’s body image, here are some things you can do. Value the person rather than their appearance Instead of complimenting people on their physical attributes, show admiration for traits such as their generosity, courage, creativity or sense of humour. This applies to public figures as well as the people in your daily life. In hearing you speak positively about people of different genders, sizes, ethnicities and ages, your children will learn that everyone deserves respect, regardless of what they look like.
Learn to accept yourself for who you are If your child hears you berate yourself for gaining weight or catches you sighing each time you spot a new wrinkle, they’ll be more likely to develop a critical view of their own body. That being said, learning to love yourself as you are is easier said than done. Take some time to reflect on the source of your negative body image, learn to compliment yourself as you would a friend and focus on adopting healthy lifestyle habits. Finally, be sure to remind your child that no one is perfect. Explain that most pictures in magazines and online have been retouched, and that the overly muscular or slender physique of characters in their favourite cartoons and video games are often unrealistic. By having these conversations and setting a good example, you can help your child build a healthy body image.
LIFE
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Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Invasive insects in Central Canada If a non-native species is introduced to a new ecosystem, it can wreak havoc on the environment. Since it generally has no natural predators, there’s nothing to stop it from rapidly increasing its population and taking over the territory. Here are two invasive insects that pose a threat in Central Canada.
3 native evergreen shrubs to grow in the Pacific Northwest Do you want to adorn your yard with plants indigenous to your area? If so, you’re not alone. Landscaping with native plants is on the rise among eco-conscious gardeners. Here are three evergreen shrubs that feel right at home in the Pacific Northwest. Also called California huckleberry, this shrub has small dark green leaves that develop a bronze tinge in winter. By late summer, its delicate pinkish-white bell flowers give way to succulent black berries that can be used to make jams and jellies. With leaves reminiscent of holly and tiny yellow flowers that bloom in spring, this
evergreen shrub will add interest to your yard year-round. While not part of the gra pe family, it does produce similar-looking purple-blue berries that are edible but quite tart. This dense evergreen can be used as a natural windbreak or privacy screen, and its tolerance to salt spray makes it a good fit for coastal areas. The shrub’s glossy green leaves are pleasantly aromatic, and it produces bumpy purple berries in the fall. For help planting and maintaining the shrubs on your property, hire a local landscaping company.
EMERALD ASH BORER These metallic green beetles tunnel under the bark of healthy ash trees. Their larvae feed on the inner bark, killing the tree within a few years. Signs of an infestation include tiny D-shaped holes in the bark, but early detection is difficult. Since emerald ash borers live and breed in wood, the most effective way to prevent their spread is to avoid moving firewood from one area to another.
SCARLET LILY BEETLE Red on top and black underneath, these tiny beetles have an insatiable appetite for lily leaves. If left unchecked, they’ll devour a plant’s entire foliage, leaving just a bare stem. Since the larvae also feed on leaves, as well as buds, flowers and stems, they can do a lot of damage in a short period of time. Lily plants should therefore be frequently checked for signs of infestation, including holes in the lea ves and soft, brown masses.
Homeowners can help protect Central Canada’s biodiversity by learning how to identify the presence of invasive species on their property and promptly addressing infestations.
FUN
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 | www.TOCaribNews.com | Toronto Caribbean News
PAGE 39
WEEK OF JUNE 6 TO JUNE 12, 2021
ARIES
The luckiest signs this week: CANCER, LEO AND VIRGO
You’ll keep certain feelings to yourself, but sometimes talking things out can be very liberating. This is how you’ll manage to ease your anxiety and improve your wellbeing.
TAURUS
Double check your invoices. You might notice a big mistake that will help you save money later on or even allow you to negotiate better services in the future.
PUZZLE NO. 737 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 737
HOW TO PLAY :
GEMINI
Even if you have plenty of ideas and solutions in mind, you won’t be able to satisfy everyone. There will be times when you simply have to make a decision to keep things moving forward.
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.
CANCER
You’ll need a second cup of coffee on a few occasions this week to help you remain focused and complete your todo list. Confusion will be a recurring feeling.
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.
LEO
You’ll be feeling a lot of stress this week. All the more reason to unwind with a trip to the spa or your massage therapist. Bring a loved one along and just relax.
