here - CaribbeanGraphic

Different & Dynamic. Bigga, Brighta, Betta!
Volume 10 • Number 01 • Jan 13, 2016
• Website: www.caribbeangraphic.ca
• Tel: 647-669-9320 Fax: 416-292-2943
• Email: caribbeangraphic@rogers.com
Guyana Listed As A 2016 Must Visit
Emerging Destination
Guyana, South America Undiscovered- On
the cusp of the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations Guyana has been accorded yet another distinction, having been
featured in the Business Insider UK’s ‘ 12
Emerging destinations you have to visit in
2016’.
In this most recent feature, Broadcast journalist and photojournalist, Anisha Shah
explains that 2016 is all about emerging
destinations.
“Wilderness, wildlife and culture; these
themes will illuminate the year’s travel
itineraries. Escapism and authenticity are
key and nowhere offers them quite like
fledgling and far-flung nations,” she said.
In sharing her perception of the destination,
Shah, who is now a freelance journalist for
CNN, BBC Travel and Huffington Post
wrote, “Dripping in rainforests, Guyana’s
untouched pristine interior is sparsely populated, home only to few Amerindian villages. Wildlife far outnumbers the people,
with jaguars, pumas and sloths the real
locals. The majority of people inhabit the
Northeastern narrow Atlantic Ocean coastline of blonde castaway beaches backed
by dense forest, home to endangered sea
turtles. Kaieteur Falls, one of the grandest
falls you’ve never heard of, is the world’s
widest single-drop waterfall, peaking at
76m and encased in virgin ancient jungle.
Seeing it by tiny charter flight is unforgettable.”
“Why Now? You’ve heard of Iguazu and
Angel Falls, read about Galapagos wildlife and Brazil’s rainforest but Guyana is
a small nation with all of the above, where
you won’t come across another tourist…
just yet.”
Also making the list of the 12 Emerging
Travel Destinations to visit in 2016 were,
Glacier Bay National Park: Alaska, Japan,
Gabon, Uganda, Iran, Taiwan, Madagascar, the Arctic: Iceland, Greenland, and
Norway, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea
and Kyrgyzstan.
These recent accolade augurs well for Guyana, as the destination prepares to celebrate
its Golden Jubilee with great fanfare and
welcomes any opportunity to promote the
vibrancy, raw authentic adventure, stunning scenery and rich culture that is unique
to this South American country.
According to the Hon. Tourism Minister,
Catherine Hughes, Guyana’s unique blend
of tourism products is as rich and as at-
tractive as those found in any part of the
world.
She noted too that the Destination has the
potential to attract a wide cross section of
travelers with varying interests , and the
ability to lure those looking for unique adventures in ‘off the beaten path’ destinations .
Over the years, Guyana has cemented its
position as a leading Sustainable Tourism Destination, and has gained international recognition as ‘National Geographic
Traveler 2014’s must-see places on planet
earth. Guyana earned a coveted spot on
this exclusive, very short list for the very
first time in 2014’and BBC Travel’s ‘Five
destinations you should know more about’,
among many others.
The Destination features an irresistible
combination of captivating natural beauty;
pristine Amazonian rainforests; immense
waterfalls; amazing wildlife, blended with
a vibrant indigenous culture, rich heritage
and the most hospitable and friendly people in the world; niche products include
Bird Watching, Sport Fishing, Community Based Tourism, Wildlife Spotting and
Yachting.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s Back Home From Nevis Vacation
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau is back home after taking a
break from the cold with a New Year
holiday in St. Kitts and Nevis. Trudeau,
his wife Sophie and their children,
Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien, spent
10 days on Nevis at the Paradise Beach
Resort.
The privately-owned resort at which
the Trudeau family stayed, opened in
late June and is an exclusive spot for
luxury, outdoor wellness, and absolute
privacy. It is the only resort on the island to boast beachfront villas.
Previous famous guests of the 36-mile
volcanic island include Alexander
Hamilton, Princess Diana, Oprah Winfrey, and Michael Douglas.
Although Trudeau’s trip was a holiday, he got an official farewell at the
Bradshaw International Airport in St.
Kitts last Friday from Prime Minister
Dr. Timothy Harris and Minister of
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Foreign Affairs Mark Brantley.
The prime minister said his administration was trying to persuade the Canadian government to restore visa-free
travel to the North American country
for citizens St. Kitts and Nevis as a
number of reforms have been undertaken to restore the integrity of the Citizenship-by-Investment Programme.
Harris said he had discussed the matter
with Trudeau.
Page 2
Quietly and without much public fanfare,
Alima’s Roti & Pastry (Unit 49-13 Kenview Blvd, Barmpt0n) has added a full
range of delicious “Eat Easy” frozen convenience foods to its already ultra impressive, highly popular range of food offerings. As a favourite destination for persons
in the Greater Toronto Area and way beyond, who appreciate authentic Caribbean
roti and pastries, Alima’s has been providing take-out (only) service since its 1990
opening. Its menu offerings include Roti
Wraps, Parathas, Dhalpuris, an
impressive array of Guyanese
and Trinidadian pastries, and
traditional Loaf Breads.
Recently, as a means of catering
to the needs of busy moms, dads
and young professionals, Alima’s introduced a wide selection of conveniently packaged and frozen “Eat Easy”
dishes. Alima’s now impressively extensive
range of “Eat Easy” items include lamb and
beef pepperpot, stewed fish or beef, dhal
and a host of curries: chicken, beef, lamb,
shrimp, duck, katahar/chataigne, gilbaka
fish, even mango, pumpkin and for ultra
vegetarians, soya chunks.
The Katahar/Chataigne Curry includes Coconut milk to add a second layer of Asian
flavor. It’s amazingly delicious when eaten
with hot parathas.
There are also chokas: baigan, tomato and
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
“Eat Easy” At Alima’s
bhagee/spinach, all of which can be combined with the “Eat Easy” Rice or Roti.
Rice options include plain (white) rice as
well as Peas and Rice. The roti skins, Paratha, Dhalpuri and Aloo (mashed potato)
roti, are very conveniently packaged; each
skin is cut in two, rolled and each piece is
sealed in a plastic pouch. Both the parathas and dhalpuris are also available in
whole wheat flour varieties. All of Alima’s
Frozen Convenience ‘Eat Easy” Meals are
sold in a 1 lb containers while the Parathas
braan invited me to sample the Lamp
Pepper-Pot with some aniseed plait bread.
As a means of ensuring that I could share
the “East Easy” dining experience, he also
provided a container of the Gilbaka Fish
Curry and some paratha rotis for the Resident Love Goddess to sample.
For the uninitiated, Pepper- Pot is a traditional Guyanese Christmas breakfast dish.
It originated in the Amazon Rain Forest
area in Guyana. It is a rich stew made from
meats and Casareep; a Cassava/Yucca ex-
and Dhalpuris are in plastic boxes of five
(ten pieces)
Within the first few months of their introduction I had, at the invitation of Gibraan
Ali, who with his wife Alima co-owns the
business, sampled quite a few of the “Eat
Easy” convenient frozen foods. The carnivore that I am, I’d tended to stick primarily
to the meat dishes and found all, without
exception, to be worthily delicious. I’d also
tried the rice and peas and frozen dhalpuris
as well, much to my gastronomical delight.
Just prior to the Christmas Holidays, Gi-
tract. When slowly cooked for hours, it
develops a sweet gummy texture, that is almost black. The peppers add a hot punch to
it. It is best served with sliced aniseed plait
bread, which is broken and dipped into the
Pepperpot stew.
Alima’s “Easy Eat” Pepperpot is generously portioned, appropriately spicy and quite
delicious. I could find no fault with either
its taste or appearance.
What was even more instructive was the
Resident Love Goddess’ finger licking approval of her Gilbaka Fish curry and paratha roti sampling. Gilbaka, also known as
Jan 13, 2016
“Gillbacker,” is a scaleless saltwater fish
that is part of the catfish family. It is found
in the coastal rivers of Guyana to northern
Brazil. It’s a deliciously meaty fish that is
heavily seasoned and typically cooked on
high temperatures and with heavy seasoning. In Guyana chunks of mangoes are often added to a Gilbaka Fish curry for extra
flavor.
As an excellent curry cook herself, the
praises the Love Goddess bestowed upon
the Alima’s offerings were equivalent to kudos of the highest order.
Asked if she would readily pay the
Gilbaka’s $12.95 price, she unhesitatingly responded with an absolute
yes.
From its very humble 1992 husband
and wife beginnings, Alima’s has grown
impressively in the last two decades. The
business now boasts a fantastic staff of 26
full-time employees; occupies four units
of its Kenview Blvd strip plaza and is now
open seven days a week to serve its ever
increasing clientele.
If you’d like to “Eat Easy” anytime soon,
check out Alima’s for taste that is guaranteed to please.
Alima’s “Eat Easy” line can be viewed at
www.Eateasy.TEL For the main website
visit www.Alimas.ca
Jan 13, 2016
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Page 3
Guyana Christian Charities
Valentine’s Dinner & Dance
The Guyana Christian Charities (Canada)
Inc. will be hosting its Annual Valentine
Dinner & Dance on Saturday, February
20, 2016 at the Sts Peter & Paul Ukranian
Catholic Church Hall (1490 Markham
Rd- North of Hwy 410; Entrance west off
Markham Rd on Milner Avenue).
