justice award for Ontario Labour Leader

Benefitting from Armstrong and Upshaw good human rights work in labour movement

By William Doyle-Marshall

  Fred Upshaw, retired President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union has been presented with the Bromley L. Armstrong. The first person of African heritage to head a major labour union received immense praise from his peers including Mohammed Baksh of the Steelworkers Union.

 Bromley Armstrong, retired labour leader after whom the award is named told Upshaw it was a great honour to make the presentation to him, being the first union president of African heritage.  Upshaw was obviously pleased that the Equity Committee of the Toronto and York Labour Council had selected him for the honour. “When you spend the hours, day in and day out, night in and night out that there is one person that’s in the background. They are not part of the work that you have to do except for the fact that they support you all the way. So I want to say to my wife Rosemary ‘thank God that I have a wife like you who allow me to do the things that I do,” Upshaw said

          Bromley Armstrong and Fred Upshaw

   “Bromley set a standard for a hell of a lot of us leaders. He set a standard that was tough for us to adhere to but he built in the labour movement and he put his rocks up there. I came along and I placed another rock a little further up and there are people behind me that will keep putting rocks up there and we’ll be going bigger and bigger and bigger,” Upshaw continued.

   “I have to admit that we are standing on big shoulders,” says Guyanese-born Mohammed Baksh of the Steelworkers Union. Because of Armstrong’s struggles and some of the groundbreaking things he has done Baksh concludes he and other visible minorities have been really encouraged.  The retired labour leader has inspired many to get involved and he continues to be an inspiration. Baksh regards the Labour Council’s decision to name the award after Armstrong ‘really amazing’. “I think it is really a good thing for us to look forward to and to participate,” he added.

   Upshaw is seen as an amazing individual who, as the head of OPSEU handled and resisted lots of attacks on visible minorities and came through successfully. “Fred has done some amazing things in the field of human rights and anti-racism for many, many years. I sat on a Canadian Labour Congress Committee with him and it was such an inspiration just to be there with him to hear his thoughts and his thinking and some of the ideas he came up with and it all goes toward the future generation because 25-30 years ago he was thinking of the people coming up then and today again, we are benefitting from all the good work that Bromley and Fred have done in the field of human rights in the labour movement,” Baksh continued.

   Marie Clarke-Walker, executive vice president of the Canadian Labour Congress warned trade unionists that they are living in a time when not just Conservative Governments, not just neo-conservatives and neo-liberals but everyone is attacking the trade union movement and progressive movements.

  John Cartwright, president of the Toronto and York Labour Council, believes it is really quite special to have the Bromley L. Armstrong Award go to Upshaw, the first Black leader of a major trade union in Canada. Thinking of Armstrong’s history and work Cartwright confessed “we always look at him as a ground breaker, as a pioneer, well Fred in his way, was very much a ground breaker and pioneer.”

  Reflecting on the 1990’s when Upshaw was at the helm of OPSEU, Cartwright noted recession was hitting Ontario. It was a time of terrible restraint. Initially there were lots of questions about the government response. The Rae Government decided to bring in the social contract and that immediately created a huge dilemma for Fred and others in the labour movement. “So it was very tough. It was like a fight inside the family and those are the hardest fights. But also Fred within OPSEU pushed to ensure that the human rights component was robust; it wasn’t just a token thing; that the entire membership and leadership of OPSEU embraced equity, embraced human rights, embrace an anti-racist understanding of who we are and where we are as a people,” Cartwright recalled.

   Past recipients of the include Bromley L. Armstrong Award included June Veecock, past human rights director of the Ontario Federation of Labour; Hassan Yussuff, secretary treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress; Marie Clarke-Walker, executive Vice President of the CLC; Janice Gairey, current Human Rights Director of the Ontario Federation of Labour.

May 17, 2013

new school for Corail, Haiti

multi-level, multi-dimensional Haitian School project

By William Doyle-Marshall

A new school to accommodate Haitian children residing in the slum area of Corail will open in September. Details of the project were released by Dr. Eric Pierre, president of Pierspective Entraide Humanitaire earlier this month at an appreciation affair held downtown Toronto. The community that developed following the serious devastating earthquake when 1500 displaced persons occupied the lands has grown to a slum of 100,000 in three years.

the process of Building of the elementary/vocational Catholic school in Corail, near Port-au-           Prince is being undertaken in cooperation with Pierspective’s partner in Haiti, Aide Mutuelle pour un Environnement Nouveau. Four hundred children will be attending the new school, scheduled to open in September but only 80 students will begin classes initially at the start of the school year. Right now the facilities are being used as a vocational school where young people are being trained to become mechanics, masons and plumbers. On weekends there will be sewing and knitting classes and other fine arts instructions for women.