VIRGO
PUZZLE NO. 27 41. Every individual 45. As well 48. Periods of time 50. Halloween shout 51. Bright light 52. Bargain offer 53. First gear 54. Bell sound 55. Large quantity 56. Wing shape
ACROSS 1. Tack on 4. Took advantage of 8. Walk aimlessly 12. Split ____ soup 13. Long skirt 14. Model T, e.g. 15. Kind of tree
16. Purple fruit 17. List component 18. Platter 20. Madison Avenue employee 22. Consented 24. Future flower 27. Off the right
road 30. Prayer’s beads 32. Late 33. “Home on the ____” 34. Approved 36. Quarreled 37. Verve 38. Most certain 40. Play a guitar
DOWN 1. Parodied 2. Lunchtime stop 3. Barriers 4. Ref’s cousin 5. Annual income 6. Give off 7. Darker 8. Precipitation 9. Not at home 10. Had wings 11. Pop’s mate 19. Laurel’s partner 21. Cherishes 23. Most festive 24. Ensemble 25. Compulsion
26. Changed the color of 27. Upon 28. Welfare 29. Ensnare 31. Cook in butter 35. Pressure 36. Mare or hen 39. Rustic 40. Melody 42. Up to the task 43. Chilly
44. Wolf call 45. Connecting word 46. Floral garland 47. Mama’s boy 49. Mend
ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 27
You’ll be in charge of an important meeting at work. It’ll be a huge success, and you’ll demonstrate skills that put you in the running for a promotion and a salary increase.
LIBRA
The summer holidays are almost here, at least for your young children. This will allow you to slow down, shake off certain responsibilities and enjoy the present moment.
SCORPIO
You’ll spend more time than expected financing a project that’s dear to you. A conflict could arise between you and your significant other regarding your relationship.
SAGITTARIUS
Thanks to your negotiation skills, you’ll sign some very satisfying agreements with new clients. Salespeople will dread negotiating with you, as you give them very little leeway.
CAPRICORN
You’ll be working a lot of overtime, which will help you save up for your next vacation, despite the extra pressure it puts on you at work.
AQUARIUS
You’ll be making some important decisions about your career and your health. Adopting lifestyle habits more in line with your goals will produce fairly quick results.
PISCES
A family member will make you proud. One of your children may take their first steps or achieve something at school. An upcoming move will be a source of stress.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING
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REAL ESTATE
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Mutated housing market receives a shot in the arm JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com
REAL ESTATE PRO
On June 1st, 2021, the authorities introduced the stress test. The intention of the stress test is to simulate a buyer’s ability to repay a mortgage in case the interest rate climbs. The new qualifying rate is now 5.25% or two percentage points higher than the borrower’s mortgage rate, whichever is higher. The qualifying rate is the throttle that regulates the flow of qualified buyers into the market place. With less buyers, it is believed that the housing demands will decrease and the market will relax. The market has begun to cool a little. In April, the number of homes sold dropped by 12.5% compared to March. The housing supply increased but prices still remained high. The Canadian Real Estate Association’s chair, Cliff Stevenson, mentioned that “While housing markets across Canada remain very active, there is growing evidence that some of the extreme imbalances of the last year are beginning to
unwind, which is what everyone wants to see happen.” Looking back, the pandemic was a perfect storm for the real estate market. About 10% of the housing supply usually comes from seniors who sell their homes and move into retirement residences. Most of these seniors have changed their minds and kept their homes. Many other sellers avoid selling because they are afraid of catching the virus by exposing their homes to the public. This shortage created scarcity. The government slashed interest rates to stimulate the market, and the low interest rate became a fertile ground for the market to mutate. The exponential growth encouraged speculating which further depleted the stock. Bidding wars emerged and house prices, even now, continue to climb. The quickest way to vaccinate the market is by using the stress test. The stress test does not affect the interest rate buyers have negotiated. Currently, a buyer can arrange a five-year fixed mortgage for as low as 1.74%. However, it affects how much money they can borrow. For example, $100,000 mortgage at 1.74%, calculated over twenty-five years works out to a monthly payment of $411.32. Using the new qualifying rate, the monthly payment jumps to $599.25, an equivalent of 45.7% increase. Without the stress test, a buyer would need an income of $22,000,
per $100,000 to qualify but with the new rule, they would require an income of $29,000. If the income requirement is not there to carry the mortgage based on the qualifying rate, the lender will disapprove the mortgage. A buyer must then search for a cheaper home. This should cause home prices to deflate slightly. In 2018, the stress test was first introduced for insured mortgages that catered for buyers with less than 20% down. This time around, it applies to all buyers. Originally, it did chill the market but then home prices began to head upwards. The new stress test will have a similar effect, easing the flow of buyers into the marketplace. The stress test is similar to building a dam across a river. Initially, it will control the flow of buyers, providing a temporary solution for a colossal problem. It is ironic that this test will affect buyers who need a boost instead of a gash in order to buy. Buyers who are wealthier can increase their down payment to compensate for mortgage shortfall. However, buyers who do not have reserved cash to bolster their buying power are forced to settle for a less desirable property. Some will be compelled to rent, thereby denying an opportunity to own a home. Others who bought a less desirable home will eventually sell in the future in order to buy the
