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BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“Come and get me Doug! He didn’t come. He won’t have his prescribed laws tested in the courts.”

I have never seen someone speak out against the government as much as the man I had the pleasure of interviewing last week.

As a representative of the Lenark – Frotenac and Kingston regions, he has questioned the Premier about his approach to handling the current pandemic.

He has long been a thorn in the PC Government’s side because he continues to question their decision-making, and how it benefits the people of Ontario. Since May, he has opposed many of the contradictory COVID-19 laws, and last week Friday, I had the pleasure of speaking to MPP Randy Hillier. This article is a preview of a very powerful interview, that I think will add to the eye-opening interviews that I have had in the last couple weeks.

There has been a lot said about MPP Randy Hillier, and of course not all of it is good. There are reports of him being racist because of a Tweet that was posted questioning Federal Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen, after he spoke about being racially profiled.

Of course, this tweet happened to only be seen by the likes of CTV Ottawa News anchor Graham Richardson and Kayley Kennedy, the Federal Liberals’ candidate in Lanark – Frontenac – Kingston in last fall’s election. The PC Government sent a clear message to him that if he was not a team player, then he would not be working with them.

I always find it interesting when the race card is thrown out, and the context that it is brought up in. In any political battle, the opposition will do their best to make themselves look better, and the other guy looks bad. I would ask the Liberal Government to take a look at their Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who not too long ago felt that black face was okay. He is all forgiving right? Yeah, interesting!

I say that to say this; my job is not to condemn the actions of others. My job is to present information to my community and hold the government accountable for all of their actions, especially actions that are disproportionately going to affect us.

The battle right now is about the stringent laws that continue to deplete us of our God given rights. During our discussion, Randy and I went over:
· The PCR screening tests
· Bill 218
· The fact that 99% of people are not at risk of catching Covid-19
· The many Covid-19 contradictions
· Isolation camps
· The devastating lockdowns
· How this pandemic has isolated people from their families and friends

I am going to only touch on a couple of these topics in this article, but I implore you to look past the distractions, and take hold of information that could very well save your life.

Reliability of PCR Tests for COVID-19
Testing, testing, and more testing. Tests have detected more than 14 million cases of COVID-19. It is simple right; you take the test, it shows up positive, and this means that you have the disease. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. When virus levels in a population are very low, the chances of a test accurately detecting COVID-19 is less than 50%. Testing is an important issue to look into, especially since the new round of testing has brought on lockdowns in regions across Ontario.

Since May, the Public Health Agency of Canada as well as virologists and other doctors around the world have been warning of problems with PCR testing.

Let’s take a look at how the PCR test works. PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. This is a technique used in molecular biology that amplifies a DNA template to produce specific DNA fragments.

Amplification cycles are used to amplify a sample to make it easier to find the RNA that identifies COVID in a person; the threshold, or maximum amplification cycle, known as ‘CT’, should not exceed 25, yet Ontario labs are testing at between 38 and 45 cycles. This simple increase in amplification causes false positives because of improper manipulation of the sample.

Interestingly enough, our government knows that the test is faulty. Minister Elliott (Deputy Premier of Ontario and Ontario Minister of Health) has not reported when the government became aware of this problem and why nothing has yet been done to address it.

Instead of committing to fixing the problem with PCR testing procedures, the Health Minister deflected by talking about other testing possibilities, many of which are not yet approved by Health Canada, or not widely available yet.

Randy mentioned Dr Mike Yeadon, former Vice President and Chief Science Officer for Pfizer. Dr Yeadon argues that half, or even “almost all” of test for COVID-19 are false positives. He believes that the government is basing policies and creating lockdown, mask wearing, and social distancing laws based on what may well be completely fake data.

Bill 218
This is a Bill that MPP Randy Hillier is openly speaking out against, and for good reason. Bill 218 prevents the public from suing our government institutions for their liability during COVID. It undermines ministerial responsibility and subverts common law. It almost seems like the government is attempting to conceal their actions, responsibility, and culpability for the harm they have caused in their response to COVID. Below is a brief look at the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act, 2020. You can find the full Bill by visiting (https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-218).

