Business

Breaking Records

Published

6 years ago

June 5, 2018

BY: JELANI GRANT

With a record number of black candidates running for this year’s Ontario election, the Jamaican Canadian Association invited each of these candidates to join a meet and greet for the community to support and personally hear from each party. Last year a record was broken for black candidates elected. This year, the Liberal, NDP, PC and Green parties each had at least one black elective.

Organized by First Fridays, the Black Health Alliance, the Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators (ONABSE), the BBPA, the Jamaican Canadian Association and BAND, the event was developed with the intention of showcasing the growing number of black political leaders in Ontario. Following the Black Community Provincial Leaders Debate in April, the Jamaican Canadian Association welcomed nearly 450 community members to the centerso they could hear directly from party representatives on issues affecting the black community such as streaming in education, carding in policing, equity in health care, and support for black business.

First Fridays CEO Warren Salmon regulated the evening, organizing the order of candidates who would come to the stage, as well as keeping guests informed of some candidates who couldn’t make it.“This is a follow-upevent on the heels of the black community provincial leaders debate, we really want to showcase the different candidates in the community and we’ve identified twenty-one from across the province from the four parties who are running,” Salmon said. In addition to highlighting this year’s black candidates, Salmon said the event gives the opportunity for candidates to reach out to the community for support including volunteering, donations, and community voices.

Beginning the night’s speakers was Hamilton PC candidate Dion Duncan. Though she was the sole candidate representing the PC party, Duncan made sure to express the emphasis the focus of her party, telling the crowd she is committed to providing increased healthcare support, specifically to residents over the age of fifty. “Medication should be open and extended to those fifty and above…our focus is to ensure that we strengthen the unit of family and that we do our best to make sure that everyone is covered for health care,” she said. Duncan did mention that she believes an increase in minimum wage is reasonable, but if elected she would push for a gradually slower increase towards $15 minimum.

The next speaker was also the single candidate of his party, Grad Murray of the York South-Weston Green party. Murray, along with all of the NDP and Liberal attendees, said he strongly believes in a minimum wage increase of at least $15. Additionally, Murray spoke on providing housing to those in need. “We’re going to require new developments to have a minimum of 20% affordable housing…we’re going to invest $200 million over projected increases in the 2018 budget to fund shelters, social housing, andco-op housing,” he said.

Finally,Murray touched on the Green party’s plan for lowering electricity costs for residents. “We need to commit to a renewable energy…we want to look at buying electricity from Quebec because they are powered by water and at 1/3 the cost of Ontario,” he said.

Speaking for the Liberal party were Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development Mitzi Hunter and CamdaSports Foundation founder Leisa Washington. Hunter said providing publicly funded prescriptions to those under twenty-five was an important task to complete and is still being implemented. Hunter talked about the current Liberal government’s improvement of pensions for Ontario. “We cannot let people retire without adequate income, so we set out on a path to improve pension income and I’m very pleased to say that has led to the expansion of CPP for all working Canadians,” she said. Hunter said the Liberals plan is to expand Pharmacare to a larger number of demographics including youth and seniors. Currently, 12% of Canadians lack the financial means to pay for their prescriptions with an estimated 700,000 skipping groceries to get the medications they need.

A visible majority of candidates in attendance came from the NDP party. Those from the party, who spoke on stage, included Dwayne Morgan of Scarborough North, Faisal Hassan for York South-Weston, Monique Hughes of Ajax, Kevin Yarde for Brampton North and Andrea Vasquez, who identified herself as the first Afro-Latina candidate in Ontario elections.

Morgan started by pointing out the history of diversity within the NDP. “I’m very excited to be a part of this party because this is the party that fielded the first black cabinet minister Zanana Akande and this election we also have the party that has the most candidates from our community,” he said.

He said he wanted to focus on issues that would make life more affordable for working-class citizens. He spoke on making Hydro One public again, with the hope of cutting costs. “We aim to cut hydro rates by 30% by putting Hydro One back into public hands. We also want to ensure that public assets remain public assets,” he said.

Morgan spoke about the trouble of finding affordable childcare, suggesting the NDP would work towards free child card for households that have an annual income of $40,000 or less. He also stressed the necessity of eliminating police carding and current carding records. NDP Leader Andrew Horwath and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner addressed carding at the JCA before, saying they would move to eliminate all data if their parties were elected.