home they had wanted in the first place. My advice to buyers is to buy what you are qualified for. Have faith. You may have to settle for what you can afford. What is most important, especially for first time buyers, is to become a homeowner. For homeowners who are retiring and hope to downsize, consider moving away from the city. One of my clients sold his condo in Toronto for $550,000 and used $300,000 to buy a home in Sudbury and the remainder to buy a second home in Texas. He enjoys his summers in Sudbury and his winters in Texas. Another idea is partnership buying. For example, two friends, each paying $2,000 in rent, pooled their funds together and used their combined income to buy a two-family home. They are hoping that in the future, they can work out an arrangement to invest in a second home. With this type of relationship, it’s best to establish a partnership agreement. A lawyer can assist. Once most of the population has been vaccinated, the pandemic will subside and there will be a surge in immigration. The housing market will mutate again, and prices will climb. Unlike the pandemic, the only long-term solution for the housing dilemma is to build more affordable homes. Until then, build your immunity. Spend less and save more for harder times.
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FINANCE
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Eight tips to avoid mortgage fraud CLEVE DeSOUZA
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cleve@carib101.com
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Identity theft is a growing problem in Canada. In 2010, about two people in 100,000 had their identity stolen. By 2019, the number had risen to about thirteen in 100,000 people, according to Statista. Most of us know some of what we need to do to reduce our risk of identity theft and fraud. We shred sensitive documents before tossing them in the trash. We know better than to share account information from people who call claiming they “just want to confirm your information.” We ignore emails from foreign princes eager to share their wealth. We refuse calls from unknown numbers. What many of us may not know, though, is how to protect ourselves from fraud during the process of getting a home mortgage. Most of us only secure a handful of mortgages in our lives, so the process isn’t familiar. Here are eight tips to help you avoid trouble: • First and foremost, find licensed professionals and check their references before agreeing to work with them. Working with trusted professionals is your best protection against all kinds of fraud. This advice goes for brokers,
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lenders, real estate agents, inspectors, and contractors. Serving as your own agent or inspector may look like a costsavings move, but it can backfire fast. Once you find a house you like, go online and learn what you can about the property and the neighbourhood. Compare prices of similar-size properties in the area. If you’re paying significantly more or less than the values of nearby homes, ask why. If the property has changed hands an unusual number of times, ask for an explanation. Review the loan application to make sure your name is spelled correctly, and it matches whatever you use as your primary source of identification. Never use nicknames on legal documents. If you don’t understand something in the contract, ask for an explanation before you sign. Review all fees and charges. If you don’t like the answer, don’t sign. Reputable lenders and brokers will understand your hesitance and not pressure you to sign today. Compare what’s in the contract to the information you were given before the closing. Take the time before you sign to double check the address, interest rate, and all the terms and conditions. If it doesn’t match up, don’t sign. Again, reputable professionals will understand your concern. Never sign any contract with blank spaces or missing information. Be suspicious if the lender won’t let you bring in your own lawyer. That’s a big red flag. If you are buying insurance of any kind, such as title insurance, ask for a policy number so you can follow up with the
insurer. Despite our best efforts, sometimes-predatory lenders take advantage of us. If you believe you are a victim of mortgage fraud, you can do something about it. • Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at (888) 495-8501 to complete an identity victim statement. The victim statement will help you communicate what happened with credit bureau reporting agencies, your creditors, and even the police. • Contact the fraud departments at each of the major credit bureaus (Equifax at 800-465-7166 and TransUnion at 905-525-0262.) Ask them to place a fraud alert on your file and to force all creditors to get your permission before opening any new accounts in your name. This is also a good time to request a free copy of your credit report. • Review your credit reports carefully (and frequently) to look for accounts you didn’t open. Every time you find something you didn’t open; you must contact the creditors. Ask to talk to someone in the security or fraud departments. Follow up in writing. • If you suspect someone is using your SIN (Social Insurance Number), contact the government immediately. • Lastly, file a report with the police and keep a copy of it to show creditors. In most cases, the lenders, real estate agents, and sellers you come into contact with are honest and trustworthy. Buying a home is an exciting event in your life. Staying alert to signs of trouble, though, can save you a lot of headaches.
