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Communities need to be heard – Black Canadians are again fighting to protect the only black-owned radio station

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3 years ago

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BY ALMIRA RIMEZ

While many Canadians are concerned about having their voices silenced by the provisions in the Trudeau government’s C-10, black Canadians are again fighting to protect their lone black-owned media platform. Here we go Again! Black Canadians waited decades and fought tirelessly to have their voices heard. Despite that, G98.7 FM is heading back to court with the Canadian Radio, Television & Telecommunication Commission on May 27th, 2021, to address the proposed sale to Neeti P Ray, owner of C.I.N.A. FM Windsor & C.I.N.A. AM Mississauga.

The legacy of Canadian black-owned broadcast is on the ropes once again, but how did we get here? Canada’s first black-owned broadcast license, CFXJ-FM, otherwise known as Flow 93.5 FM, first hit the air in 2001. Denham Jolly of Milestone Radio held a minority ownership stake. This battle was long and arduous, strewn with elaborate promotional campaigns that included recording a music video entitled “We need it now.” These campaigns designed to raise awareness of the black community’s need to be heard instead was met with a succession of controversial and disheartening decisions.

 This includes the slap in the face the black community received in 1989 when the C.R.T.C. decided in favour of granting yet another Country Music License CISS-FM instead of going urban. This disappointment was experienced again in 1997 when the C.R.T.C. decided to choose in favour of giving the license to a division of C.B.C. radio one instead of Milestone. As racist as some say the United States of America is against black people, black-owned radio has existed there for more than three-quarters of a century. W.E.R.D. was the first black-owned radio station in the United States of America, launched by Jesse Blayton in 1949. Presently in the U.S.,168 of the 10,135 commercial AM and F.M. radio stations are black-owned.

In Canada, for the second time in a little more than a decade, the sole black-owned radio station is in danger of being sold to someone from outside the black community. The year was 2010 when C.F.X.J. (Flow) was sold to CTV’s Globemedia CHUM Radio, to the detriment of the black Canadian community. These circumstances demonstrate that even in a progressive country like Canada, there remain to be glaring racial deficiencies.

In the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd, and dozens of men and women just like him, the United States has been characterized as one of the most racist’s places on earth; however, upon closer examination, some shocking details were revealed. Canada’s issues with institutional racism may be even more pervasive than their neighbor to the south.

After nearly seventy years of black-owned broadcast in the U.S., a medley of governmental policies have been enacted in order to aid smaller and black-owned broadcasters to remain competitive with larger corporate competitors. One of these provisions requires that all American corporations allocate a specific percentage of their marketing dollars to black-owned broadcasters. In Canada, it is the opposite. Many U.S. businesses operating in Canada have been accused of regularly redirecting funds away from black Canadian media to other cultural markets. This circumstance has traditionally made the viability of black-owned broadcasting more difficult, leaving many of this country’s residents without a voice. Some would suggest this to be the purpose of the practice. History often repeats itself, but one would think that it wouldn’t have occurred again so soon.

2011 Intercity Broadcast Network and their founder Jamaican-born Fitzroy Gordon received approval from the C.R.T.C. to launch CKFG-FM despite the objections from many of Canada’s mainstay media broadcasters. C.B.C. forcibly noted their objections while Rogers Media, Astral Media, Bell Media & Durham Radio all filed comments with the C.R.T.C. in support of the C.B.C.’s views. Was this the old boys club sticking up for a member, or was their objection warranted? Regardless of what one may think about this consortium, they demonstrated a level of resistance to the granting of this license that had never been seen before.

In Canada, black-owned broadcasters are targeted in this manner, often by many of the industry elites. The same companies that have taken a knee and professed to be in support of black rights initiatives are often the very same that have been accused of undermining black business. On the other hand, there have been a number of commercial companies whose support of G98.7 FM was instrumental to their success. The allocation of hundreds of thousands of their advertising dollars to the station helped to bolster some of their best revenue-generating years ever seen.