   “It’s really a multi-level, multi-dimensional project. It’s really a grandiose project with a vision, that is going to have an impact on the community,” Dr. Pierre explained

   In addition individuals from the neighbourhood are being taught courses on citizenship in preparation for the society. The organizers are considering the use of the school as a community center, once it is completed. They are in the process of building a basketball course. Hopefully the young people who use the facility would volunteer with completing the project, says Dr. Pierre.

                         Dr. Eric Pierre flanked by colleagues at appreciation ceremony

   “In terms of job creation: in terms of buying Haitian construction materials: the people who contribute don’t realize the ripple effect of those donations. It’s really far and wide. They are really helping the people in that community, whether young people, adults, families. It’s really quite far reaching,” Dr. Pierre reflected.

  The school project is being pursued with partners in Haiti. Because the Canadian organization was unable to generate every day, the Haitian partners have been looking for other contributors to assist. Recently a group of French Canadians went down to help and they took some money which helped propel the venture forward. So far donations for the school from Canada are in the vicinity of $100,000.

   In the meantime, Perspectives has developed a computer center -- inaugurated in 2012 -- at another end of the city in an established area where there was the school Republic Da Cuba donated by Cuba back in the 1940s. It was a big schools, several stories high that was completely flattened by the hurricane. Dr. Pierre originally thought of rebuilding the structure but the estimate of $750,000 caused some re-thinking of the idea. That resulted instead in construction of the computer center on the site. Haitian partner in this venture is Action Communautaire de Meyotte
   Meanwhile, Dr. Pierre said the Haitian people are still concerned about unfulfilled pledges made following the hurricane. While some have not been honoured, those made through established agencies like the Red Cross are reduced when monies eventually arrive in Haiti. According to Dr. Pierre observers on the ground are alleging that Haiti is receiving approximately ten percent of the pledges after administrative costs are deducted from the pledges.

  “The concern is still there. First there have been a lot of pledges that have not been executed and secondly, the word out there, out of every dollar given to Haiti through those organizations, perhaps 10% reach the Haitian people. Some of that money actually goes back through contracts or corruption or whatever else, go right back to the donor countries: contracts to companies and sometimes the contracts were not genuine or they get bogged down in meetings and a lot of money is being spent on staff and trips. That is the whole picture. Some of the money did reach but definitely it is not what you would expect. 10% is the number being tossed around.”

May 24, 2013  

carnival 2013 media launch

Toronto Summer Carnival Launched Minus Masqueraders

By William Doyle-Marshall

Scotiabank has extended its commitment to be the title sponsor of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival formerly known as Caribana for another three years. Christine Williams, vice president, announced this at the official media launch in Toronto Tuesday morning at the Ontario Science Center.

  The senior banking executive reminded media representatives that in 2008 her company became the title sponsor. That was extended for another three years in 2010. In announcing this new extension of the title sponsorship Williams said the partnership started an exciting new chapter for the bank because the Caribbean is where its international story began in 1889 by opening its doors in Kingston, Jamaica before its Toronto headquarters opened.    

  The media launch organized by the Festival Management Committee under the direction of Chief Executive Officer Denise Herrera-Jackson, fell short of expectation. It was a carnival media launch minus live masqueraders or models wearing costumes. Press and television representatives had to settle for plastic mannequins clothed in old costumes. They are still wondering whether this is a sign of austerity hitting the festival. “Something was sent out about parade of costumes but it did not happen,” the CEO admitted.

  “We were told that it is difficult to collect models for this time. The models are the masqueraders. What we have is models, people who come and do the costumes. I don’t know where the masqueraders are honestly. The ones who come to formal events like this are models. TMBA has models who would model the costumes. We do contract with the TMBA to provide models for different events. We didn’t get models for this event,” Herrera-Jackson explained. A junior steelband – Toronto All Stars Steel Orchestra -- directed by Salmon Cupid and Soca Monarch Connector entertained the gathering. It was a very lean programme of entertainment for a major cultural event that attracts millions of dollars into the province’s coffers.

Soca Monarch Joel "Connector" Davis

  Lesley Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of the Science Center said her 91 year old mother will be watching the festival parade from the bleachers of the CNE this year as she has done in the past.  When an alliance with the carnival was first proposed by Vishnu Ramcharan, a staff member, it was a natural fit for the science center. It reflects who the organization is, its values and commitment to communicating that science is everywhere. “Our diverse cultural histories and traditions are what make the city so vibrant and the festival is a stunning example, Lewis observed.