Music for the evening will be provided
by Raymond Lee-Own’s Triple Play
Band accompanied by the deejay sounds
of Raymond “Bake: Pereira.
Tickets for the evening which gets under
way at with an Hors d’oeuvre reception at
7:00 pm followed promptly by a 7:30 pm
– 9:00 pm Buffet Supper are $55.00 per
person. All proceeds will be directed towards the Organizations’ ongoing charitable activities.
Harbourfront Centre’s
Kuumba Festival
Harbourfront Centre has announced
plans for the staging of the 2016 edition
of its annual Kuumba celebration, February 5–7, presented in partnership with TD
Bank Group. Under the theme of ‘Black
Like We’, the festival will investigate
race politics and the shared experience
of Blackness in today’s society through
spoken word, panel discussions, music,
comedy, film, and more. Kuumba offers
fun, free activities for everyone.
Kuumba 2016 will host panel discussions,
led by activist and journalist Desmond
Cole exploring the experience of being
Black, with a specific focus on youth,
and renowned DJ Mel Boogie will lead a
discussion around misogyny in hip-hop.
Jalal Nuriddin, founder of the Last Poets
and grandfather of rap, will be joined by
Malik Al Nasir, protégé of Gil Scott Heron, and other local poets and musicians
to explore the words and rhythms of the
streets. This group of artists will perform
a variety of spoken word that speaks to
both spirituality and modern day issues;
please note this is a ticketed event. This
program is hosted by Northern Griot Network and presented in partnership with
the Aga Khan Museum.
Sergio Elmir, Artistic Associate of
Kuumba, comments, “as one of the city’s
longest-running Black History Month
events we are thrilled to continue celebrating this vital month with all Torontonians. Our goal is to initiate dialogue,
create awareness, share a multitude of
voices and unite the community.”
Sizzling Sabine:
Trinidad born and gorgeous, Sabine is a recent addition to Twilight Restaurant’s always attractive bar crew.
As is obvious from her costume, Sabine is a real “Carnival Baby” who just loves to party and make mas.
As a hardworking, independent, self motivated, very classy lady, Sabine’s hospitality industry work allows
engagement in her favorite activities of meeting people and learning new things.
Call Now For 2016
Special Pricing
(PICK UP NOT INCLUDED)
SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY
Beat The Rush, Send Now
Page 4
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Jan 13, 2016
Weighing In On Chris Gayle’s “Don’t Blush Baby” Saga.
By now everyone with a beating pulse and
who is any manner tuned in to social media
would be aware of the maelstrom that was
created by the West Indian T20 superstar
cricketer, Jamaica’s Chris Gayle’s highly
controversial “ Don’t blush Baby” much publicized remarks to female Australian Sports
Reporter Mel McLaughlin during a recent
Big Bash Cricket League post innings interview. Before I provide my two cents on the
entire saga, let me first admit to being a super
and most loyal Chris Gaye fan. Of his cricketing exploits that is, but not necessarily of
his beyond the boundary antics.
Having said that, I would also admit to being
squarely in the camp of all those who have
condemned Gayle’s actions as being totally
inappropriate and highly disrespectful to Ms.
McLaughlin in her performances of her duties. As one Trinidadian columnist put it”
tactless, graceless and categorically unprofessional!”
In my view his comments have been rightfully construed as workplace harassment. Furthermore, his initial explanation/reaction that
it was “just a joke with no harm intended”
was sadly indicative of his non-appreciation
of the inappropriateness of his comments.
Hopefully the US $7,000 fine that was levied
and the suggestion from Australian cricket-
ing officials that he be banned from participating in future Big Bash tournaments have
since brought the message home.
It was interesting nevertheless to read some
of the plethora of responses to the saga which
ranged from outright condemnation, to fierce
defense of Gayle against what was seen as an
orchestrated attack on his dignity. Columnist
David Hinds, writing in the Guyana Chronicle, was among those who appreciated just
how inappropriate Gayle’s comments were:
“I add my voice to the condemnation of the
obvious sexism embedded in Gayle’s remarks. Whether he was joking or serious,
such remarks have no place in the public arena. Portraying the journalist as a sex symbol
while she is doing her job exposes a mindset that is steeped in the worst forms of male
chauvinism. That kind of behavior should
not be tolerated–period. Those who try pass
it off as light boy-girl banter are obviously
oblivious to the historic struggles for gender
equality and respect which have been waged
mostly by women in recent decades!”
His views were in stark contrast to Daniel
Thwaites’ shamefully moronic utterances in
the January 10 Issue of as esteemed a publication as the Jamaica Gleaner:
“At no point was Ms McLaughlin under any
threat, and if she felt a little uncomfortable,
that’s part of the price of living in a free society: We make each other feel uncomfortable
sometimes because, for the most part, we can
say and do what we want. Being impolite
isn’t against the law. Even being offensive
isn’t usually against the law.
Look here, I can’t swear for another man.
But to take that little talk from Gayle and
turn it into an international embarrassment is
ridiculous. As much as I’m the greatest fan
of social order and decorum, the propagation
of the species requires a little daring from the
male every now and again!”
As Hinds correctly noted “There is something
un-West Indian and sobering when our premier cricketer, after conquering the ball on
the field of play, can only confine himself to
hitting on a woman. I continue to believe that
any poor West Indian rising from the bottom
and scaling forbidden heights when given a
microphone must always have something
uplifting to tell the world and our people.
Chris Gayle comes from our Caribbean; he is
our product. Everybody talks out of turn and
Gayle must be granted that. But the ease with
which his insensitive remarks over a period
of time betrays a misplaced understanding of
his own importance. Gayle thinks he is representing himself; he made it on his own. He
has no clue of his responsibility to the rest of
us, the nation.”
I am not sure that I can agree with Hinds’
conclusions on Gayle’s perceived lack of
appreciation of his responsibilities as a superstar representative of the peoples of the
Caribbean. He has always struck me as being
fully cognizant of the significant role cricket
plays in unifying the Region. Still having
committed the offence, as distasteful as it
may have been, he’s has been sufficiently
punished and should be allowed to move on
with his cricketing career. Hopefully having
learnt the valuable lesson of the need to demonstrate far greater respect for female reporters in the performance of their duties.
And with regard to his responsibilities to us
as Caribbean peoples, I’d fully agree with
David Hinds suggestion that he would do
himself no harm by emulating the actions
of South Africa’s latest cricketing hero the
young black batsman, Temba Bavuma. Upon
recently becoming the first ever Black South
African batsman to hit a Test century, he was
given a microphone to speak to the world
and this is what he said: “When I walk on the
field, it’s not just me walking on the field. I
understand the significance. It’s about being
a role model and an inspiration to kids, especially black African kids.”
Enough said.
The Diaspora
Guest Editorial - Guyana Chronicle, January 9, 2016
Within recent days, letters have been appearing in the newspapers expressing concerns
about the treatment and facilities in place to
welcome ideas and contributions from the
diaspora and re-migrants.Make no mistake:
Guyana owes its development to the contributions and participation of every Guyanese,
at home and abroad.
The importance of the diaspora was reinforced in the 2015 elections. Political parties,
as they vied for votes at home, simultaneously vied for the attention, financial resources
and support/endorsement from overseasbased Guyanese.
Though this group was not afforded opportunity to cast a ballot, commitments were
given by political parties that their ideas and
contributions, valued as they were, would be
factored into the nation’s development.
Recognised among this pool are many who
are residing in countries where public opinions are valued and used as leverage by the
elected and the contesting, their perception/
reality being informed by said value. Additionally, promises cannot only be made; they
will have to be honoured and fulfilled, given
that the participatory culture of the diaspora
includes holding persons to account.
Over the years, much has been said about
remittances that continue to play an impor- COM country, and allows for individual and
tant role in our economy. In 2014, the Inter- agencies to do likewise.
American Development Bank reported that As the world advances in technology, opporGuyana pulled in $90B. While remittances tunities are created for the diaspora to transcannot be relied on to promote development, fer knowledge and skills, which could make
they serve to keep the economy afloat and aid it less expensive for us at home to acquire
in sustaining the
the training and dePolitical parties, as they vied for votes
wellbeing of resvelopment yearned
ident Guyanese. at home, simultaneously vied for the for. A nation and its
Also, through
people benefit when
attention,
financial
resources
and
purchase and
there is improveexhibits of loment, not only in
support endorsement from
cal art, craft,
the construction of
overseas-based Guyanese.
cuisine, enterroads and buildings,
tainment
and
but also in the manso forth, the
ner of response to
diaspora is not only generating economic op- the people’s input.
portunities and money flow, but is also pro- Guyana continues to benefit from visiting
moting our Guyanese-ness, serving as unof- programmes, such as education and health.
ficial ambassadors.