In 2019, approximately one week after the death and before the funeral of the sole founder of G98.7 FM Fitzroy Gordon, former C.F.O. Delford Blythe of Jamrock accounting filed an emergency order to gain control of the radio station. Mr.Blythe was fired from the company in 2015 for misconduct amidst a succession of allegations of maleficence concerning his accounting conduct. The allegations outlined in testimony given by the former C.E.O. detailed his failure to pay the C.R.T.C.’s C.C.D. Fee’s from 2012-2015, essentially the duration of his tenure as C.F.O. at G98.7 FM.

These allegations also provided implicit details of the alleged improprieties committed by the C.F.O. This included non-payment on crucial expenditures like the lease on the broadcast antenna at T.D. Manulife Centre in Toronto which went unpaid for several years. The same individual who went to the media to complain about G98.7 FM maleficence was, according to previous testimony of former C.E.O. and Founder Fitzroy Gordon, the same individual responsible for the alleged governance.

Despite that fact, media stories released by a series of media outlets, including The Globe & Mail, quoted Mr.Blythe as their sole source for the alleged mismanagement. This raised the ire of many of Canada’s industry elites, including broadcasting legend Bob Markowitz Sr. former colleague of the late Fitzroy Gordon that spoke about his testimony on the alleged discrepancies.

These accusations alleged Mr. Blythe’s utilization of his G98.7 FM expense account to pay for a helicopter ride date with a young lady, a trip to London, England for the Olympics, and even for his elaborate 50th Birthday Celebration in 2012. After the filing of the emergency order by Mr.Blythe, G98.7 FM owed less than $300,000.00 today, that amount is estimated to be more than $2,000,000.00.

According to sources close to the circumstance, when A. Farber & Partners appointed court-ordered control of CKFG-FM to Mr.Blythe in December of 2019, G98.7 FM owed a little less than $400,000.00; the question remains what happened afterward? How have the rumours of egos and infighting impacted the plight of the only black-owned broadcast network in the country? Who is responsible? Will Canada lose its only black-owned network? How much did the emergency motion end up costing G98.7 FM? How were these legal costs covered? Is this the end of Gospel Morning? How did an individual who invested $0 end up with 19% ownership of the said company? These questions and more are what we set out to discover.

New proposed owner of G98.7 FM Neeti P Ray whose Mississauga based C.I.N.A. AM broadcasts 80% of their content in Arabic provided the following statement,

“The applicant proposes that the station operate on the same terms and conditions that currently apply to ensure continuity and to establish a record of compliance.

The station has the important mandate of serving black communities in Toronto (those of the Caribbean and African heritage) with spoken word programming and music. The applicant is committed to continuing to meet this mandate and to fulfill all applicable conditions of license.”

 Mr. Neeti P Ray went on to state, “It would perhaps be premature to speculate on the likely plans in future that would ensure that the objectives of the station are best achieved. More importantly, the commitment to meet the above mandate will remain unchanged.”

The new owners of Flow 93.5 FM stated the very same thing, yet in less than twelve months quickly filed to amend the license away from the original mandate; there are no guarantees. Will the plethora of qualified, well-financed black-owned broadcasters be left on the outside looking in? Will the potential new owners stand by their commitment, or will these be empty words.

Will the C.R.T.C. and the community hold the new ownership to account? If history is any indication, the answer to all these questions is NO, but you can have your say and watch the C.R.T.C. hearing live at 11 AM May 27th, 2021.  G98.7 FM is third on the court-hearing list.

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Canada is Sinking – Is there a correlation between the rising economic costs, and the siphoning of funds to other sources in Canada?

Published

5 days ago

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November 12, 2024

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BY ADRIAN REECE

At some point Toronto was a city that people enjoyed living in. Recent political leadership at every level of government has caused citizens to consider moving out of the country as a whole. The high cost of living, coupled with the difficulty affording housing, and remote work becoming more regular has made the rest of the world seem much more appealing for Canadians as a whole.

Many countries are offering travel perks and visas to travelers in the west, to encourage them to visit, or to even move into their countries. Costa Rica, Japan, and France currently have travel perks and have opened their borders to make it easier to enter. Specifically for Canadians and even more specifically Torontonians who work remotely, are looking to countries and cities with lower costs of living. The Canadian dollar goes far in other parts of the world.