  The Ontario Science Center’s Innovation In Mas’ Award to masquerade creation is being presented for the fourth consecutive year. It recognizes that science is not only found in labs and engineering is not just about building amazing structures. The mas’ camp work is evidence of this and we recognize that, the CEO said. The center’s work with the festival is in keeping with its vision to inspire a life-long journey of curiosity, discovery and action to create a better future for the planet.

Laura Albanese MPP for York South-Weston, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport disclosed that the Government of Ontario appreciates the important role that festivals and events like the Caribbean carnival play in our Province. “They enrich our quality of life and they enrich our economy,” she added.

  “Ontario’s tourism industry contributes over $23 billion for our economy. Festivals and events throughout the province support over 22,000 jobs. Marquee festivals like this one confirm the World Economics finding that Canada is still one of the world’s top ten tourist destinations, among the 140 nations in tourism visits and expenditure. Leading the way is Ontario.” The festival is credited with bringing in to the city every summer $132 million --a great impetus for the tourism industry and the province of Ontario.

  The Ontario parliamentary admitted that Ontario is an international destination and the Caribbean Carnival helps it to make it so as visitors from across Canada and the U.S. join in these celebrations. So this carnival continues to grow and the minister thanked the Caribbean community, creators, organizers and volunteers, Scotiabank and all the sponsors while admitting that their contributions help to raise Ontario’s profile as a truly international travel destination – a place that provides memorable experiences.

   Albanese said the Jump Up of the Season is just around the corner as Toronto gets set to enjoy the sights, the sounds, the savoury foods and the excitement of the most energetic and biggest outdoor party in North America. Two million people in one big celebration of Caribbean culture, is how she described the colourful festival. “This is indeed a feast that indeed no one would like to miss,” she observed. In the circumstances, the parliamentary assistant welcomed all the Caribbean nations, all friends from the U.S. and around the world to the 2013 version of this major Caribbean cultural festival that has become known to the world as Caribana. Albanese was proud that the festival continues to build on more than four and a half decades of tradition in the City of Toronto. She described the festival as a “spectacular expression of Caribbean culture in a symbol of our diverse multicultural community.

 

May 21, 2013

T&T PM Searching for competitiveness boost

T&T Partnership Government want to boost competitiveness

By William Doyle-Marshall

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the aim of her government is to create an inclusive people-centered society. “We believe that everyone should have an opportunity to contribute to the development of Trinidad and Tobago so our highest mission is the development of our citizens. I understand that many of you have expressed a desire to give back to Trinidad and Tobago and we acknowledge with gratitude hour generosity and loyalty to your Motherland.”

   Speaking to nationals at a farewell reception at the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in Toronto, the Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada for extending the invitation to her for a State Visit to the country. “I am very happy that we were able to sign two agreements – one is in the area of crime and security. Two of the memoranda of Understanding signed between both governments deals with broad areas of security, the penal system, education, disaster preparedness, health care,education and energy.

Nationals of Trinidad & Tobago turned out to meet PM in Toronto.

Denise Herrera-Jackson, CEO, Festival Management Committee, left, Dr.Rita Cos and Councillor Michael Thompson were in a Fairmount Hotel gathering meeting PM Persad-Bissessar.

   The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Ministry of National Security of Trinidad and Tobago reinforces Trinidad and Tobago’s longstanding membership in the Department of National Defence’s Military Training and Cooperation Program.  The cross-accreditation of a Canadian Defence Attaché to the Caribbean nation will serve to further expand defence links between the two countries.

  Emphasizing education is very key to her as a former Minister of Education, the Prime Minister believes it is the key to a better life and the passport out of poverty. The educational memorandum of understanding signed between the University of Trinidad and Tobago and Brock University is a development that grew directly out of a visit to Port of Spain in February organized by Helen Atteck, widow of the late Phil Atteck in observance of the 45^th anniversary of St. Catharines and Port of Spain Twinning relationship. Rick Dykstra, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines in the House of Commons, called the MoU “a tribute to the work of Phil Atteck and others in in the St. Catharines Twinning Association. We anticipate this spirit will only continue to strengthen our communities.”
   Prime minister Persad-Bissessar and her Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper witnessed the signing of the accord on Parliament Hill aimed at accelerating levels of collaboration between Canada and the twin island Republic. Signatories to the document were Brock University President Jack Lightstone, and Curtis Manchoon, Chairman of the UTT Board of Governors.

   “We look forward to working with the Government of Canada and I think we have a long way to go. We have a history of working with Canada, partnering with Canada, cooperating with Canada and we have this diversity that Canada has that we have also in our own country,” Persad-Bissessar stressed.

