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BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“Globally, human rights remain under assault, whether by populist movements desperate to gain power or authoritarian governments eager to maintain it. Technology has opened up new frontiers for curbing people’s ability to express and share dissenting ideas.” World Politics Review, September 18th, 2020

What a crazy year it has been, and for some reason, I don’t think that it is going to slow down.

If I told you at the beginning of this year that we would be: socially distancing, wearing masks, unable to travel, cancelling large events, missing loved ones during the holidays, and closing down businesses many of us have worked hard in growing, you would have said to me, NO WAY!

Unfortunately, this has become our way of life.

Last weekend I attended my first protest here in Toronto, and I was moved by what I felt and saw. There is something about being around like-minded individuals that elevates your energy, and makes you feel less alone.

As many of our readers know, Toronto Caribbean Newspaper has taken a stance against the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. We believe that what is being done is completely against our human rights, and we have been interviewing highly regarded specialists in their fields who are also against the restrictions being placed on us by the global government system.

We do this because as a media source for the Caribbean community, we have to advocate for those who do not have a voice. We have to challenge the powers that be, and dissect their arguments, providing perspective for the community, and let the community know that we are fighting for them.

The past few months have seen a seemingly massive surge in protests globally. We are witnessing a huge wave of people taking to the streets to exercise their right to protest and demand change from those in power. Protesters are exercising their human rights and we are allowed to do so, especially when the reasons why people are taking to the streets are linked to human rights concerns.

Sadly, what we have noticed is a common theme. Protests have been met with an extremely harsh response from the global governments, which in many instances have amounted to gross violations of human rights: people being pepper sprayed, hosed down, shot, and arrested just because they are standing up for what they believe in.

The right to protest peacefully is not a crime. It is our human right to say what we want to say, as long as it is not infringing on the rights of others. It is really unfortunate that our governments have chosen to respond to these global protests in ways that are massively disproportionate, unwarranted, and unlawful.

I am writing this article to highlight the fact that people around the world are joining together, standing together for what they believe in.

I am writing this article so that those who feel alone in this fight can feel at peace knowing that they are not alone.

I am writing this article to show support to people around the world, who are bravely standing on the front lines for whatever cause they find important.

In saying that, let’s take a look at what is going on around the world.

Thailand
Students started the protest movement in Thailand, and it has attracted support from a wider cross-section of society. They organize their marches using organized online messaging platforms such as Telegram.

Even though they banned public gatherings of more than five people, the protestors made their voices heard loud and clear.
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Thailand’s Prime Minister has revoked emergency measures imposed on Bangkok following more than a week of daily anti-government protests in the nation’s capital and other cities.

It is because these students stood up for what they believed, that the state has reconsidered their actions, and it appears the severe situation which had resulted in an enactment of emergency decree.

Portugal
Hundreds of people in Portugal’s capital Lisbon took to the streets last week to protest against measures introduced by the government to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.
Protestors were heard shouting “freedom” and “truth” and carried banners saying “Down with the dictatorship,” “Masks create distrust,” and “fear is not a vaccine.”

Why did the people decide to stand up? It came after the Portuguese parliament approved a draft bill imposing mandatory masks in public spaces when the physical distance recommended by the government is not possible.

The use of a masks became mandatory for everyone over 10 years of age, and those violating the rule face a fine of between 100-500 euros.

Nigeria
The demonstrations in Nigeria began early this month with calls for Nigeria’s government to shut down the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a police unit known as SARS. The squad was originally launched to fight crime, but somehow, they became the criminals.

At least 51 civilians have been killed in Nigeria’s unrest following days of peaceful protests over police abuses. These deaths have sparked international condemnation.

A new wave of demonstrations began in early October around the world (including Toronto), with protesters speaking out against the brutality of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

There have been at least 82 cases of torture, ill treatment and extra-judicial execution by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020 (Amnesty International report).

CONGO
Exploitation in the mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now receiving global attention thanks to a new trending social media hashtag, #CongoIsBleeding. People in Congo are highlighting the child slavery, deadly conflicts and corruption spawned by the quest to feed mega companies with minerals.

Mines located east of the DRC are home to nearly 40,000 child laborers digging for the minerals that would eventually be utilized by Apple, Google and other giant corporations.

It was reported that children were working 12-hour days, some for just $2 a day, digging and hauling sacks of cobalt-rich rocks. What is devastating is that Congo’s government is not willing to ensure the security of the lives and property of its people in the coltan-rich towns.

This has led to rebel forces from Rwanda and Uganda; looting, torturing, raping and killing Congolese in these places all in the quest to profit from coltan produce.

Fights over natural resources in Congo has gotten out of hands and has sparked genocide in the country.

NAMBIA
The #ShutItDown protests started on October 8th, 2020 and has called for the resignation of Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Doreen Sioka. Sioka allegedly failed to meet with protestors and activists earlier in the year concerning women’s right to abortion.