Overseas-based Guyanese initiate these proFurther, the premium placed on foreign ex- grammes with colleagues of different nationchange to development, sees countries em- alities who engage to do various outreach
bracing labour programmes for seasonal and here.
migrant workers. While Guyana may not Often, the motivation is consciousness of nahave a structured programme facilitated by tionality and a sense of nationalism to give
the government, in enhancing the facilitation back, invest in, and improve the lives of those
of such programme, government, through at home.
protocol, has contributed to the free move- It needs to be said that structures are necesment of certain skills to work in any CARI- sary to channel resources in all forms for the
country to benefit. For instance, when products to assist in health or education outreach
are being garnered and channelled to communities, it helps when there is less hassle at
the port of arrival and when red tape is removed. It is known that medical teams have
arrived here and products for supporting their
activities were left at the wharves because
of the red tape involved before release can
be done. Where those who are re-migrating
have concerns, there ought to be a system in
place to address those concerns and ensure
re-migrants’ reintegration is hassle-free. In
addition to other things, re-migrants bring
finances which contribute to our needed foreign exchange. It is held that a country can
be measured by the way it treats its citizens.
There is a uniting and symbiotic relationship
between the diaspora and the home-based,
which is love for country and a desire to see
country do better. Together, the responsibility is ours at home to work to make the remigrating and the diaspora feel appreciated
and welcome as they work with us to improve and acquire necessary knowledge and
skills to help achieve our mutual aspirations
and goals
Publisher/Editor:
Tony McWatt
Contributors:
Selwyn Banoolal, Chef Phillip Hendricks,
Dr. Richard Lai, Isa Rahamat,
The People’s Paper, daring to be different
Vegentia Ramkhelawan, Zorena Sawh,
Dr George Traitses
Website: www.caribbeangraphic.ca • Tel: 647.669.9320 • Fax: 905.813.9403
• Email: caribbeangraphic@rogers.com
Legal:
Oumarally and Baboolal
Graphic Design:
Faizul
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Jan 13, 2016
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Page 5
Barbados Reports
Illegal Dumpers Ordered To
Suspected Cases Of Zika And
Cease And Desist
H1N1 Viruses
BRIDGETOWN, The people behind the
recent illegal dumping of molasses and
other waste have been ordered to stop
immediately. And health officials have
warned that those who fail to comply will
face the courts for their transgressions. The
issue was brought to light after local media reported in July on an unsightly scene
of refuse including coconut shells, used
tyres, the skeletal remains of a butchered
cow, burnt plastic bottles, withered shrubs,
barrels bearing the names of persons who
did not reside in the parish and rubble from
construction sites in Bucks, St Thomas.
It exploded further last month with the
discovery of waste from the Elegant Hotel
Group, Lanterns Mall and Sunbury Plantation, again at Bucks. It included freshly
dumped chicken entrails and feathers, car
tyres, coconut shells and discarded televisions. Quality Business Services was identified as the main culprit on that occasion.
Several other districts have since reported
similar concerns, and Acting Chief Medi-
cal Officer (CMO) Dr Kenneth George
recently told reporters on the sidelines of
a January 9 press briefing called by Minister of Health John Boyce to update the
country on the Zika and H1N1 viruses, that
those who have already been identified
have been given ten days to stop the illegal
dumping.
The CMO described the indiscriminate
disposal of contaminated molasses at sites
in St Stephens, Black Rock, St Michael;
Harlington, St. Philip and Mount Wilton,
St Thomas as totally unacceptable and
warned that the Ministry would use the
full force of the Nuisance Act to prosecute
those who continue the illicit practice.
Dr George also promised that environmental health officers would be out in the field
to ensure there was compliance with the
orders, adding that the Town and Country Development Planning Office was also
working with the Ministry of Health to address the illegal dumping issue.
QEH Probe
BRIDGETOWN, With a possible lawsuit
pending for negligence against the island’s
main health care institution, a high-level
probe is underway into the deaths of two
mothers soon after giving birth at the
Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) about
four weeks ago. The mother of one of the
dead women is claiming that the hospital
was negligent and she has hired an attorney
to deal with the matter. That family member has declined to comment any further on
the case at this stage.
During a January 9 press briefing to discuss
the new Zika virus and the H1N1 (swine
flu) virus, Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr
Kenneth George confirmed the deaths.
“There’ve been maternal deaths in recent
times, within the last three to four weeks
. . . and these will be fully investigated.
Maternal deaths are something that the
Ministry of Health is very wary of. We feel
that maternal deaths should not occur. So
we are trying to get more information on
these incidences – these two incidences
that have been brought to [our] attention
and to see if we can put more systems in
place to learn from these incidences and
make sure that this doesn’t happen again,”
said Dr George.
The Acting Chief Medical Officer noted
that maternal deaths were among the indicators used to judge a country’s health care
system, adding that Barbados has done
well over the years “in respect of our neonatal mortality rate and perinatal mortality
rate and our maternal mortality rate.”
Minister of Health John Boyce
BRIDGETOWN, Health authorities in
The H1N1 virus, commonly referred to
Barbados have reported eight suspected
as the swine flu virus, is transmitted easi-
cases of the H1N1 and Zika viruses. Min-
ly from person to person via droplets and
ister of Health John Boyce said samples
small particles produced when infected
have been sent to the Caribbean Public
people cough or sneeze. Symptoms are
Health Agency for confirmatory testing.
similar to those of the seasonal flu and
And he has cautioned the population not
include: cough, fever, sore throat, stuffy
to panic.
or runny nose, body aches, headaches,
The minister said that although he is
chills and fatigue.
aware that members of the public would
be concerned whenever a new disease
Meantime, Boyce said that to combat
emerged, Barbadians should use simple
Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses,
measures to prevent mosquito breeding
the Environmental Health Department
around their homes, business places and
would continue to carry out prevention
communities.
and control activities, such as house to
house inspections, surveillance at ports
The Zika virus was reported in the Ca-
of entry and fogging in high risk areas.
ribbean region for the first time in June
2015. It is a mild febrile viral illness that
In addition, the ministry will continue its
is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes ae-
epidemiological surveillance to collect
gypti mosquito. Illness resulting from in-
and analyze data from various sources,
fection is usually mild, and it is not con-
including private and public sector facili-
sidered to be as severe as Dengue Fever
ties, on a weekly basis to gather informa-
or Chikungunya.
tion for planning a response.
Page 6
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Antoine Appointed
ECCB Governor
Jan 13, 2016
Mariah Carey’s
Antigua Visit
Timothy Antoine
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, The Monetary
Council -the highest decision-making body
of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
(ECCB), has appointed Timothy Antoine
as Governor of the institution. Antoine, a
Grenadian national, succeeds Sir K Dwight
Venner who retired in November.
His appointment follows a process that included identification of suitable candidates
by a Search Committee led by Sir Errol Allen, interviewing of these candidates and
the submission of recommendations of the
Search Committee to the Monetary Council which interviewed the two top ranked
candidates before making its decision.
In welcoming Antoine, Victor Banks,
Chief Minister of Anguilla and Chairman
of the Monetary Council, noted that “Mr.
Antoine is an outstanding Caribbean professional with a clear vision for the ECCB
and demonstrated commitment to the development of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.”
Antoine brings to his new position, senior
managerial experience, having served as
Grenada’s Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of Finance for 14 years.
He also has significant regulatory experience as a member of the ECCB Board for
12 years and as Chairman of the Grenada
Authority for the Regulation of Financial
Institutions for the past seven years.
Antoine is also the Chairman of the Technical Core Committee on Insurance for the
ECCU.
The new Governor has served as Director
on several regional boards including the
Caribbean Development Bank and the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility.
He also served as Advisor to the Executive Director for Canada, Ireland and the
Caribbean at the World Bank Group from
2005-2007.
He will officially assume office on February 1.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, The Caribbean’s celebrity index continues to rise.
After high-profile visits from Christie Brinkley, Justin Bieber and the Hiltons, among
others.
Another superstar visited the region recently, with music superstar Mariah Carey
coming to Antigua and Barbuda this week.
Carey posted photos to her Instagram account of her trip, with a slate of photos
on the beach and snapping one with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston
Browne.
She also reportedly dined at the island’s
best restaurant, Sheer Rocks, located on
the grounds of the CocoBay resort. Carey’s
boyfriend, Australian native James Packer, is working with Hollywood legend and
hotelier Robert De Niro on a $250 million
project in Barbuda.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua The Prime Minister
does not have that power. He is acting unlawfully,” is how Political Leader of United Progressive Party, Harold Lovell has
described Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s
announcement that government’s debt to
Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) will be
written off.
On January 7, Browne announced that
the money government owes the statutory
corporation for unpaid salary deductions
would not be honoured. Sources said government owes MBS in excess of $125 million.
“The debt should just be written off because the truth is MBS was created to fund
health care and not to incur debt or receivables from the government of Antigua &
Barbuda.
“All I know it will be written off and we
don’t see the need to transfer any asset
there,” Browne declared.
However, Lovell said Browne cannot legally write off the debt.
“The Act is very clear. It says the Board is
to collect the revenues that are paid and the
primary use is for the payment of benefits.
The beneficiaries are the ones who are intended to benefit from any funds that are
paid in.
“It is not open for the prime minister to say
he will put himself above the Act of Parliament and the Constitution. These funds are
trust funds and can’t be written off by the
desire of the prime minister,” Lovell said.
That project is located at the onetime KClub property, and is planned to debut under the “Paradise Found” brand name. De
Niro was named a Special Economic Envoy by Browne last year. The project part
of what has been a wave of new hotel developments in Antigua.