Section 2 of the Act provides that no cause of action arises against any person as a direct or indirect result of an individual being or potentially being infected with or exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19) on or after March 17th, 2020 as a direct or indirect result of an act or omission of the person if,

(a) at the relevant time, the person acted or made a good faith effort to act in accordance with,

(i) public health guidance relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) that applied to the person, and
(ii) any federal, provincial or municipal law relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) that applied to the person; and

(b) the act or omission of the person does not constitute gross negligence.
Proceedings directly or indirectly based on or related to any such matter may not be brought, and any that exist when the Act comes into force are deemed to have been dismissed without costs. The terms “good faith effort”, “law”, “public health guidance”, and “person” are defined and clarified in section 1 of the Act.

So, we as the community have to leave trust in the government that they are acting in our “Good Faith.” Good faith is an abstract and comprehensive term that encompasses a sincere belief or motive without any malice or the desire to defraud others. Basically, we have to trust a government that has failed the African- Caribbean community in the past.

This bill has a familiar tone to it. Our neighbours in the U.S. have U.S Code § 300aa–22.Standards of responsibility, which states that no vaccine manufacturer shall be liable in a civil action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death associated with the administration of a vaccine after October 1st, 1988, if the injury or death resulted from side effects that were unavoidable even though the vaccine was properly prepared and was accompanied by proper directions and warnings.
I will be honest; I am a little weary of any Bill that will allow someone to distance themselves from an outcome that they are responsible for. Something to ponder.

Isolation/Quarantine Facilities
This last point is of some concern. In parliament, Randy asked the Ford government if they knew how many of the isolation camps would be built and how many people the government expects to detain.

If you have not heard the Government of Canada is currently soliciting feedback and information from industry service providers for additional Federal Quarantine/Isolation sites. If built, the worry is that these sites could be used for other requirements, and not only for COVID-19 imposed quarantines.

If you are interested, you can find the solicitation for feedback on the Government of Canada’s Buyandsell.gc.ca website as a tender notice Letter of Interest, and Request for Information for Federal Quarantine/Isolation sites.

Randy forwards that the government must be in negotiations and aware of these plans to potentially detain and isolate citizens and residents of our country and our province. When he began his line of questioning concerning the camps in parliament, his mike was turned off.

Since then, the Premier has been actively dodging questions about the Isolation camps. The question that we need to ask our government is why? Why are they not talking about this?

The Public Health Agency of Canada is currently managing eleven quarantine isolation sites across Canada. These include sites in: Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Winnipeg, Regina, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Fredericton, St. John’s (Newfoundland), and Whitehorse. Each site is set up to detain up to 1,600 travellers for up to fourteen days at a time. The sites can be temporarily discontinued until needed again by the Government of Canada. The facilities may be used for “other requirements” for the next two years, as deemed necessary to safeguard the public health.

Let us take a look at a live example; Dr Jacques Girard, leader of the Quebec City public health authority, stated during a press conference that a number of customers who were supposed to wait for COVID-19 test results left, and that is why they were taken forcibly and place into isolation by the state.

Why is this scary? Well, let’s take a look at the history of concentration camps. They were established on February 28th, 1933 under the “Protective Custody.” This law allowed the police to make arrests based on the suspicion of criminal activity and interred without a trial or legal representation.

Not sure what to say Toronto. It looks like we are heading down a scary path, and all I can hope is that more of us wake up and start standing up for our human rights. For now, all we can do is do the work. This means being diligent media consumers and doing our research.