Street protests led to the arrest of 25 women’s rights activists in Namibia. It has prompted the government to launch an urgent review to consider their demands for tougher penalties for rape and sexual abuse.

Naturally, the peaceful protests could not go without disturbance. Police detained 25 demonstrators, including two journalists, on Saturday for violating the country’s coronavirus lockdown curbs, but thankfully, the charges were dropped on Monday.

Toronto
“We will create events that are directly in opposition to any of their mandates and directives because their impositions are unfounded and illegal.” Lamont Daigle

Naturally, I had to bring it back home to Toronto, Canada.

Last Saturday happened to be one of the largest turnouts at Yonge –Dundas Square since The Line Canada started their protests in April 2020. We all showed up demanding an end to COVID-19 restrictions, mandatory masks, and we called on the government to open the economy back up so that people can work, businesses can thrive, and people don’t have to rely on government handouts.

I had a chance to sit down and dialogue with Lamont Daigle, the charismatic man who heads up The Line Canada. When you do get a chance, check out our interview on our MyTCNTV Network YouTube Page. During our jovial, yet powerful sit down; Lamont explains that The Line Canada was about defending civil liberties and rights, and standing up against government oppression, tyranny, and mind-numbing rhetoric.

What I enjoyed seeing that day was the fact that there were so many protests happening all at once. Regardless of the protest that was happening and why it was happening, protestors expressed their concern for on-going issues that are happening worldwide.

We are seeing protests in: Tel Aviv, Belarus, Poland, Italy, Australia, and countries in Africa. The right to protest is an important part of our human rights.

In Canada, Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the freedom of peaceful assembly. Protests are a way for people to express themselves for or against decisions made by the government or other powerful institutions.

I am proud to see that worldwide, people have taken to the streets to stand up for what they believe in.

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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4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Michael

    November 1, 2020 at 8:38 pm

    Thanks for standing up for medical freedom by writing this article. We need more people in the media who are brave enough to give a voice to Canadians who love freedom.

    • Fight4Freedom

      November 1, 2020 at 11:35 pm

      Amen! We need more media like this! Well done!

      Let’s spread the word!

  2. M.D.

    November 2, 2020 at 1:27 am

    An informative…motivational….and essential..article…..This current battle is about everything…as we know it…and we all must give accordingly….it’s life or death….we all must have but one focus…… down with all that is (who are)…draped in fascist eugenics attempting to take down global humanity…. Our thoughts and vision….nothing but…..ONWARD TO VICTORY…

    Demonstrate….stand tall….act…and band together…in unity… for one cause….all else is irrelevant

  3. Jane

    November 2, 2020 at 6:45 am

    Thank you for having the courage to go against the “official narrative”. We need more people like you, and more media outlets to tell the truth.

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Community News

Before we allow more people into the country, shouldn’t we prioritize the well-being of our citizens first?

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BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Greetings esteemed citizens of Canada. I am deeply troubled by a pressing issue that demands our attention. It pertains to our immigration policies and the welfare of our citizens.

I am bewildered by the continued influx of immigrants into our country while we struggle to adequately care for our own citizens. Take, for instance, a drive through Toronto, or a drive through Hamilton—it’s a stark reminder of the dire situation many Canadians face daily. We witness homelessness, lack of access to basic healthcare, and economic hardships plaguing our communities.

Homelessness continues to be an issue in Toronto, with thousands of people experiencing homelessness on any given night. The impacts of it are complex, long lasting, and devastating for many. Homelessness affects some of our community’s most vulnerable residents and contributes to ongoing health inequities.

Toronto is also experiencing a heightened number of non-fatal and fatal opioid overdoses within the overall community, as well as within the shelter system. This is primarily due to the increasing toxicity and unpredictability of the unregulated drug supply. According to the City of Toronto, in 2023, there were 169 calls to Toronto Paramedics from Toronto shelters and respites sites in Q4 of 2023 to respond to non-fatal overdoses. Over 2023, there were a total of 796 non-fatal suspected overdoses at Toronto shelter and respite sites, representing an 11% decrease from 2022.

Higher rates of illness and premature death among the homeless population have been widely recognized, and since January 2024, there have been 28 deaths in homeless shelters. The City says that they are committed to identifying and responding in a timely manner to new and emerging issues in the shelter system.

According to Homeless Statistics in Canada, the estimated number of homeless people ranges from 150,000 to 300,000, with 25,000 to 35,000 individuals homeless on any given night. Let’s take a look at this on a national scale:

Homelessness Statistics for Canadians

  • Between 25,000 and 35,000 people are homeless on any given night in Canada.
  • Toronto has the most homeless people in Canada.
  • 62% of homeless people in Canada are males.
  • 30% of Canadian homeless come from Indigenous communities.
  • 90% of homeless shelters in Canada are in: Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta, and 44% of them are in Ontario alone.
  • 22% of shelters are aimed at young homeless in Canada, while 20% of people experiencing homelessness are 13-24 years old.
  • The annual cost to society is over $7 billion.
  • The Canadian Government is investing $2.2 billion over ten years to expand funding for the homeless.