Antigua’s $125 Million
MBS Debt Write Off
Jan 13, 2016
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Four Arrested For
Berbice Murder
Robbery
Page 7
Greenheart Tree
Energy Answering the
Diaspora Call
Greenheart Tree Energy, a company
The company is looking to secure the
born out of a desire to serve Guyana, is
construction of a number of energy fa-
looking to provide energy at a cheaper
cilities and maintain and operate them
rate. Currently, the company is working
under the BOOT (Buy Own Operate
with the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) to un-
Transfer) system. The company said that
derstand the issues with the water supply
this model was proposed by the govern-
and how it can lend assistance with prob-
ment.
lem on the electrical grid.
“What we will like to do is bring compo-
Representatives of the company said re-
nents to Guyana and build an assembling
cently that it is looking to provide solu-
facility so we can produce panels in Guy-
tions that can help to benefit Guyanese
ana for Guyana and export them to the
through the adequate supply of water.
rest of the Caribbean.”
This will be done through the use of so-
Company representatives said that Presi-
lar energy.
dent David Granger had appealed to the
GEORGETOWN, Police have arrested
bottles scattered nearby, and empty sar-
Solar energy is, simply, energy provided
Guyanese Diaspora in Canada for them
four men as they began investigating the
dine tins suggested that the perpetrators
by the sun. This energy is in the form of
to return and invest in their country. It
deaths of 81-year-old Arthur Rajkumar,
had splurged on the goods in the home
solar radiation, which makes the produc-
was pointed out that the President also
a Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice busi-
before bludgeoning the couple to death.
tion of solar electricity possible.
spoke about the vision for green energy
nessman; and his reputed wife, Dianne
Chilling, too, were two spots where def-
Energy produced from that source is gen-
and a green economy.
Chamanlall, 44, whose mutilated bod-
ecation was on the floor, leading inves-
erally cheaper. Greenheart Tree Energy
“As a result this company was formed.
ies were found lying in pools of blood
tigators to surmise that the perpetrators
officials have said that the plan is not to
Its Chief Executive Officer is Edmund
in their home at Lot 93A Middle Dam
may have been in the home long before
replace the entire existing generation fa-
Klass, a former Queen’s College stu-
Bush Lot, in what is believed to be a rob-
the screams were heard.
cility as that will still be needed.
dent and now a successful entrepreneur
bery/murder committed by men from the
Bags of items were found in the home,
It was said that the solar panels will just
in Canada. This is a response to that call
village.
suggesting to Police that the motive was
be a supplement, a back up for genera-
and we think that we represent two as-
One of the men who was arrested con-
indeed robbery.
tors already in place.
pects of his vision for Guyana, which is
fessed to the crimes and implicated two
Rajkumar, also known as Uncle Arthur,
Officials explained that in this way if a
having Diaspora Guyanese return and
of the other three men who were arrest-
was the owner of the School View Ice
generator goes down or is problematic,
helping to achieve a green economy, this
ed.
Cream Parlour located at the bottom
there would not be need for the shutting
(company) was put together to specifi-
The bodies were found at approximately
flat of the two-storey building. He had
down of the entire grid down “because
cally do that,” said Lindsay Davidson, a
03:00 hrs when police responded to tele-
returned from the US, where his four
we will be supporting from the other end.
former reporter with the Guyana Chroni-
phone calls about loud screaming ema-
children live, just about two weeks ago.
So we are not trying to take anyone’s
cle and now a public relations consultant
nating from the house. The first screams
He had established a relationship with
business away. It’s a benefit for the en-
in Canada
were heard at about 02: 45 hrs.
the younger Chamanlall for quite some
tire population.”
Officials said that if they are given the
The quick police response resulted in the
time, and the two had lived alone at the
The team said that the long term vision
go ahead, systems can be up and ready
perpetrators being interrupted, and they
property. The shop contained a pool ta-
of the company will be of great benefit
within six months.
jumped a fence at the back of the prem-
ble which was frequently used by youths
to Guyana.
ises and fled the scene. Ranks discharged
from the area.
rounds in the air as they pursued them,
There were no obvious signs of forced
but the perpetrators managed to escape.
entry into the building.
They had apparently come to the house
People who knew the couple suggested
on foot, since there was no getaway ve-
that the perpetrators may have posed as
hicle in the vicinity.
customers and may have either secreted
The victims had lived in the upper flat of
themselves in the business place until it
the two-storey building. They died from
had closed, or had forced the couple to
multiple chop wounds about their bod-
close and then committed the dastardly
ies. Blood-spattered hall and bedroom
act.
walls, blood-soaked pillows, blood spat-
A reliable source has said that consump-
tered furniture, and a blood-spattered
tion of food in victims’ homes by the
telephone left off the hook served as
perpetrators is similar to the pattern of
grim reminders of the heinous ordeal the
home invasions reported by victims of
couple had endured.
burglaries in West Coast Berbice in re-
A half-eaten bar of chocolate, empty beer
cent weeks
Page 8
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Jan 13, 2016
GRA Must Tighten Up High Speed Internet For
Concessions MonitorEssequibo, Mining
ing –Finance Minister
Areas This Year!
GEORGETOWN, Given the millions
of dollars lost through tax evasion, Finance Minster, Winston Jordan, says
that the Guyana Revenue Authority
(GRA) will have to tighten up on that
front as well as the monitoring of concessions.
Jordan said that according to established protocols, GRA would make
the recommendation to the Ministry of
Finance for companies and investors
to be granted certain concessions for
their respective sectors, provided they
qualify for it.
He noted that the onus would then rest
on GRA to ensure that it monitors how
these concessions are used and that the
companies or investors comply with
the reporting requirements attached to
the granting of these tax breaks.
He noted, however, that there have been
complaints over the years that many do
not adhere to the terms and conditions
for which concessions are granted.
The Finance Minister said that concessions are granted with certain conditions such as the creation of a number
of jobs within a particular timeframe,
for example. He added that tax breaks
for vehicles and equipment for example would be granted for them to be
used for a particular project.
Jordan said, “If there is a breach of the
agreement upon which the concessions
are granted then they are supposed to
be revoked. Investors, both foreign and
local, need to ensure that when they are
granted concessions for vehicles for example, that they stick to the agreement
and not misuse their concessions. Admittedly, we have heard of a number of
instances where this takes place and it
means that GRA would have to tighten
up on the monitoring of concessions
and take the necessary action when it
finds defaulters.”
GEORGETOWN, Provision of high-
Internet in rural communities is seen as
speed Internet for the Essequibo Coast
very important in many countries, and
and some interior locations are among
governments recognise the significance
the Guyana Telephone Telegraph
of such deployment to the growth of
(GTT) company’s plans for this year,
rural areas. In some countries, he said,
Chief Executive Officer Justin Nedd
the government provides support to In-
has revealed.“So, 2016 is…pushing
ternet service providers (ISP) either in
more Internet (in) far-reaching areas
the form of tax rebates, tax credits, or
and at greater speeds,” Nedd said in an
concessions.
interview. He added that GTT will be
Nedd stressed that GTT wants to be
engaged in a “significant deployment
known as “the company that fulfills
of Internet in the hinterland areas for
its commitments to the people of Guy-
Troy Resources.”
ana”.
The provision of Internet for Troy Re-
But while the company intends to meet
sources, a mining company, follows an
the needs of its customer base, it faces
agreement inked last year between the
the challenge of “an exclusivity ar-
two companies that will see miners in
rangement”.
surrounding areas benefitting from mo-
Nedd hopes that, despite the limita-
bile services and high-speed Internet.
tions, which also includes rates at-
Asked to speak on the cost attached to
tached to landline services that have
such a venture, Nedd said, “Deploying
been unchanged for a decade, govern-
Internet in rural areas is always quite
ment will this year grant spectrum so
expensive.” He disclosed that the com-
that customers could be freed from
pany would have to pay more to the
“the bondage of 2G network.”
National Frequency Management Unit
Improving customer service, extending
(NFMU) for spectrum.
reach, and ensuring customer satisfac-
He also disclosed that the telecommu-
tion are critical to the success of GTT,
nications company intends to provide
Nedd said.
high-speed Internet to the people of
He believes that, notwithstanding the
Essequibo. “That is our commitment
challenges facing the GTT and the
to the people of Essequibo. We will be
telecommunications sector as a whole,
providing them with high-speed Inter-
GTT customers must have optimum
net this year,” he declared.
satisfaction with the service provided
Nedd explained that the deployment of
by the company he runs.
Jan 13, 2016
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Ministry Of Natural
Resources Undergoes
Strategic Review
Minister Raphael Trotman and Minister Simona Broomes interfacing with the media
GEORGETOWN, The Ministry of Natural Resources has held a Strategic Sector
Review aimed at identifying problems
facing the various sectors and challenging
managers to improve their performance
to achieve maximum outputs.The review,
which saw the active participation of Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman and Minister within the Ministry of
Natural Resources Simona Broomes, had
received presentations from the various
agencies which fall under the ministry.
The forum was also aimed at streamlining
ways to effectively deliver services and
enforce relevant regulations which guide
operations of the various sectors.
At the end of the forum, the ministry’s
management team compiled the final documents from which excerpts were presented
by Minister Trotman during a special Cabinet meeting held on January 9.