We owe the struggling economy to a few factors. Political leadership has greatly impacted the state of Canada, immigration policies that have changed over the years have caused stress on Canadian citizens.

In 2023, the federal government released its new Immigration Levels Plan to welcome 485,000 permanent residents in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025 and 2026. This announcement came on the heels of an Environics public opinion survey revealing a significant increase in the number of Canadians who believe the country accepts too many immigrants. That marks a dramatic reversal from a year ago, when support for immigration levels stood at an all-time high.

The Trudeau led government has held true to their commitment to bring in millions of immigrants in a short span of time. Housing policy is draining the income of Canadians, and political debates do not provide any real answers towards understanding what is going on in the country. Consistent political scandals regarding Trudeau overspending, and not adhering to budgets, and using money that was originally allocated for certain things. Trudeau was audited and it was found that $123 million was given to ineligible businesses, or projects that should have never been awarded at all. This is one in a long list of Trudeau scandals that have been a part of Canada political identity for the last nine years.

Trudeau’s government has even siphoned off funds to their personal businesses, after audits by the auditor general, we have seen too many inconsistencies with the funding of the Trudeau government in misusing funds as well as money disappearing into places that it should not be going.

In June of this year, the auditor general (AG) released two reports about: improper contracting practices, conflict of interest, and funding provided for ineligible projects. What these reports brought to light is an unpleasant reality; politicians and bureaucrats in Ottawa do not always act in the best interest of Canadians.

According to the first AG report, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), the federal agency responsible for funding green technology projects, demonstrated “significant lapses… in governance and stewardship of public funds.” Nearly 20% of the SDTC projects examined by the AG were in fact ineligible (based on the government’s own rules) for funding, with a total price tag of $59 million. There were also 90 instances where the SDTC ignored conflict of interest provisions while awarding $76 million to various projects. Indeed, the AG found 63 cases where SDTC agency directors voted in favour of payments to companies in which they had declared interest.

The second AG report focused on 97 contracts totaling $209 million awarded by the federal government to the McKinsey & Company consulting firm from 2011 to 2023. According to the AG, the government demonstrated “frequent disregard for procurement policies and guidance and that contracting practices often did not demonstrate value for money.” About 70% of these contracts were awarded non-competitively, meaning no other companies were permitted to bid on the contracts. Interesting!

These findings also follow an earlier report in February that found the federal government “repeatedly failed to follow good management practices in the: contracting, development, and implementation” of the ArriveCAN mobile app, which cost Canadian taxpayers at least $59.5 million.

Is there a correlation between the rising economic costs, and the siphoning of funds to other sources in Canada? Potentially, it will take a lot more investigation to confirm if that is really the case. However, Canadians can see that there has been a drastic change in the economy since the Trudeau government has come into power.

For governments to work there needs to be transparency, and there has been a lack there of in regard to our political leadership in the last few years. There are too many scandals and too many mishaps with money. Too many policies that do not benefit the citizenry, and not enough effort made to rectify the sinking economy.

Canada cannot continue to stay in these dire straits, we are sinking, and leadership plays a big role in the state of the country. We won’t see changes unless we demand it, we can take a page out of France’s method of protest; other countries have set a precedent of what their expectations are, and Canadians need to do the same. They need to demand change and implement strategies to achieve it. Within acceptable methods of protest there exists a strategy and method of changing the nature of Canada’s problems, but it starts with the citizenry. Coming together is the greatest power we have, and we need to utilize it.