Yet, for some reason, the Canadian government strongly believes that it is in the best interest of our country to continue to push for higher immigration. Yes, I overstand that immigration is a complex issue with multifaceted implications. Canada has long prided itself on its tradition of welcoming immigrants, which enriches our cultural fabric and contributes to our economic growth. The only caveat is we as Canadians need to truly understand how this is affecting us as a whole.

According to Statista, annual immigration in Canada amounts to almost 500,000 new immigrants – one of the highest rates per population of any country in the world. As of 2023, there were more than eight million immigrants with permanent residence living in Canada – roughly 20% of the total Canadian population. In a press release titled “Canada welcomes historic number of newcomers in 2022,” it is proudly written that Canada has experienced one of the fastest recoveries from the pandemic, thanks in large part to our approach to immigration.

In the press release, they state that they plan to welcome a historic number of newcomers, and IRCC has: added resources, embraced new technology, streamlined processing, and brought more processes online. They claim that these changes are all important improvements to Canada’s immigration system, which will position them well for the future. They also state that their focus is on addressing the acute labour market shortages we are facing today and building a strong economy into the future, and one thing remains certain: “Immigration is a key part of the solution.”

“Today marks an important milestone for Canada, setting a new record for newcomers welcomed in a single year. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of our country and its people. Newcomers play an essential role in filling labour shortages, bringing new perspectives and talents to our communities, and enriching our society as a whole. I am excited to see what the future holds and look forward to another historic year in 2023 as we continue to welcome newcomers,” shared Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

I received an email from Maxime Bernier (PPC Leader), and in this email, he shared with me his thoughts. “I started talking about the perils of mass immigration years ago. The whole political and media establishment denounced me, smeared me, said I was a racist, a xenophobe, anti-Canadian. I kept telling the truth, because I care more about the future of our nation than about what these corrupt elites think of me.”

“More and more people now realize that I was right. Simone Jennifer, we need to make mass immigration the ballot box question at the coming election. When the Liberals took power in 2015, Canada’s population was only 35 million. How can we possibly integrate into our society, our economy, our housing market, our culture, the equivalent of Nova Scotia’s, or Saskatchewan’s population every few months? It’s a planned invasion. It’s a total disaster in the making.”

I understand the importance of immigration, especially because my parents are also immigrants, but before we allow more people into the country, shouldn’t we prioritize the well-being of our citizens first? How can we justify bringing more people into the country when we’re struggling to provide essential services and support to those already here?

I urge the government to reevaluate its immigration policies and ensure that they align with the needs of our citizens. We must prioritize the well-being of Canadians and work towards building a more inclusive and prosperous society for all.

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Ontario launches One Fare Program to increase accessibility and affordability of public transportation

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BY PAUL JUNOR

“We’re working with the provincial and local transit partners towards integrating transit fares across systems, making transit more affordable, and convenient as we take action to build the region’s network for the future.” (Metrolink)

Transit riders across the GTA will save $1,600 as they utilize multiple transit agencies at no extra charge. The program started on February 26th, 2024, and it allows transit riders transfer for free to commute between the TTC and other Transit agencies in the GTA, including GO Transit. All commuters need is to tap their PRESTO: card, credit, or debit in Google wallet to save money with the Ontario One Fare Program.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford states, “Our government is on a mission to keep costs down for the hardworking people of Ontario. One Fare will eliminate double fees and put $1,600 back in the pockets of transit riders. Alongside the hundreds of dollars, we’re saving for drivers by cutting the gas tax, scrapping road tolls, and eliminating the license plate sticker fee, we’re providing commuters with real tangible relief.”

The Ontario government has invested $70.5 billion in public transit that is intended to significantly improve the overall services. It is anticipated that there will be more than eight million new riders as they traverse different public transit systems. Commuters will be able to travel between: GO Transit, TTC, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay, and York Region Transit.

Vijay Thanigasalam (Associate Minister of Transportation) states, “At a time when many families feel like they’re struggling to get ahead, our government is making public transit simpler, more convenient, and more affordable. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we will continue to make historic investments in public transit and put money back in commuters’ pockets, where it belongs.”

It was in 2022 when it was announced that plans were underway between GO Transit and several transit agencies in the Golden Horseshoe Area. “The government will continue to work with municipal partners to identify opportunities to make transit more seamless for riders by harmonizing discounted fares and other measures.”