   Responding to questions of how can nationals in the Diaspora help the Prime Minister said the transfer of skills and expertise would be appreciated. Acknowledging that nationals who migrated to Canada have grown and learnt much, her government has identified priority areas for development as movements are made to move forward to diversifying its economy away from traditional dependence on oil and gas.

   The People’s Partnership Government is looking at ways to boost the country’s competitiveness and to encourage greater business involvement in the about six sectors. They include Information communication technology, light manufacturing, clean technology to include renewable and alternative energy; maritime industries; the creative industries: fashion, film, animation, music, Carnival arts and Agri-business.

  “We do believe that for sustainable development we must have food security,” Persad-Bissessar continued. Many were alarmed that Trinidad and Tobago was dumping thousands of tons of pumpkin grown by farmers because they had no agro-processing facilities for these products. Consequently the Prime Minister said the agri-business sector has a lot of potential for helping to diversify the country’s economy and help to gain food security so Trinidad and Tobago can be a nation that can feed itself.

May 5, 2013

Diversity Symposium for Parliament?

Take Diversity Symposium to Parliament Hill where it could resound across the land

By William Doyle-Marshall

Four advocates in the field of diversity and equity were awarded at the inaugural Community Inclusive Reference Group (CIRG) symposium held in York Region recently. They are Karmel Taylor former Coordinator of Community Initiatives: Community Partners with Schools (COMPASS) was selected for the Honourary DEIAS Award in the Individual Category. Karen Friedman, Superintendent of Schools. York Region District School Board; Richard Pinnock, Sr. Manager, Diversity & Inclusion, People and Organizational Capability with Walmart Canada Corp. and Evelina Silveira, President of Diversity At Work in London.

Diversity Award winners at York Region symposium with Michael Bowe, left, coordinator; Evelina Silveira, President of Diversity At Work, a firm based in London, Ontario; Karen Friedman, Superintendent of Schools, York Region District School Board Joyce Colquette sister of Karmel Taylor former Coordinator of Community Initiativesand Dr. Jean Augustine, Ontario’s Fairness Commissioner. The other Award Winner Richard Pinnock, Sr. Manager, Diversity & Inclusion, People and Organizational Capability with Walmart Canada Corp.is missing from the photo.(William Doyle-Marshall pix)

Four hundred participants attended the two day symposium co-chaired by Doug Loweth, Director of Clinical Services and Family Life Education Catholic Community Services of York Region and Mary Beth McLeod, Executive Director of The York Centre for Children, Youth and Families.

The CIRG was established three years ago as a forum for organizations who serve children, youth and families from diverse communities in York Region. Consequently, participants included organizations and individuals seeking to embrace diversity, equity and inclusivity in their business practices. “We came together to support and learn from each other as we recognized that we needed to change our practices to be responsive to the diverse communities of York Region,” the co-chairs recalled.

Fairness Commissioner Dr. Jean Augustine contended in her keynote speech, the ground-breaking symposium is on the cutting edge of best practices promoting diversity, promoting equity and promoting inclusion. Impressed by the more than 30 workshops over the two days of the event, Dr. Augustine suggested the incredible topics should be repeated across the country as well as on Parliament Hill “where it could resound across the land”

Noting the immigrant population of this country comes from source countries like India, Pakistan, the Philippines and China, Dr. Augustine stressed the vital necessity of Canadian society embracing diversity. “Embrace means I recognize that you exist and I recognize that you are one with me and me with you,” the Commissioner emphasized. Anticipating change in demographics by 2031, Dr. Augustine noted that in York Region alone the projection is that visible minorities (Canadian born and those born outside of Canada) would make up 62% of the population.

“We need to be ready, we need to be prepared, we need to attract, we need to integrate and we need to ensure that people stay with us in our organizations, as our neighbours around us because we know that newcomers bring talent, energy, ideas, international business contacts, languages and higher levels of education. They bring all of that to our various and varying communities into Canada,” Dr. Augustine continued.

Stephen Lewis, Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University reported to symposium participants in his keynote address that his American-based advocacy organization AIDS Free World was involved in serious efforts to gain equity for the gay community in Jamaica, Trinidad and Belize. The first ever domestic challenge against Jamaica’s Sodomy laws and challenge to the Immigration Act in Trinidad which bans entry to homosexuals and disabled peoples who are described as idiots in the legislation, are now before the Inter American Commission on Human Rights, Lewis disclosed. In addition, he cited a litany of human rights violations against women and children in places like India and Africa that are receiving his organization’s attention.