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We, as humans are guaranteed certain things in life: stressors, taxes, bills and death are the first thoughts that pop to mind. It is not uncommon that many people find a hard time dealing with these daily life stressors, and at times will find themselves losing control over their lives. Simone Jennifer Smith’s great passion is using the gifts that have been given to her, to help educate her clients on how to live meaningful lives. The Hear to Help Team consists of powerfully motivated individuals, who like Simone, see that there is a need in this world; a need for real connection. As the founder and Director of Hear 2 Help, Simone leads a team that goes out into the community day to day, servicing families with their educational, legal and mental health needs.Her dedication shows in her Toronto Caribbean newspaper articles, and in her role as a host on the TCN TV Network.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Joe Simone

    November 12, 2020 at 1:29 pm

    I would tell each and everyone to Contact each and every MP, MPP, and Fords office either by email or phone asking what is going on here!…camps, fake PCR testing, etc…whats next someone comes in the night and takes your love ones and more lock downs!.

    Reply

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Community News

Urban Alliance on Race Relations celebrates and highlights Racial Justice Award recipients

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1 day ago

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December 19, 2024

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BY PAUL JUNOR

It has been almost 40 years since the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) has been at the forefront of: promoting tolerance, social justice, racial equity and fairness. Since it was formed in 1975, they have celebrated and recognized changemakers in the fight for racial justice in diverse sectors such as: health, labour, government, education, arts, media, environment, and justice.

On Saturday, December 7th, 2024, there was a great turnout at the 2024 Racial Justice Awards Night held at The Estate Banquet & Event Centre in Scarborough. In attendance were many community supporters, civic officials, long-time racial justice warriors, and individuals from diverse ethnic groups.

UARR is grateful for all the sponsors of the Racial Justice Awards Night Celebration. It notes in its email to its supporters on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, the importance of its sponsors including:

  • United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) of Canada, UFCW, Local 175
  • The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 353
  • Unite Here! Local 75
  • Toronto & York Region Labour Council
  • Canadian Labour Congress
  • The Coalitions of Black Trade Union (CBTUL)

“Your sponsorship plays a vital role in shining a light on individuals and organizations driving equity, justice, and change in our communities. This celebration is more than an event, it’s a movement. Thanks to your support, we’re: honoring changemakers, amplifying unheard voices, and funding initiatives that break down systemic barriers.”

The categories and names of the awards and recipients were:

Racial Justice in Arts: Hannia Cheng

She is an artist and cultural worker who co-founded Unit 270, a DIY gallery and multi-purpose grassroots community hub in Chinatown Centre.

Racial Justice in Labour: Vanessa Story

She is the founder of the Black Youth York Region and co-founder of the York Communities for Public Education coalition.

Racial Justice in Education: Shannon Simpson

She is Senior Director of Indigenous Initiatives at the University of Toronto.

Racial Justice in Environment: Dr. Ingrid Waldron

She is a Professor and HOPE Chair in Peace and Health in the Global and Peace and Social Justice Program in the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University.

Urban Alliance of Race Relations Agent of Change Award: Kirk Mark

He is the Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Consultant at KIRK Mark & Associates.

Racial Justice in Media: Amanda Parris

She is an award-winning writer, tv host and producer, and former host of CBC Arts Exhibitionist.

Racial Justice in Health: Camille Orridge

She is former CEO of the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (TCLHIN).

Racial Justice in Government: Amira Elghawaby

She is a journalist and human rights advocate who was appointed in January 2023 as Canada’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia.

Racial Justice in Justice: South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALC0)

This legal clinic supports low-income South Asian people in Canada.

The funds raised from the Awards night will be going toward the work of the Diversity Youth Fellowship Program. This innovative and creative program is directly involved in enabling racialized youth to get paid experience working in municipal governments and at various public policy making organizations across Canada.

The performers at the event included: Katheen Zaragosa (a Filipino music performer), Rithika Jeristus & Maya Jeristus (Bharatanatyam dancers) and Yasmin Said (spoken word artist)

UARR is looking forward to its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025 and shared five of its strategic priorities for the next 10 years including:

  • Employment and economic opportunity: The goal is to foster inclusive workspaces and economic opportunities.
  • Education: The goal is to promote racial equity in education and research.
  • Communication: The goal is to expand public awareness and reach to amplify our stories.
  • Community engagement and outreach: The goal is building community capacity and convening towards change.
  • Truth and reconciliation-relationship building and supporting calls to action. The goal is to strengthen our solidarity and action towards truth and reconciliation.