Each party demonstrated their knowledge of the societal factors that negatively impact the black community and delivered a number of solutions for building a better Ontario. Though some of their plans for the province do overlap, it is important to understand, in detail, the varied results voting for a party could have on different demographics within the community.

For those who missed the opportunity to hear from candidates at the meet & greet, it is not too late to learn about the platforms of your local electives. While researching your potential officials, keep in mind each candidate has provided a method for them to be contacted during the campaign for more information until June 6^th.

Up Next

Tis The Season 2018

Don't Miss

Kiwanis Club of Brampton celebrated volunteers within the community for their avid volunteerism

Theme Admin

Click to comment

Technology

How Toronto’s Caribbean Community is Leading in Digital Innovation

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2024

TOCaribNews

Toronto’s Caribbean community is making significant strides in the realm of digital innovation, reflecting a vibrant and dynamic force within the city’s tech sector. This burgeoning influence spans across various sectors, including technology incubation, digital education, and entrepreneurship, underscoring a profound impact on Toronto’s digital economy.

Fostering a Culture of Innovation

The Caribbean community in Toronto is actively contributing to a culture of innovation that is pivotal for the city’s future advancements. Through collaboration with local and international businesses, startups, and academic institutions, this community is part of the driving force behind Toronto’s position as a hub for innovation. The city is home to over 70 incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces, offering programs that support startups in technology, manufacturing, food production, fashion, arts, and music.

Central to this ecosystem is the MaRS Centre, one of the world’s largest urban innovation hubs, which houses entrepreneurs building Canada’s next generation of growth companies. Toronto’s impressive tech industry, supported by giants like Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Google, and Facebook, benefits from the diverse talents and innovative spirit of the Caribbean community.

Digital Education and Entrepreneurial Spirit

The Toronto Caribbean community’s commitment to digital education and entrepreneurship is evident through initiatives such as the Toronto Reference Library. This hub invites users of all ages and skill levels to explore digital creation, offering activities and workshops on topics like 3D printing, graphic novel book clubs, and crafting circles. Such programs are crucial for fostering a culture of lifelong learning and innovation, enabling community members to acquire and refine digital skills.

Contribution to the Digital Economy

In the rapidly evolving digital economy, Toronto’s Caribbean community is not just a participant but a trendsetter. This is evident in the diverse range of digital services thriving in the city, including sectors such as life sciences and healthcare. The community’s innovative spirit contributes significantly to the city’s standing as a leading North American tech hub, with a vibrant biotechnology cluster and a comprehensive network of hospitals, research institutes, business incubators, and venture capital organizations. Also, initiatives like the Caribbean Digital Summit and The LEGUP Wealth Symposium featuring leaders from Caribbean governments and the tech industry, exemplifies the community’s active engagement and leadership in digital transformation and governance on a broader scale.

The real-time table games in Canada exemplify the wide array of online services prospering under this innovative umbrella. This digital sector benefits from the technological advancements and entrepreneurial drive within the Caribbean community, illustrating the diverse impact on Toronto’s digital landscape.

Toronto’s Caribbean community is playing a pivotal role in shaping the city’s digital innovation landscape. Through a commitment to education, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, this vibrant community is contributing to Toronto’s reputation as a global hub for technology and innovation. The synergy between the Caribbean community and the broader tech ecosystem in Toronto is proof of the power of diversity in driving progress and creativity in the digital age.

Technology

Jamaica’s Back-to-Back CONCACAF Gold Cup Final Appearances

Published

2 months ago

March 11, 2024

TOCaribNews

Jamaica, a small island in the Caribbean, may not be one of the first countries that come to mind when you think of soccer. However, in recent years, the Reggae Boyz have been making waves. And following the underdog stories unfolding at the current African Cup of Nations, the Jamaicans may well feel that success is just around the corner.

2024 – A Big Year For International Football

In the Ivory Coast this winter, AFCON has been making waves following the stunning early exits of almost every heavy hitter. The likes of Algeria, Tunisia, and Ghana all bowed at the group stage, while Egypt and Morocco followed them in the round of 16.

But it isn’t just Africa that has a continental competition taking place this year. Both the 2024 European Championships and Copa America will take place, tournaments that online sports betting sites have made England and Argentina the favorites to win, respectively. Caribbean involvement will have to wait until next year when the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup gets underway, and Jamaica will be hoping to channel their success from years gone by into action.

2015

The 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup was held in Canada and the United States, with Jamaica competing against some of the best teams from North and Central America. Despite being underdogs in many matches, the Reggae Boyz managed to make it all the way to the final. Inspired by the performances of former Premier League wingers Jobi McAnuff and Gareth McCleary, the Caribbean outfit defeated the highly-rated Costa Rica to top Group B.