Inspector Ricky Veerapan of York Regional Police believes follow the session, participants must examine where they are because both keynote speakers set some incredible contexts for them to look at their history. “It’s about looking at where we are right now and more importantly what do we plan to do about it. How do we plan to move the yardstick forward,” the police officer said.

The Children’s Aid Society was among presenters. Its representatives shared with participants its attempt to deal with oppression and racism through its Anti Oppression Anti Racism Steering Committee.

Aubrey Gonsalves, president of CUPE2316 Local representing workers of the Society, reviewed the Steering Committee’s work The agency has 800 staff, foster parents and volunteers and that requires the use of many different initiatives in order to communicate. Gonsalves serves on the committee “which has some level of decision-making power. This is to make CAS’ policy implementation process more effective and strengthen the efforts of its members.

May 4, 2013

feds $ Million energy investment in GTA

Feds Big Spending on Clean Energy Project in GTA

By William Doyle-Marshall

The Government of Canada will invest over $21 million for thirteen innovative clean energy projects in the Greater Toronto Area. This was announced Friday by Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport) and Member of Parliament for Bramalea–Gore–Malton during a press conference at the University of Toronto,
They are among 55 new innovative clean energy projects announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, representing an investment of more than $82 million through the Government of Canada’s ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative. The program was created to invest in new clean energy technologies that will create jobs, generate economic opportunities and help protect the environment, Gosal said.

Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport) and MP for Bramalea-Gore-Malton, right announced million dollar funding for green projects last Friday at the University of Toronto. Participating in the brief media event were Professor Farid N. Najm and Professor Reza Irvani, coordinator of the Centre for Applied Power Electronics, University of Toronto. (William Doyle-Marshall photo)

   “This programme is investing $268 million to support research, development and the demonstration of innovative and clean energy technologies with focus on five areas – energy efficiency, clean electricity and renewables, bio-energy, electrification of transportation and unconventional oil and gas,” the minister disclosed. The government funding initiative is designed to support collaboration and innovation among Canadian colleges and universities, industry and government to develop and demonstrate clean energy technologies and innovation to produce and use energy more cleanly and efficiently,

   Professor Reva Iravani, Coordinator of the University of Toronto’s Centre for Applied Power Electronics (CAPE) said the his institution is involved with are a hybrid circuit breaker which is a stand-alone product that enables and facilitates protection of a large class of smart grid components and products and development of a utility grid controller for remote micro grids with high penetration of renewables.

   Although the federal government is providing funding for these initiatives no one could provide specific time line for completion so that benefits could be realized. Some of them are for one and a half year; some of them are up to three and a half years. Professor Iravani said by the end of the project, “potentially we have products depending on the mandate of the proposal either for demonstration or for test.” Minister Gosal agreed and explained that the project started with the 2011 budget of the federal government. “It’s on a five year basis so already funding has been awarded to different companies. It is ongoing funding so that these are done in time,” he added.

   According to Gosal this funding will help in the search for long-term solution to reduce air pollution and energy production and use. Through the ecoENERGY Innovation funding worth more than $82 million 55 promising projects across Canada will be supported. The initiative by the Government of Canada is designed to help widen and strengthen the foundation of Canada’s growing clean technology sector, the minister promised. In the Toronto area 13 projects are receiving funding from ecoENERGY Innovation initiative totaling over $21 million. “Several of these projects including one at the University of the Toronto deals with smart grid technologies which are key to brighter, greener economic future of Canada,” Gosal assured.

   He stressed, smart grid that is responsive and dynamic and allows customers to manage their energy use while better integrating their energy sources, is needed. Gosal announced government funding for Eco-energy innovation undertaking totaling almost $9.4 million for four smart grid research projects in the Toronto area. $560,000 is for the University of Toronto Faculty of Engineering project examining battery storage for a utility grid. UofT is also receiving $300,000 for a bio-energy feasibility study.

    A project by Prolucid Technologies in Mississauga will be funded to the tune of $1.5 million for a venture connecting renewable energy to the grid. Hatch also of Mississauga will be receiving $1.99 million for a micro grid test center for integration of new energy sources in remote communities. The Canadian Standards Association is receiving $1.8 million to assist with standards research and Owens Corning of Scarborough is receiving $1.96 million to integrate renewable energy and conservation measures in building of five Net-Zero Energy Housing communities. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is receiving$1 million to develop a solar energy yield test standard and over $3 million is going to Dana Canada for two projects designed to improve batteries for use in electrical vehicles.

   The ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative has received $268 million in funding over five years to fund research, development and demonstration projects that produce and use energy in a more clean and efficient manner

May 5, 2013