REFERENCES:

https://www.environicsinstitute.org/projects/project-details/public-opinion-about-immigration-refugees

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/supplementary-immigration-levels-2023-2025.html

https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_202402_01_e_44428.html

https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_202406_06_e_44493.html

https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_202406_e_44491.html

https://www.fraserinstitute.org/article/scathing-auditor-general-reports-underscore-political-realities

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The Jamaica Food and Drink Festival – where every bite tells a story, and every sip celebrates Jamaica’s vibrant soul

Published

5 days ago

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November 12, 2024

By

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

What if I told you that Visa is offering two amazing opportunities that YOU, our loyal readers have an opportunity to take part in? For one of our lucky readers, you have a chance to:

  • Win a trip to Trinidad Carnival 2025
  • Win a trip to Jamaica

“What is this all about Simone,” you might be asking? Well, the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) turns 10 this year, and Visa International is thrilled to be part of the celebration once again. Welcome to the heart of Jamaica’s culinary playground – the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, where flavours, culture, and music blend into one unforgettable celebration.

Step into the lively Craft Market downtown, where the spirit of Jamaica comes alive. Here, they celebrate the island’s rich history and vibrant flavours – an ode to the past. Guests get a chance to immerse themselves in the legacy of festival favourites like: Crisp, Chopstix, Pork Palooza, and Picante – all in one electrifying space.

Taste, sip, and groove your way through the night, reliving fond festival memories while savouring the global influences that have shaped the iconic dishes we love today – no passport required (except to travel of course)!

As the hot days turn into steamy nights, and steamy nights turn into sweltering days, what better way to close out the festivities than with one last delectable event? The finale is not just a celebration, but a reflection of Jamaica’s culinary renaissance. After four unforgettable days, guests get a chance to honour the island’s: finest chefs, mixologists, and artisans who have made this festival a true showcase of creativity and passion.

Naturally, the festival had to find accommodations that match its prestige, and the only hotels of choice this year are: The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel and The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites. At the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the Caribbean’s most distinguished address, you will experience the perfect blend of elegance and island charm. Nestled in the heart of New Kingston, surrounded by lush gardens and views of the Caribbean Sea, this 17-storey gem is where business meets leisure in true Jamaican style. You also have the option of immersing yourself in the timeless charm of The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, a true jewel of Jamaica’s capital city. With spacious accommodations, award-winning dining, and all the modern comforts, it is the perfect way to end your festival experience.

Waldemar Cordero, Marketing Senior Director for Visa in the Caribbean and Central America, expressed his excitement about being involved in the festival’s decade-long run. “We’re really excited to be part of the 10th staging of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival. It’s amazing to see how far this festival has come, and we’re proud to have been part of the journey over the last 6 years. This festival isn’t just about food, it’s about celebrating Jamaica’s rich culture and the incredible talent that drives it.”

Visa’s partnership with JFDF has grown over the years, evolving from a traditional sponsorship into a dynamic collaboration that enhances the festival experience for everyone. “Our relationship with the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival has deepened over time,” said Waldemar. “We’ve moved from simply being a sponsor to becoming the main partner, working closely with the organizers to bring fresh, exciting elements to the event each year. This time around, we’re especially excited about the initiatives we’re rolling out that will make it easier and more enjoyable for attendees to experience all that the festival has to offer.”

Visa is excited to enhance the celebration of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival’s milestone 10th year by offering an exclusive hospitality package to Trinidad Carnival 2025. One lucky Visa cardholder who purchases festival tickets between October 16th and November 9th, 2024, will win this incredible experience. This offering includes: two economy class tickets from Kingston, Jamaica to Port of Spain, Trinidad; six nights of luxury accommodation at the Hyatt Regency; and comprehensive airport transfers and event transportation. The winner and their guest will enjoy: inclusive meals, stylish Monday Wear and Carnival Tuesday costumes, and access to premier events such as Brian Lara’s Event and PinkNicTT. Additionally, they will be treated to glamour make-up and photos. This package promises to deliver an unforgettable festival experience and celebrate the unified Caribbean culture in style.

In addition, one lucky winner from our Caribbean neighbour Trinidad and Tobago, who uses the First Citizens Bank card in Trinidad, will win a trip for two to the Food and Drink Festival in Jamaica. This is an all-expense paid trip for two with the winners to ensure the festival and enjoy scenic places in Jamaica such as Dunn’s River Falls and Port Royal. Ready for that almost winter getaway? Visit https://jafoodanddrink.com/ for more details. Good luck!