At the forum, the heads of the Guyana
Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC),
Guyana Gold Board and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), which fall under Natural Resources management made
presentations on their respective agencies. Similarly, under the environmental
management division, the Environmental
Protection Agency, Protected Areas Commission and the Guyana Wildlife Division
delivered presentations.
Minister Trotman, during his presentation,
encouraged the sharing of resources, facilities and workload among the various agencies to maximise output.
He stressed that there is need to “move
beyond talking,” while adding that the
time has come for more young people to
be trained in the sectors so as to get the
“young generation involved.”
Both Ministers Trotman and Broomes were
particularly interested in the public perception of the gold and forestry sectors, which
for some time now have been dogged by
allegations of corruption.
Minister Trotman pointed out that the government is very keen on improving the
gold-mining sector and he said the notion
of “managing as best as we can” needs to
be removed and better needs to be done.
There is a perception, the minister added,
that there is some degree of corruption
within the industry “and these are some of
the things that concern the government.”
“It is not good enough,” the minister commented, adding that changes have to take
place, but admitted that “it will take time.”
Speaking on the issue of occupational, health and safety hazards, Minister
Broomes emphasised the major concern
in the extractive industry, and urged that
mechanisms be put in place to deal with
these issues.
The minister was also concerned about the
manner in which workers are treated in
the mining sector and she stated that this
is an issue that must be addressed by the
GGMC.
Another area of concern to Minister
Broomes was the manner in which some
small miners are treated and the manner in
which claims are verified by the commission, which at times is disadvantageous to
the small miner.
The ministers pledged their commitment
in ensuring that all of the agencies falling
under their purview are improved, since it
is the mandate of the administration that all
sectors move forward in creating a good
life for all Guyanese.
Page 9
Two Charged With
Death Of British
Teenager
Police in Guyana have charged two people
in connection with the murder of a British
teenager who went missing after arriving
in the country three months ago.
The two prime suspects in the disappearance and death of Dominic Bernard, 18 –
his god-brother, 22-year-old Aaron Hing
and Staymon George, 23, – were arrested
after a badly decomposed body was discovered by investigators in a shallow grave
in Berbice on January 8.
Bernard had not been seen since flying to
Georgetown on October 14 last year, and
a manhunt was launched after he failed to
board his return flight to Britain on November 5.
Police apprehended Hing late last January
8 evening as he tried to check into a hotel.
Hing has since admitted involvement in
Bernard’s disappearance, according to officials. George was arrested at a house in
Georgetown.
Bernard had never visited Guyana before
and was expected to stay with Hing for the
duration of his trip.
When an investigation was launched, Bernard’s father, Jamaican-born Andrew Bernard, travelled from London to assist police
and make an impassioned plea for help.
He said when he spoke to Hing, he said he
had not seen his god-brother and did not
even know he was visiting the country.
But local media reports quoted police
sources as saying that the killers admitted
that they plotted Bernard’s murder and dug
his grave two days before he landed in the
country. A postmortem conducted on the
body found last Friday revealed that the
deceased was struck at the back of the head
and sustained a fractured skull, as well as
a broken neck. Police are to conduct DNA
tests on the remains.
Canada Donates Over G$3M In
Equipment To Strengthen
Police Investigations
Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana,
Mr. Pierre Giroux, recently handed over
several pieces of equipment to Minister of
Public Security Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan for
use by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The equipment, which includes crime scene
kits, six Canon cameras and an Ocean System hardware and software system, valued
at C$22,000 (GYD $3,043,280) was handed over on January 11 at the Police Officers Training Centre, Eve Leary.
This donation is part of Canada’s two year
“Strengthening the Guyanese Criminal
Justice System” project being implemented by Canadian NGO, the Justice Educa-
tion Society (JES). The JES project aims to
increase evidence-led investigations.
The JES is currently conducting its second
set of training activities with the Guyana
Police Force on Major Case Management,
Forensic Video Analysis and Crime Scene
Management. High Commissioner Giroux emphasized the importance of having the necessary tools to implement the
knowledge gained through training and
highlighted the particular usefulness of the
forensic video analysis equipment, which
will capitalize on the numerous ClosedCircuit Television (CCTV) cameras around
Georgetown.
Page 10
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Government Sets
Ambitious 2016
Gold Target
As the price of gold continues its slow
climb in the New Year, Government is
ambitiously looking to break a number of
records this year when it comes to declarations.
According to early estimates provided, the
country may be looking at 600,000 ounces
– by far the highest. The big numbers will,
of course, be boosted by the declarations
of the big players like Guyana Goldfields
Inc. and Troy Resources, two large-scale
operations which expected to push production up by up to 200,000 ounces.
The figures would spell more earnings
from the seven percent in royalties and
taxes that the country receives from each
ounce declared.
In 2013, as gold prices peaked at almost
US$1,900, gold exports raked in US$737M
from the 481,000 ounces declared.
As prices fell in 2014, declarations slumped
to 387,000 ounces, with exports valued that
year at US$469M.
Last year was a remarkable one, by any
counts. Gold declaration in the first half
of the year fell almost 20 percent, before
small miners rallied and the Guyana Goldfields Inc. chipped in with 35,000 ounces.
It was remarkable from the standpoint that
gold prices on the world market continued
its slide, closing off the year at a low of
US$1,060. Prices have recovered somewhat, rising more than US$30 to finish
yesterday at US$1,094 per ounce.
Small miners contributed over 400,000
ounces, and this year it is projected that
they will reach as much as 430,000 ounces.
Canadian-owned Guyana Goldfields Inc.
said recently that its flagship Aurora mines
in Region Seven, is targeting between
130,000 and 150,000 ounces this year.
Troy Resources, an Australian company,
may bring in at least 50,000 ounces, although no official announcement has been
made.
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael
Trotman, has confirmed that the seemingly 600,000 ounces declaration appears
to be on the horizon with both of the two
big companies likely to contribute about
200,000 ounces alone.
Australian High Commissioner to Guyana
and Caricom, Ross Tysoe, has said that Guyana is a good place for investment. He made
this observation as he paid a January 11 courtesy call on President David Granger at the
Ministry of the Presidency. During that visit,
the diplomat held discussions with the President on potential areas of investment and on
both countries’ consensus on the need to lessen the adverse effects of climate change.
In an invited comment, the diplomat said it
was his first meeting with President Granger,
and that Australia believes Guyana has great
investment potential and a shared interest in
minimising the effects of climate change.
“Australia has been experiencing very devastating bush fires in levels that have never
been experienced before, and
so we discussed areas of collaboration and the building of
institution-to-institution links
on climate change, among other issues,” High Commissioner
Tysoe said.
He also noted that, with the
election of Baroness Patricia
Scotland, who has Caribbean
roots, as the new SecretaryGeneral of the Commonwealth
of Nations, it is expected that
the bilateral relations between
Guyana and his country will be improved in
the coming days.
“In terms of investment, we believe that
there are good opportunities in Guyana for
Australian investors, particularly in minerals and [possibly] in agriculture, in years to
come. So we will keep the relationship bubbling along,” he said. Last September, the
High Commissioner paid courtesy calls on
then Minister of Governance, now Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman;
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; and also
participated in discussions on a number of
issues, including border security, territorial
sovereignty, and gun amnesty with Minister
of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan.
Guyana Good For
Investment Says Aussie
High Commissioner
Jan 13, 2016
Jagdeo Rubbishes
Viera’s Broadcasting
Licences Claims
GEORGETOWN, Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has described as “nonsense”, the
claims by Chairman of the Sub-committee
of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Anthony Vieira that the
11 broadcasting licences issued to radio
and television owners back in 2011 were
through illegal means.
Vieira had earlier told local media that the
GNBA found the licence issued by the former Head of State were flawed and that
the Authority would soon be moving, after
consultation with the licence holders, to
make a revocation.
Vieira maintained this stance in the face
of word from GNBA Chairman Leonard
Craig, who indicated that the body had
made no such decision.
Speaking on January 8 Jagdeo said, “What
he is saying is nonsense. The radio licences
are part of people’s property rights”. He
said it would be illegal for any attempt
to revoke the licence, calling on Vieira to
come out of his “bubble”.
Craig reportedly indicated that no official
decision has been taken to revoke the licences and that the matter was under discussion.
In October last year, Craig had said the reviewing of radio licences issued by the former government did not mean they would
be revoked. He said he thought the move
by the previous government to issue the
licences in that manner was wrong; however, there was no confirmation that those
who benefited would lose their licences.
Among the persons issued licences by the
previous government were Robert Persaud,
the Little Rock Television Station (Berbice), Hits and Jams, Maxwell Thom, Dr
Bobby Ramroop, Alfro Alphonso, Haslyn
Graham and Anand Persaud.
Woolford In Commonwealth
Vanuatu Elections Observer Group
Guyana’s Enrico Woolford, Editor-inChief of Capitol News, has been named
as part of lead a Commonwealth Observer
Group to Vanuatu for its January 22 General Election.
Hubert Ingraham, The Bahamas’ former
Prime Minister will head the Group.
The snap election is being held nine months
ahead of schedule, following a period of
political instability in which 14 Members
of Parliament were convicted of bribery.
The convictions led to a political deadlock
between the Government and the Opposition which prompted President Baldwin
Lonsdale to dissolve Parliament.