You swaved in your TFSA…What happens if you die? ANDREW STEWART andrew@carib101.com
FAMILY ADVISOR
A husband and wife each have a TFSA. He has maxed out his contributions to his TFSA, she has not. Each is named successor holders on the other’s TFSA. Husband passes away. Wait a minute what is a successor holder? We’re always advised to make sure whenever possible to have beneficiaries designated on accounts. When it comes to the almighty TFSA we have another option. Similar to naming a beneficiary on life insurance policies you can name almost anyone as a beneficiary on your TFSA such as your spouse/partner or a dependent child or grandchild. You can name multiple beneficiaries and allot percentages of your assets to each. There are lots of benefits to having a beneficiary designated on your account. It helps expedite things after you pass. It helps your loved ones to access cash and investments faster. It helps avoid probate
fees. And it helps keep assets from entering the estate and getting held up in the estate process. You can name a beneficiary for any TFSA, but you can also name a successor holder. If a TFSA holder names their spouse or common-law partner as the successor holder, then on the death of the TFSA holder, the spouse essentially becomes the new owner and the tax-exempt status of the TFSA is maintained. All of this is done without affecting the TFSA contribution room of the spouse. It is clean, simple, and seamless. The Income Tax Act only allows the taxexempt status of the TFSA to be passed on to a spouse or common-law partner who is a successor holder; this is different from a beneficiary. The successor holder can maintain two separate TFSA accounts afterward, or, better yet, consolidate the deceased spouse or common-law partner’s TFSA with their own. The TFSA is a powerful account, it can be used to help fund retirement, or it can be used to help optimize government benefits. Not everyone can be named a successor holder. Only spouses and commonlaw partners can be named a successor holder. Brothers, sisters, parents, children, friends, etc. can be named a beneficiary on a TFSA but not a successor holder. Which strategy is best when you want your spouse to inherit your TFSA assets? Consider designating your spouse
as a successor holder along with a backup beneficiary or beneficiaries such as your children or siblings. That way not only are you providing for a seamless transition of your TFSA assets at death for your spouse, but in the unfortunate event that you both happen to die at the same time, your nonspouse beneficiary or beneficiaries will receive the funds outside of your estate, saving probate fees and time. If you’re like most people, it may have been years since you initially set up the designated beneficiary or successor holder when you set up your TFSA originally. Or not at all especially if you opened your account back when they were introduced in 2009. Your circumstances may have changed during that time. There’s no harm in double-checking with your adviser or financial institution and making any needed changes. And for those of you just getting started, now you know the difference between the two appointments. If you’ve never invested in a TFSA before, you could have up to $75,500 of TFSA contribution room from 2009-2021. If you are single and have no spouse/common-law partner or children, you can name your parents as beneficiaries. As a reminder if you name a spousal successor and other individuals as beneficiaries, the beneficiary designation will only take effect if the successor holder has passed away. Happy Investing & Estate Planning!
PAGE 46
SPORTS
Toronto Caribbean News | www.TOCaribNews.com | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
This week in sports; Leafs playoffs hopes cut short by historic rivals MARCEL MARIAK marcel@carib101.com
TC JUNIOR REPORTER Despite their best efforts, the Maple Leafs got their playoff season cut short by their historic rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. With the rivals facing off in the playoffs for the first time since 1979, Toronto fans were looking forward to an entertaining showdown (and hopefully an eventual win to the series.) Unfortunately, a series of injuries and unlucky situations resulted in the Leafs’ playoff run being cut short by the Habs. In case you missed the games, here’s a recap of all seven. Game 1 Game 1 was action-packed as the puck and momentum of the game changed hands frequently. With Montreal taking the lead in the first period, the Leafs were under pressure to make a comeback. They managed to regain control of their offence and tied the game late in the final minutes of the second period. With the game tied, both teams increased their pressure as they struggled for control of the puck and searched for the game-winning goal. Unfortunately for the Leafs, Montreal clinched Game 1 after Paul Bryon scored a spectacular shorthanded goal while sliding on his knees after getting tripped by a Toronto defender. Final score, 2-1 for the Habs. To make matters worse, Maple Leafs’ captain, John Tavares collided with Montreal’s Corey Perry after getting body-checked and
ended up leaving the ice on a stretcher.
lished their first lead of the series.