Overall, there will be an investment of $70.5 billion by the Ontario government in public transit that will go a long way in increasing affordability and accessibility of different transit systems in the GTA and Golden Horseshoe areas. The project will also involve: the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the Yonge North Subway Extension, which is the largest development of any subway system in all of Canada. When completed, there will be a two-way, all-day GO train service every 15 minutes that will connect key areas in the Golden Horseshoe. It is projected to be completed by 2031.

Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto is totally supportive and pleased with the unveiling of the One Fare Program. She states, “Public transit should be a convenient and affordable option for getting to work, school, or running errands. Ontario’s One Fare will make it easier and cheaper to transfer between the: TTC, GO Transit, and other transit agencies. When governments continue to work together, we can make life more affordable and invest in public services families rely on, like high quality public transit that costs you less.”

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Your silence on crimes against humanity automatically makes you an accomplice

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Photo Credit: Roman-Odintsov

BY MICHAEL THOMAS

“Many people wonder: who is responsible for the process of self-destruction of human society? Today, to some extent, the responsibility falls on everyone. On some more than others, but on everyone. Why? Because people are silently accepting the current changes, which are literally crimes against humanity.”

The above is a quote from Elijah plus the Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate Methodius OSBMr + Timothy OSBMr and the Secretary Bishops. Now let us examine why this quote was made using present-day society as the barometer.

A good example of this nonsense here in Canada is children having the right to choose their gender while parents are being threatened with jail time if they intervene. It’s these so-called hate speech laws, and so-called laws to keep independent thinkers from accessing worldwide news and posting it on their social media platforms.

“Parliament gets presented with an unintelligible text, which is impossible to decode. Besides, the MPs usually pass multiple laws at the same time; hence they have no possibility and time to find out what they are supposed to pass altogether,” said the Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate.

Here are some of the crimes (that these so-called laws that are drafted and eventually passed) are designed to hide.

Feminization, the breakdown of family, gender ideology, and stealing children from their mothers are promoted under the term “domestic violence protection.” Make sure there are no fathers in the homes, or even if there are, he is muted, or scared of having his authority labelled as toxic masculinity.

In Norway, 70-100 stolen children commit suicide every year and the information about it is marked as confidential. In some cases, foster family is a business where children are being passed around until they are mentally bankrupt, oppressed, and eventually killed. Based on the financial status of the so-called foster parents, these cases never make the news.

We are seeing anti-discriminatory laws included in the legislation allowing mass discrimination of the majority. Systematic demoralization of children from the time they attend kindergarten is covered by the term sexual education.

“Children are robbed of their own identity by pounding in their minds that they are neither a girl, nor a boy. Consequently, they undergo hormonal therapy with a catastrophic prospect of gender-altering surgery. The society is silent about it and therefore has a shared accountability for all these crimes,” shared the Byzantine Bishops.

Some of these schools have hundreds of students. My questions are, why don’t these parents join hands and say enough is enough, instead of just one or two? Canadians, have we become a society of parents who are continually failing our children? When are we going to wake up?

Here are some of the trials our babies face daily. “Even before the child is born, mothers are forced to have it killed. Almost every mother is intimidated by having a child with so-called Down Syndrome. In reality, this is a mental terror based on lies,” said Byzantine Bishops. “As soon as the children are born, they are administered vaccines, which cause: autism, loss of immunity, loss of fertility, autoimmune diseases, cancer, etc.”

Again, where are the collective voices of our men and women saying hell no to all this? There is an enormous amount of the money that pediatricians make from the vaccines they force on these innocent children. These child doctors know full well the side effects of such vaccines, but instead, they are focused on their next: Porsche, cottage, and furnishing their high-society wives and husbands with all the luxury items, while they poison our children, and what do we do? NOTHING.

The average North American child doctor has 1,500 patients; if he or she gets most of them to take all the child vaccines, he or she is rewarded with at least $360.000. That’s way more than their annual salary. This should explain the push to vaccinate your babies at all costs. This information can be found in the BlueCross/BlueShield Doctor Incentive Booklet. Every child that gets the 24 vaccines is worth a $400 payout to that doctor.

The abuse of medicine has now become the new normal. This happens under the cover of The World Health Organization (WHO); projects are being imposed on states to reduce human population.  “We can expect the declaration of the next pseudo-pandemic followed by experimental vaccination. This not only poses a mortal danger to human life but also carries the threat of concealed chipping,” said Byzantine Bishops.

From Smartphone addiction (aka making our children braindead), the digitization of everything (aka spying on us), intervention in our food supply (aka poisoning us with GMOs), to the falsification of science for satanic agendas (aka the safe and effective COVID brew), there is no hiding place from this war that is unleashed on world citizens by corporations and so-called governments.

The big question is, are we going to give up or fight? Canadians, choose as if your life depended on it, because it does.

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