The Commonwealth’s Secretary-General,
Kamalesh Sharma, mobilised the Observer Group at the invitation of the Vanuatu
Government. He said its work would complement the Commonwealth’s ongoing effort to support democracy in the country.
Last year the Commonwealth facilitated a
dialogue among political leaders that could
lead to a road map for reform.
The Observer Group will contribute to this
process by offering practical recommendations to strengthen Vanuatu’s electoral
process based on their observations. The
five-member team will examine pre-election preparations, voting and counting procedures and the announcement of results.
They will assess any factor affecting the
credibility of the elections and determine
whether they were conducted according
to international standards and the laws of
Vanuatu.
The Observer Group will submit its report
to the Commonwealth Secretary-General,
who will in turn send it to the Government
of Vanuatu, the Electoral Commission and
the principal political parties. It will subsequently be released online.
Jan 13, 2016
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Tourism Growth
Expected
KINGSTON, The tourism industry is expected to grow this year, even more than
it did in 2015.
According to Director of Tourism Paul
Pennicook, the number of stopover visitors to Jamaica last year grew by two per
cent (roughly 50, 000 more visitors than in
2014) and is projected to continue to increase. “We have put out some very ambitious targets; we are projecting to grow
some four per cent in stopovers in 2016.
That’s going to take a lot of work, but
that’s what we are projecting,” Pennicook
told local media The director attributed this
expectation to the expansion within the
industry as more rooms are to be opened
throughout the year. He added that approximately 1,200 additional rooms (new and
refurbished) have been opened this winter
to accommodate more visitors.
Last week the Caribbean Tourism Organi-
sation (CTO) declared 2016 as the “Year
of Romance in the Caribbean” with over
30 participating countries on board to promote the newly declared theme.
But Pennicook, who is not worried by the
anticipated ‘competition’, lamented that
romance is nothing new to the island as
Jamaica has always been known as the romantic isle. Ranking in what he described
as the big five – that is Mexi-Caribbean,
Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cuba and
Puerto Rico – the JTB head said Jamaica
has always done well in tourism in comparison to other islands.
The CTO said that with the launch of this
new initiative, the focus will include first
or second marriages and the renewal of
vows, the most romantic locations to “pop
the question” or say “I do”, and inviting
celebrity couples to get married in the Caribbean.
Sandals, Marley Family
Collaborate On ‘No Worry’
Ad Campaign
MONTEGO BAY, St James, Sandals
Resorts International has partnered with
the family of reggae icon Bob Marley to
embark on a colossal Sandals marketing
campaign, dubbed ‘No Worry’, launched
at a pulsating beach party at Sandals
Montego Bay on January 8.
The ‘No Worry’ advertising movement,
featuring, Skip Marley’s rendition of his
late grandfather’s
Three Little Birds, forms part of an intensified Sandals advertising campaign
which sees one of the hotel chain’s ads
aired at a location on Earth once every
five seconds.
Skip Marley is the son of Bob and Rita
Marley’s first child, Cedella.
Meanwhile, Executive label manager of
Tuff Gong International Myshjua Archibald explained that the Marley group is
also thrilled by the union. Meanwhile, the
younger Stewart disclosed that reaction
to the ‘No Worry’ ads, which started airing January 4, has been overwhelming.
Page 11
PM Lauds NIF Growth
BRACO, Trelawny - Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has announced that the
National Insurance Fund (NIF) has shown
growth, amounting to over 5000 per cent,
since the inception of the National Insurance Board in 1989 when she was at the
helm of the Ministry of Labour and Social
Security.
At the time, the Fund stood at a “measly”
$1.5 billion, she said. “The National Insurance Fund presently stands at $77 billion,”
the prime minister revealed.
She recounted that 27 years ago while she
was minister of labour and social security,
the poor state of the NIF inspired her to
establish the Investment Secretariat and
appoint a National Insurance Board as an
advisory body to the NIF.
Simpson Miller added that the Fund thereafter ventured on a robust investment programme which has resulted in investments
in several productive sectors of the economy, including tourism.
The prime minister was speaking at the
rcent official opening of the Melia Braco
Resort in Trelawny which underwent a major renovation, costing some US$23 million. The scope of the work involved the
renovation of the 226 guest rooms, public
amenities as well as the physical structure.
The Braco property is owned by the NIF
which entered into an agreement with Melia Hotels International to manage it for the
next 15 years.
Simpson Miller also argued that the growth
of the NIF has allowed Government to increase benefits to its over 111,000 pensioners.
Page 12
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Recession Impacting
Carnival Fetes
PORT-OF-SPAIN, The downturn in the
economy seems already to have had a negative impact on Carnival 2016 fetes and
events as two promoters say sponsorship
has been either hard to come by or unavailable since some sponsors have pulled out.
Chief executive officer of SouthEx, George
Singh, who promotes the Chutney Soca
Monarch (CSM) competition, said the cuts
have been deep.
It costs close to $10 million to host the
CSM, inclusive of prize money. Singh said
it was understandable that the sponsorship
pie was smaller for 2016 since almost all
promoters send requests to the same companies.
Telecommincations giant TSTT said it
would be cutting back on sponsorship of
events as Carnival was coming right on the
heels of the public celebrating Christmas,
amidst a slowing economy and low energy
prices. Digicel and Carib Brewery said
they were ensuring they received value for
what they put out.
This year there are over 150 all-inclusives,
cooler fetes and breakfast parties spread
over January 1 to Ash Wednesday—a total
of 41 days, with as many as 60 in the five
weekends of January and 90 in the first ten
days of February.
On Carnival Saturday, there are expected
to be 19 events, while 18 are carded for
Carnival Sunday.
Already ten days into the 2016 Carnival
season, one highly anticipated fete—Soka in Moka—which was held last weekend, saw a lower turnout than in previous
years.
The December announcement that T&T
was in a recession seems to have resonated with several partygoers who have expressed mixed views about the fetes they
intend to patronise.
Some have said they will be cautiously
watching their spending habits while looking for value for their money in a wave
of fetes ranging from $250 to as high as
$3,200.
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Soca star Machel
Montano is now an ambassador for the
Digicel family with the likes of other top
local artistes like Destra Garcia, Kees Dieffenthaller and Ravi B.
Montano, 41, took to his Instagram account on January 9 and posted: “This
morning I am proud to announce that I
have joined the awesome Digicel family...
the Bigger and Better network...Machel
Montano and Digicel form unique partnership!”
The announcement was made on January
8 during the media launch of Digicel’s
Play at its Maraval head office in Port-ofSpain.
Leisel Douglas, Digicel’s communications executive said the network provider
was expected to host an official signing
on January 11.
Up to 2012 Montano had endorsed TSTT’s
bmobile brand but in early 2013, the telecommunications company dropped him
after he was convicted of criminal charges.
On December 10, 2012, magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor found the entertainer guilty of five criminal charges of
assault and using obscene language during a fracas five years ago outside of the
popular Zen nightclub on Keate Street in
Port-of-Spain.
Machel Now A Digicel Dude!
Jan 13, 2016
US$467 Million
Laundered In T&T
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- More
than three billion dollars (US$467
million) were laundered in Trinidad
and Tobago over the last four years,
according to information reported to
the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),
Susan Francois, director of the unit,
has disclosed. She said the sum was
reported by financial institutions and
businesses as the suspected receipts of
criminal activity.
She noted that the huge amount, which
only represented the sums reported,
showed the attraction of crime “and that
is why people take the risk, that is why
they conduct criminal activity, that is
why they commit crime, because of the
huge profits which are generated.”
Francois was speaking at the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC)
in Maracas at the launch of the Money
Laundering and Financial Crimes Institute in Trinidad and Tobago, a joint
effort by the University of the Southern Caribbean and the Arthur Lok Jack
Graduate School of Business.
Francois added that, while people
consider money laundering as white
collar crime, the three billion dollars
that were reported came from violent
crime, while white collar crime does
not usually involve violence, or injury
to the person.
She pointed out that tracing the money
back to the criminal was necessary in
order to detect the crime, to prosecute
it, and to dismantle the criminal networks and seize and confiscate their
criminal wealth.
She said measures to deter and detect
the crime were crucial strategies in
combating the crime of money-laundering.
According to Francois, just as drug
traffickers find inventive ways to hide
and smuggle their drugs, so the money
launderer will find new ways to disguise and move the money earned from
his illegal activity.
Francois said that under the existing
legislation there are about 2,000 institutions registered with the FIU as being responsible for implementing antimoney laundering laws and regulations
combating the financing of terrorism
(AML/CFT) and each of these institutions must have a compliance officer,
and an alternate compliance officer, a
total of 4,000 persons.
She said these officers need to be
trained.
Jan 13, 2016
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Legal Estate Planning
Proper Estate Planning is important.
Most people believe that proper estate
planning is all about your Last Will and
Testament. The fact is this document is
part of your estate plan.
What happens if you have lived all your
life in Canada and now that you are retired
you leave Canada in the wintery months to
bask under the Jamaican sun and while in
Jamaica you get very ill. How do you get
your money from your accounts, investments to facilitate continuing in the standard that you have become accustomed?
You need to make a continuing Power of
Attorney. A continuing Power of Attorney allows your attorney the power to do
all the things you can with your property.