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Welcome to the Black Scholars Institute—where excellence thrives, and liberation is pursued

Published

5 days ago

on

November 12, 2024

By

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

At the heart of the University of Windsor’s campus, centrally located in the lower level of the CAW Student Centre, lies a space dedicated to fostering: African-Caribbean excellence, academic growth, and community empowerment: The Black Scholars Institute, or BSI.

The BSI Lounge is more than just a meeting place. It is a safe and welcoming space for African/-Caribbean faculty, staff, and students—a venue that fosters not only academic engagement, but community connection. Here, important university and local events, aligned with the Institute’s mission and values, take place.

The Black Scholars Institute is a multidisciplinary research institute—a home for African-Caribbean scholars at UWindsor. It is dedicated to advancing Black excellence and liberation through scholarship, research, and community engagement. The Institute’s work enriches teaching, learning, and social justice efforts across the University, with a focus on making an impact nationally and globally.

BSI hosts a range of weekly programs that encourage meaningful dialogue and academic collaboration. Events such as “Think Tank Thursday” provide a platform for African-Caribbean faculty and students to come together, exchange ideas, and discuss relevant research and current events. For those who are deep in their academic work, “Just Write” sessions offer dedicated time for focused writing in a supportive environment. “Coffee and Convo,” a collaboration with Leddy Library, creates space to explore Black literature and hold thought-provoking discussions around important topics.

Graduate students are invited to participate in student saloons, where they present their works-in-progress in a safe, inclusive space, where they can receive valuable feedback from peers and faculty members alike. Additionally, the “Black Research Spotlight” shines a light on the groundbreaking work of African Caribbean scholars, providing them with a platform to showcase their research and innovations.

In recognition of the challenges posed by systemic anti-Black racism, the BSI offers its members a membership with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, providing on-demand access to a wealth of professional development resources. This is just one of the ways BSI ensures its scholars are well-equipped to thrive and succeed in their academic careers. As a research institute, BSI is committed to supporting Black Studies and promoting excellence in scholarships. One vital aspect of this is the awarding of grants to Black scholars. These grants are instrumental in advancing research that is often overlooked in traditional funding competitions.

While visiting the University earlier this month, I learned more about some of the challenges that have been faced in opening BSI. The establishment of this initiative was approved by the University of Windsor’s Senate on October 7th, 2022. The initiative is in alignment with the University’s commitment to the Scarborough Charter (utoronto.ca) on anti-Black racism and Black inclusion in Canadian higher education. In 2023, the University of Windsor (UWindsor) announced their new academic home that would spotlight: Black excellence, scholarship, research, and community. The inaugural Black Scholars Institute (BSI) at UWindsor, was formally launched in September 2024.

Dr. Clinton Beckford, UWindsor’s Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, envisions that the BSI will be the institutional home for Blackness at the University. “The establishment of a Black Scholars Institute at the University of Windsor is ground-breaking and transformative,” he says.  “It positions the University of Windsor as a post-secondary leader in intellectual thought and practice around Blackness and makes real our commitments to Black flourishing and thriving at and beyond the institution.”

The BSI will work closely with UWindsor’s Interdisciplinary and Critical Studies Department within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Building a Black Scholars academic program represents an innovative plan of action intended to meaningfully understand UWindsor’s approach to African-Caribbean ways of knowing in Canadian universities. The expected output will enhance UWindsor’s research profile in Black Studies and feature scholarly work, special events, speakers’ series, mentorship, and more.

Dr. Camisha Sibblis, the Director at BSI, is hopeful that the institute will enrich the experiences of Black faculty at UWindsor. “We believe that the inclusion of Black peoples, ways of learning and knowledge systems are integral to the growth of our community. The establishment of the BSI is a crucial part of fulfilling the University’s Strategic Mandate Agreement (ontario.ca) and purposefully moving the institution into the future. The Institute will enhance the University’s research profile and will also establish the University as a center of excellence in Windsor-Essex and the Detroit area – a region known for its historic importance for Black people in North America.”

Welcome to the Black Scholars Institute—where excellence thrives, and liberation is pursued through scholarship, research, and community engagement.

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