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Community News

What is it about those short videos that keep us captivated? Oh! Yes! Our short attention span

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1 day ago

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December 19, 2024

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BY KAHA GEDI

As our attention spans decrease, short form videos are becoming more popular. From TikTok, to YouTube Shorts, to Instagram Reels, these “snack sized” videos have positive qualities alongside the bad. Mainly we want to know what makes them so effective, and why are they becoming the go-to choice for both viewers and marketers? In this article, I will be discussing how these videos have received such popularity worldwide.

First, we need to understand what counts as and what is short-form content. According to blog.hubspot.com, “Short-form videos are videos that are less than 60 seconds long.” However, some marketers and content creators agree that short-form videos can be up to 3 minutes. “They are videos that deliver information in a ‘digestible’ format so that viewers can quickly watch and save content if they’re in a hurry or enjoy it.” Now, I’ll talk about the main reasons why these videos are so popular.

First, our attention spans have gone down exponentially. Dr Gloria Mark has written a book called “Attention Span,” and she says her research indicates people’s attention spans have been shrinking over the last 20 years. According to the same article Dr. Mark said that “Back in 2004, we found the average attention span on any screen to be two and a half minutes on average. Throughout the years, it became shorter. So, around 2012, we found it to be 75 seconds. Then in the last five, six years, we found it to average about 47 seconds.” So, it’s notable that our attention spans started out longer but then decreased over time.

Secondly, these videos have become cheaper and easier to make. Unlike long-form videos, which require extensive: planning, editing, and storytelling, short-form videos are simpler. To the point where they can even be shot on a smartphone. For example, DuoLingo, the app that helps learn new languages, went viral on TikTok a long time ago by posting funny, low-budget videos that resonate with millions. Like a video of a DuoLingo plus being: tossed down the stairs, sitting outside on a rainy day, or being soaked by the shower with the title “When you ignore my notifications.”

Lastly, they provide valuable information in a short amount of time, and they are easily accessible. According to a recent Adobe Survey, two in five Americans use TikTok as a search engine, and nearly one in 10 Gen Zeers are more likely to rely on TikTok than Google as a search engine. This isn’t always reliable for real news because anyone can claim to be an expert, and you wouldn’t know if they’re telling the truth. So, even though they give valuable information in a short time, they can also give misinformation or mislead you.

Short-form videos have changed how we watch and learn things. They fit our short attention spans, are easy to make, and share information quickly. Even though they’re fun and helpful, they can also spread false information or leave out important details. Even with these problems, short-form videos are here to stay, so we should use them in proportion, but also enjoy the benefits.

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Dr. Edward McInnis on the Importance of Preventive Care in Family Medicine

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2 days ago

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December 19, 2024

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Preventive care is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, emphasizing the importance of addressing potential health concerns before they escalate into severe conditions. By focusing on proactive measures such as regular screenings, vaccinations, and lifestyle counseling, preventive care offers individuals and communities the opportunity to achieve long-term wellness.

Below, Edward McInnis highlights the transformative potential of prevention in reducing healthcare disparities, alleviating systemic challenges, and ensuring that every individual has the tools and access needed to lead a healthier life.

Understanding Preventive Care in Family Medicine

Preventive care in family medicine focuses on proactive measures to maintain health and prevent illness before it occurs. This approach emphasizes regular health evaluations, screenings, and interventions that identify potential issues early, reducing the likelihood of severe complications. Preventive care fosters long-term well-being by addressing risk factors and promoting healthier lifestyles while minimizing the burden of chronic diseases.

The philosophy behind preventive care aligns with the idea that staying healthy is more effective and less costly than treating illnesses after they arise. Early detection of conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol allows patients and physicians to manage these issues effectively, preventing them from escalating into more severe health problems. Beyond individual benefits, this care model contributes to healthier communities by reducing the overall demand for healthcare systems.