Consider if you were in an accident but
needed money. It would be nice if we all
had someone with lots of money to assist
us, but if we don’t we need to draw upon
what we have and if we do not have the
mental capacity to do this and we have left
no Power of Attorney either, the only person who suffers is you and your family.
Again, think about if you are mentally incapable and needed treatment. Who would
the law look to with respect to decision
making on your behalf.
A long time ago it was easy; doctors would
look to spouses and/or relatives. Today the
world has changed. For one thing sometimes we cannot ascertain who someone’s
spouse is; there is much more privacy issues and compliance within hospitals and
other treatment facilities would not provide information without express consent.
And of course with the rise of lawsuits and
everyone today including our doctors who
weigh their Hippocratic Oath with liability, we find that as part of any good estate
plan, you should plan for the eventuality of
who will make decisions on your behalf if
you are not able.
What happens if you pass away without a
will? For one thing, the initial retainer to
probate an estate can be between $3500$5000. Consider this on the fact that a will
is much cheaper. Secondly, the rules of
intestacy govern the distribution of your
estate. In other words, your new wife will
take more than your children from your
first marriage. It has been our experience
where a husband #2 died intestate.
The majority of his assets went to his new
wife. The wife remarried. The wife subsequently died. The new husband #3 received the majority of the husband #2 and
wife’s assets. Husband #3 passed away and
all of his assets were left to his children. I
wonder how things would have been different if Husband # 2 knew the fruits of his
labour would not be enjoyed by his children, but would eventually be enjoyed by
strangers.
As the world changes we see these stories
more and more. Today at death spouses are
allowed to elect to take a 50% share of the
value of the deceased’s spouse’s estate.
This is something to be considered when
there is a second marriage.
Another issue we see today is when you remain married to one spouse but live common law with another. There is precedent
where the law has recognized the right of
the spouse.
Most people spend a lifetime building;
Page 13
when you ask people they often say they
are doing it for their children; to ensure
a good lifestyle when they are older. But
without putting the right plans in place…
It brings me to a quote my grandfather use
to say…“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail”.
Without a proper plans you can fail yourself when you most need it or you can fail
your children.
If I have convinced you of the importance
of estate planning then please note the following:
Best Wishes to all our valued customers for a most blessed and prosperous 2016.
Thanks for your loyal and much appreciated continuing support.
Page 14
Tips for parents on the top causes of tooth
decay in children – and how to avoid
them.
Establishing good habits can help your
child avoid oral health problems, such as
tooth decay and gum disease.
Can I let my child have sweets?
Most children want sweets, but you can
help to prevent problems by making sure
they don’t have a large amount or very often, and particularly not before bed, when
saliva flow lessens.
Try not to give sweets or sweet drinks as
rewards.
What are the best snacks to give my child?
The best snacks are fruit and raw vegetables. Try tangerines, bananas, pieces
of cucumber or carrot sticks. Other good
snacks include toast, rice cakes and plain
popcorn.
Dried fruit is high in sugar and can be bad
for teeth, so only ever give it to children
with meals – for instance, as a dessert –
and never as a snack between meals.
Should I let my child have fizzy drinks?
No. Fizzy drinks can contain large amounts
of sugar, which will increase the risk of
tooth decay. Fizzy drinks (both those containing sugar and sugar-free or “diet” versions) also contain acids that can erode the
outer surface of the tooth.
What are the best drinks for my child’s
teeth?
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Jan 13, 2016
Kiddy Care Dental Tips On Sweets,
Fizzy Drinks And Bottles
The best drinks for children over one year
old are plain still water or plain milk.
Your child should have full-fat milk
(whole milk) from the age of 12 months
to two years. Semi-skimmed milk can be
them water than to encourage a taste for
sweet drinks.
Try to avoid giving babies fruit-flavoured
“baby juices”, and never give them in feeding bottles. Fruit juice should not be given
introduced from the age of two, as long as
your child is a good eater and growing well
for their age. Skimmed milk can be given
to children aged five and over. Cow’s milk
is not suitable as a drink for babies under
12 months of age.
Is it OK to drink fruit juice?
Even unsweetened juices contain sugars
and acids, so although it can contribute towards your 5 A DAY, try to restrict your
child to no more than one glass (about
150ml) of fruit juice each day and only at
mealtimes.
If your child is thirsty, it’s better to give
to babies under six months.
Will milk at bedtime damage my child’s
teeth?
Teeth are at most risk at night because there
is less saliva in the mouth to protect them.
Water is the best drink to give at bedtime,
but if you do give milk, don’t add anything to it. Chocolate-flavoured drinks and
milkshake powder usually contain sugars,
which will increase the risk of decay.
Are sugar-free medicines better for my
child’s teeth?
Yes. Always ask if a sugar-free medicine
is available and remind your doctor about
this if you’re being given a prescription for
your child. This is especially important if
your child is taking long-term medication.
When should my child give up bottles?
Your child should begin moving off the
bottle and on to a free-flow feeder cup at
six months. Try to get them off bottles completely by the age of one, because the teats
and spouts encourage children to suck for
long periods of time, meaning the drinks
that cause tooth decay stay in contact with
your child’s teeth for a long time.
Are sippy cups good for teeth?
There’s no need for a child to use a sippy
cup. They’re similar to a bottle in that they
require the child to suck to make them
work. A free-flow feeder cup is better, as it
doesn’t have valves and the flow of liquid is
unrestricted. This means that children learn
to drink normally rather than by sucking.
Will a dummy or thumb sucking harm my
child’s teeth?
No, but they will encourage an open bite,
which is when teeth move to make space
for the dummy or thumb. They may also
affect speech development. That’s why
you should avoid using dummies after 12
months of age.
Thumb sucking and dummies won’t cause
permanent problems, as long as the habit
stops by the time your child gets their
second teeth, but it can be a hard habit to
break.
Lower Sugar = Lower
Blood Pressure
Sounds pretty simple, right? Except in a
society overwhelmed by processed foods
loaded with added sugar, keeping your
sugar (or blood pressure) in check can be a
major challenge.
But let’s leave the topic of limiting sugar
consumption from all sources for another
day, and instead focus on sugar from a
single source: sugar-sweetened beverages.
According to a study published in the June
2010 issue of Circulation (a journal of the
American Heart Association), a reduction
in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption
of one serving per day reduced systolic
blood pressure in adults by 1.8 mg Hg and
diastolic blood pressure by 1.1 mg Hg over
18 months. (If your blood presure is 12075, for example, your systolic blood pressure is 120 and your diastolic blood pressure is 75.) Diet beverage consumption and
caffeine intake did not appear to be associated with blood pressure.
Not much of a reduction, you say? Tell
that to someone with high blood pressure
who’s desperately trying to get their BP
into the safe range and doesn’t want to rely
on medication to do it.
Even a small reduction, particularly if all
they have to do is drink less sugar-sweetened beverages, can make a big difference.
In fact, it might save their life.
Your chiropractor can tell you more - much
more- about the considerable dangers of
sugar and high blood pressure.
Jan 13, 2016
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Page 15
BELLY BUSTAS: TAKE 7!
Must Be A Trini!
Panty Stitcher on his computer and finding
Airman Jones was assigned to the induc-
it listed as unskilled labour gives Paddy
tion center to advise new recruits about
$80/wk unemployment pay.
their Government Benefits, especially their
Mick was next in and when asked his oc-
GI Insurance. It wasn’t long before his
cupation says “Diesel Fitter.” Since Die-
Supervisor, Captain Smith, noticed that
sel Fitter is a skilled job, the Clerk gives
Airman Jones had accumulated an unprec-
Mick $160/wk. When Paddy finds out he’s
edented perfect 100% record for insurance
furious, so he storms back into the Unem-
sales. Rather than ask about it the Captain
ployment Office to find out why his friend
stood at the back of the room and listened
and co-worker is collecting double his pay.
to Jones’ sales pitch.
“ Panty Stitchers are unskilled but Diesel
Jones explained the basics of GI Insur-
Fitter are skilled”, the Clerk explains.
ance to the new recruits then says: “ If
“What skill?” Paddy yells. “I sew the elas-
you have GI Insurance and go into battle
tic into the panties and thongs!” Mick just
and are killed, the Government has to pay
puts them over his head and says “ Yep
$200,000 to your beneficiaries. If you
diesel fitter!”
don’t have GI Insurance and go into battle
and are killed the Governemnt only has to
GT Beggar
pay $6,000.00.
A man walks past a beggar every day and
So let me ask you this “ Who do you think
gives him $10 and that continues for a year.
they are going to send into battle first?”
Then suddenly the daily donation changes
to $7.50. “Well,” the beggar thinks “It’s
Trini Medicine
still better than nothing!” A year passes in
A Trini fellah is out on the town with his
this manner until the man’s donation sud-
buddies. He has a few drinks and starts to
denly becomes $5.00. “what’s going on
feel frisky, but faithful to his wife, he goes
now?” the beggar asks his donor. “First
home. Upon arrival he finds her sound
you gave me $10, then $7.50 and now it’s
asleep with her mouth open, so he gets
only $5. What’s the problem?”
two aspirin and drops them into her mouth.