That set up a meeting with Haiti in the quarterfinals, and a goal from former Derby County man Giles Barnes was enough to secure a narrow 1-0 victory. In the semifinals, they met a much fancied United States in front of 70,000 raucous fans at the Georgia Dome. But they weren’t intimidated, racing into a two-goal lead before clinging on for dear life in the second half and eventually running out 2-1 victors. Unfortunately, they were ultimately downed 3-1 by Mexico in the final, but not before they had captured the hearts of North America.

2017

Two years later, in 2017, Jamaica once again found themselves in the final of the tournament. This time around they faced the reigning champion Mexicans in the group stage, holding them to a goalless draw. Victories against Curacao and a draw with El Salvador were enough to seal their spot in the knockout round however, they headed into the latter stages as an unfancied side once more.

In the quarterfinals, the Jamaicans duly brushed aside Canada thanks to goals from Shaun Francis and Romario Williams. That set up a meeting with Mexico once again, and this time around, they would have their redemption. Fullback Kemar Lawrence scored the only goal of the game in the 88th minute, leaving El Tri stunned and sealing the Reggae Boyz’ spot in the final.

There, they faced off against the hosting United States at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California – home of the San Francisco 49ers. The Jamaicans were hoping to repeat their heroics of two years prior and come out on top, however, this time around it was the Stars and Stripes that ran out victorious. With the contest level at one goal apiece, Seattle Sounders striker Jordan Morris popped up with an 88th-minute winner to secure the victory.

Business

Victim Services of Durham Region invites Ontario schools and youth to Youth Violence Prevention Symposium

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2024

TOCaribNews

BY PAUL JUNOR

Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR) is committed to educating and informing young people with the knowledge and education they need to make informed decisions regarding critical issues that affect their lives.

In order to fulfill its mission, it will be hosting its annual online Youth Violence Prevention (YVP) Symposium. It will take place over a two-week period on Monday, February 26^th and Friday, March 8^th, 2024.It will be geared to Grades: 7, 8 and 9 students who will be able to access it using the online learning platform, Learn Worlds.

VSDR has been active over the years in the Durham Region where it has provided a range of services to help those affected and impacted by crime, or sudden tragedies. It is the only one of its kind that offers specialized services and support 24/7, 365 days per year to these individuals.

Their vision is to have a safe community where people are supported, empowered and thriving. The press release states that they provide trauma-informed, anti-oppressive crisis intervention services, including emotional support, safety planning, and financial assistance. In addition, there are translation services available in over 300 languages to those who need them. Case management services are also available, which assist individuals to bypass bureaucratic roadblocks with available:

subsidized housing, income support, medical and police services.

VSDR provides tailored support to survivors and witnesses of all crimes; 85% of its clients have experienced gender-based violence, including: survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

Some of the programs VSDR offers are:

Crisis Response
System Navigation
Victim Quick Response Program
Human Trafficking Prevention/Intervention
Youth Prevention Workshops
Professional Training
Hotel Staff Training

The symposium will consist of accessible online modules that will be broken down into educational content, specific videos and in-class activities that are grade specific and align with curriculum targets. The six modules per grade are:

Consent & Healthy Relationships
Human Trafficking
Online Safety, Cyber Bullying and Image Sharing
Teen Dating Violence
Gang Violence & Peer Violence
Empowerment & Self-Care

The following are aims of the symposium:

Protect and empower young people.
Engage with issues like human trafficking, consent, healthy relationship, sextortion, teen dating violence, gang awareness, and cyber safety.
Provide insights on vulnerabilities and risk factors through activities and presentations.

Through partnerships with schools and educators it has been possible to:

Provide interactive online modules, games and videos.
Focus on learning in a safe setting.
Information on where to seek support provided on the event day and beyond.

Since 2020, the annual Violence Prevention Symposium has made a significant impact in the lives of young people as its program evolves from just focusing on Anti-Human Trafficking to issues that reflect emerging youth trends.

Some of the Impactful Results are:

Youth knowledge increased from 35% to 97%
Over 300% decrease in the number of youths educated since 2020
48 disclosures received in 2023 as a result of symposium education.

VSDR is anticipating great things from the 2024 symposium. They will continue to adapt and adjust the programs and services they deliver in light of the changing landscape and rapidly evolving world of teenagers.