Game 2 With the pressure mounting on Toronto to prevent Montreal from increasing their series lead, the Leafs went into Game 2 ready to perform. Despite their captain suffering a concussion and being unable to return to the ice indefinitely, the Leafs were still confident in their ability to stop Montreal. From the first faceoff, the Leafs took the initiative. Mounting several scoring attempts within the starting minutes of the game, Toronto instantly put Montreal on its heels. Although Montreal managed to open the scoring midway through the first period, the Leafs quickly regained the offensive and would hold the pressure for the remainder of the game. Using their aggressive approach, the Leafs made quick work of their rivals, winning the game 5-1!
Game 4 Moving into the fourth game of the series, the Leafs were in no mood to ease the pressure. They were in the lead, had the advantage, and were looking to exploit every opportunity that came their way. Although the first period was mostly uneventful in terms of scoring, the Leafs made an impact in the second period, scoring three goals to get a significant lead. Despite their comfortable position, the Leafs refused to ease the pressure going into the third period. Scoring yet another point, they silenced their rivals and ended the game with an impressive 4-0 score.
Game 3 With the series tied 1-1, the Leafs entered Game 3 looking to ride the momentum of their previously dominant performance and establish a lead in the series. Despite Toronto’s motivation, the Canadiens started the game with several promising attacks on the Leafs’ defensive line. As the first period wore on, the Leafs seemed to get into the groove of the game and the puck began switching hands more often. At this point, it was anyone’s game. This time, the Leafs managed to open the scoring as William Nylander scored with twelve minutes left in the second period. Unfortunately, it only took the Habs six minutes to score a goal of their own and tie up the game. This time though, the Leafs refused to give up their lead for long as they mounted yet another attack to regain the lead in the final minutes of the second period. Although the third period had a handful of interesting actions, it was fruitless for both teams. The Leafs won the game 2-1 and estab-
Game 5 As the old adage goes, all good things must come to an end. With the Leafs now leading the series 3-1, they only needed one more win to eliminate their rivals and move onto the next round of playoffs. Unfortunately, Montreal had other plans. It was in Game 5 that the momentum switched hands and would remain that way for the remainder of the series. Although both teams made a valiant effort during regulation time by scoring three points each, Montreal scored the overtime golden goal to take Game 5 with a score of 4-3. The Leafs didn’t know it yet, but this result spelled the beginning of the end for their playoff run. Things only went downhill from here. Game 6 Game 6 was a special night for the Canadiens. For the first time in over a year, a limited number of fans were allowed to attend the game as lockdown restrictions eased up in Montreal. With their hometown “crowd” (if you can call it that) in the Bell Centre, the Habs were more motivated than ever to put on a show.
Despite this, the game got off to a slow start, with neither team able to capitalize for the first two periods of play. Then, in the third period, the goals started rolling in. With both teams scoring two points in the final period, the game went into overtime. Once again, the Canadiens proved themselves better at handling the pressures of OT and scored a point to end the game 3-2. The series was now tied 3-3 and would be settled in a decisive Game 7. Game 7 Game 7 also came with an interesting twist. Similarly to Game 6, 550 fully vaccinated healthcare workers were able to watch the game live at the Scotiabank Arena in Downtown Toronto. Unfortunately, the half-thousand fans were unable to help the Leafs secure a victory. In a similar fashion to their previous game, the first period was scoreless as both teams failed to finish their attacks. Moving into the second period, Montreal set the tone for the game by scoring two points and putting pressure on Toronto as the game moved into the final period of play. In the third period, the Leafs became desperate and began attacking in rapid succession. Unfortunately, their efforts were fruitless as Habs goalie, Carey Price, stopped attempt after attempt to keep Montreal ahead. With three minutes left in the game, Toronto pulled its goalie, which created an opportunity for Montreal to extend its lead with yet another goal. At this point, the writing was on the wall. Although the Leafs managed to score a point as the clock ran down, it was too little too late. The Leafs were defeated 3-1. With that, the Leafs were sent on an unfortunate early vacation and have no choice but to hope for better luck next year. Montreal, on the other hand, has moved onto round two of the series and faces the Winnipeg Jets.