Benefits of Preventive Care for Individuals and Communities

Preventive care profoundly impacts individuals and the broader community by addressing potential health concerns before they evolve into severe conditions. Early detection through routine screenings can significantly lower the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. This improves individual health outcomes and reduces the emotional and financial toll of managing advanced diseases.

Communities prioritizing preventive care experience a ripple effect of healthier populations and reduced strain on healthcare resources. When more people engage in regular check-ups and adopt healthier habits, the prevalence of preventable conditions drops, creating a collective benefit. Individuals who invest in their health through preventive measures often enjoy longer, more active lives, positively influencing families, workplaces, and society.

The economic advantages of preventive care are undeniable, as early intervention typically costs far less than treating advanced illnesses. Vaccination programs, such as those targeting seasonal flu or childhood diseases, can drastically curb outbreaks, saving lives and reducing medical expenses. These benefits demonstrate how preventive care is a cornerstone of sustainable and effective healthcare systems.

Core Preventive Services in Family Medicine

Family medicine emphasizes various preventive services designed to address health needs across all stages of life. Regular health screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks, are critical in identifying silent health risks. These assessments provide actionable insights that allow individuals to make timely adjustments to their lifestyles or begin treatment when necessary.

Vaccinations are another cornerstone of preventive care, protecting individuals and communities from infectious diseases. From childhood immunizations to seasonal flu shots, these interventions safeguard personal health and prevent the spread of illnesses within larger populations. Counseling services, including guidance on nutrition, exercise, and stress management, empower patients to take an active role in their long-term well-being.

The Role of Family Physicians in Prevention

Family physicians play a pivotal role in fostering preventive care through their ability to build lasting, trust-based relationships with patients. These relationships enable them to understand not just medical histories but also lifestyle factors, family dynamics, and social determinants of health. This comprehensive knowledge allows physicians to craft personalized preventive strategies that resonate with each patient’s unique circumstances, ensuring a more practical approach to maintaining health.

Beyond individual care, family physicians act as educators, equipping patients with the knowledge to make informed health decisions. Whether discussing the significance of regular screenings or addressing misconceptions about vaccines, their guidance helps patients take ownership of their health.

The continuity of care provided by family physicians also ensures that preventive measures are consistently monitored and adjusted as needed, fostering long-term well-being. Their ability to provide holistic and deeply personalized care sets the foundation for healthier patients and communities.

Challenges in Accessing Preventive Care

Despite its proven benefits, accessing preventive care remains challenging for many individuals and communities. Financial barriers, such as lack of insurance coverage or high out-of-pocket costs, often deter people from seeking preventive services. Additionally, limited awareness about the importance of early detection and health promotion means that some individuals may only prioritize preventive care once a health issue becomes severe.

Geographical disparities also play a significant role in limiting access. Rural and underserved areas frequently face shortages of healthcare providers, making it difficult for residents to receive consistent preventive services. In such regions, innovative approaches like mobile health clinics and telemedicine have emerged as solutions to bridge the gap. Expanding these efforts could help overcome logistical obstacles and ensure that preventive care reaches those most in need.

Cultural factors and mistrust of the healthcare system can further complicate access to preventive services. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes community engagement, culturally sensitive care, and efforts to build trust between healthcare providers and patients. Strengthening health literacy and facilitating dialogue between healthcare institutions and the communities they serve are also critical steps in overcoming these barriers.

Promoting and Advancing Preventive Care

Advancing preventive care depends on raising awareness and fostering a culture that values proactive health management. Educational campaigns, workplace wellness programs, and school-based health initiatives encourage people to adopt preventive practices. These efforts create an environment where individuals feel empowered to prioritize their well-being, leading to healthier lifestyles and earlier intervention.

The integration of technology is revolutionizing how preventive care is delivered. Wearable devices that track physical activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns provide individuals with real-time data about their health, prompting timely action when irregularities arise. Similarly, data analytics and predictive tools enable healthcare providers to identify at-risk populations and deliver targeted interventions, improving outcomes on a broader scale.

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