“Well” the man says, last year my eldest
She awakes, choking and asks him angrily
son went to University. It’s very expensive,
“what did you put in my mouth?” “Two as-
so I had to cut costs. This year my eldest
pirin he says truthfully. “But I don’t have
daughter also went to University, so I had
a headache she replies. To which he says”
to cut expenses even further!” “And how
“That’s all I wanted to hear!”
many children do you have?”, the beggar
asks. “Four” the man replies. “Well” says
Newfie Unemployment
the beggar, “I hope you are not planning to
Paddie and Mick worked together in St
educate them all at my expense!”
John’s and were both laid off, so they went
to the Unemployment Office. When asked
Green Thumb
his occupation Paddy answered: “Panty
A beautiful woman loved to garden but
Stitcher.” I sew the elastic into ladies’
couldn’t seem to get her tomatoes to turn
panties and thongs. The Clerk looks up
red. One day while taking a stroll she came
upon a neighbor who had the most beauti-
terday. What the heck was that all about,
ful garden full of very red tomatoes. So she
anyway?” The Indian smiles and proudly
asks the gentleman “ How do you get your
says “ Me training for Upper Management:
tomatoes so red?” “Well” the gentleman
Come in, drink coffee, shoot shit, leave
replies. “twice a day I stand in front of my
mess for others to clean up, disappear for
garden and expose myself. My tomatoes
rest of day!”
turn red from blushing so much!”
The woman is so impressed she decides to
Gifts Registry
try the same thing on her garden to see if
Jacob, age 92 and Rebecca, age 89 are quite
it will work. So twice a day for two weeks
excited about their decision to get married.
straight she stands naked in her garden,
They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding
exposing herself to her tomatoes, hoping
and on the way they pass a drug store. Ja-
for the best. One day the gentleman was
cob suggests they go in. Once inside, Jacob
passing by so he stopped to ask the woman,
approaches the man behind the counter.
“By the way, how did you make out? Have
“Are you the owner?” “Yes” says the phar-
your tomatoes turned red?” “ No” she re-
macist. “We’re about to get married,” says
plies, but my cucumbers are enormous!”
Jacob, “Do you sell heart medication?”
Of course says the Pharmacist. “How about
Upper Management Training
medications for circulation, rheumatism,
An Indian walks into a café with a shot-
scoliosis, memory problems, jaundice and
gun in one hand and a bucket of buffalo
arthritis. “All of those” says the Pharmacist
manure in the other. He says to the waiter
“many varieties!’. “What about vitamins,
“Me want coffee!” The waiter says, “Sure
sleeping pills, Geritol and antidotes for
Chief, coming right up!” He gets the Indian
Parkinson’s?” Absolutely says the Phar-
a tall mug of coffee. The Indian drinks it
macist.
down in one gulp, picks up the bucket of
“Do you also sell wheelchairs and walk-
manure, throws it in the air, blasts it with
ers?” Asks Jacob. “All speeds and sizes”
the shotgun and just walks out.
says the Pharmacist. “How about Via-
The next morning the Indian returns. He
gra?” Jacob asks excitedly. The pharmacist
again has his shotgun in one hand and
hesitates uncomfortably but answers “of
bucket of manure in the other. He walks
course!”
up to the counter and says to the waiter
Jacob turns, confers briefly with his wife to
“Me want coffee!” The waiter says “Whoa
be, then says to the pharmacist “We’d like
Tonto, we’re still cleaning up from yes-
to register here for our wedding gfts!”
Page 16
Tap into your RRSP’s full potential with
these six tips.
CONTRIBUTING TO A REGISTERED
Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is one of
the most effective ways for Canadians to
save for retirement. If an RRSP is part of
your investment plan, here are some valuable suggestions you can take advantage
of:
1. Make it automatic.. With a biweekly or
monthly preauthorized plan, you can avoid
the rush before the contribution deadline
and benefit from tax-deferred growth on
your contributions throughout the year.
If your workplace offers a group RRSP,
sign up. Contributions can be deducted
before calculating payroll taxes, lowering
the taxes withheld from your paycheque.
Some employers also match contributions.
2. Contribute more during peak earning
years.. If you are in a high tax bracket,
consider maximizing your contributions
to benefit from the tax deduction. Plan to
withdraw in retirement when your income
and tax rate are likely to be lower.
3. Consider an RRSP loan .. If you have
excess RRSP contribution room, you may
want to consider an RRSP loan so you can
make a larger contribution to your RRSP
during the first 60 days of the year. You
then use your tax refund to repay some or
all of your loan. The result is more money
working for you sooner.
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Top Reasons You Put Off
Credit Repair – Part 1
Make The
Most Of Your
RRSP!
4. Consider making your contribution to
a spousal RRSP.. A spousal RRSP is an
RRSP that is opened by your spouse or
common-law partner, but that you contribute to – and you get the tax deduction.
When your spouse or common-law partner withdraws the money, he or she pays
any taxes due, as long as your most recent
spousal contribution wasn’t made this year
or in either of the previous two years. This
income-splitting strategy can save your
household taxes before and after retirement.
5. Top up whenever you can.. Think about
contributing raises, bonuses, tax refunds
and extra cash flow after you pay down a
debt. At the very least, boost your annual
contributions by the inflation rate.
6. Plan for more than retirement.. You can
borrow funds from your RRSP to buy a
qualifying home through the Home Buyers’ Plan or to pay for qualifying educational programs through the Lifelong
Learning Plan. You do not have to pay
tax on these withdrawals as long as you
repay the money to your RRSP according to a set schedule. Talk to your advisor
about whether you’re taking full advantage
of your RRSP, and regularly review your
RRSP contributions and investments to
ensure you’re on track for a comfortable
retirement.
Jan 13, 2016
so go get one and get to it!
You think it’s too hard to repair your
credit
Do you honestly think that having bad
credit is any easier? And it may not be as
You likely already know (or at least have
a pretty good idea) what state your credit
is in, or you probably wouldn’t be reading
this. Chances are, you’ve already done
a bit of research on the web and found
several different companies that can repair your credit. If you’re ambitious, you
may have read up on how to repair your
credit yourself. Either way, you haven’t
actually done anything about your credit
yet. Below, you’ll find the top 10 reasons
that you probably haven’t taken any action, as well as reasons why you should.
Hopefully, before you’re through reading the list you will have stopped reading
and started to do something about your
credit.
You’re waiting for the “Credit Repair
Fairy” to fix it for you
If this is you, don’t feel bad, you’re in
plenty of good company. There are more
people than you might imagine that figure if they just wait it out, their credit
will magically improve. The truth is, you
can join this group and wait up to seven
years for negative items to fall off your
credit report (10 years for a bankruptcy),
or you can decide to do something about
it and be proactive in changing your
credit.
You’re not sure how to start
Seriously? C’mon, this is an excuse, not
a reason. This is the Information Age,
and there are countless resources and
pages upon pages of information at your
fingertips online, or at your local library.
The last I heard, library cards were free,
hard as you think. At least give it a try,
what can it hurt?
You use your spouse’s good credit instead of fixing yours
This sure seems like a good option at
first glance, one of you has good credit,
the other doesn’t, so just use the good
credit and ignore the bad, right? Wrong!
What happens in the event of divorce?
“Not a possibility”, you say? Well, good
for you, but you should also consider
disability and even death. When you
think about it, there are so many things
that can change the marriage dynamic in
a hurry, and you may be left with even
worse credit.
You think that you don’t have enough
money to repair your credit
A reasonable assumption, to be sure.
But it’s not typically necessary to have
all of the money up front. Payment plans
can be negotiated, as well as settlements
for lesser amounts. And you may want
to consider how much bacredit can cost
you. Some studies and figures indicate
the monthly amount that can be saved is
in excess of $500. Still think you don’t
have enough money.
Remember Ignorance is NOT bliss, and
pretending that you don’t have bad credit
sure won’t fix it anytime soon.
At Score- Up we can get you started on
the right track. Book your strictly confidential appointment today.
Call: 289 608 8377/647 669 9320
Email: free@score-up.ca
Visit www.Score-Up.Ca
Jan 13, 2016
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Page 17
INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE MATTERS
Think You Don’t Need Life
Insurance? Think Again
Vegentie
Ramkhelawan
Your hard work and dedication has paid off – the result
of a successful business endeavor or a lucrative business that you built. You’ve established a comfortable lifestyle where you enjoy your beautiful home, drive a nice car and
maybe even have a nice waterfront property.
You may believe that your success means
you don’t need life insurance because you
can selfinsure against the unexpected financial burdens life throws your way. But is that
really the case? For the average Canadian, life
insurance provides protection for the family
when there’s a death and the income stops.
Life insurance can provide funds to help pay
the mortgage or maintain a family’s quality
of life when someone dies. But for successful
business owners with millions in assets, or
well-off people whose home is paid for and
kids are grown, is life insurance relevant?
The answer is yes – and here’s why. Life insurance does more than protect your ability to
earn an income. It also protects your wealth
– existing assets, including real estate hold-
Zorena Sawh
Condominium sales are
ings,
investments
and your business.
Life insurance is key
to effective estate,
business and lifestyle
planning – especially
in the getting ready
and early stages of
retirement. What was
deemed a necessary
expense or the ‘cost
of protection’ in your
younger years, now presents a valuable financial opportunity. Take term life insurance, for
example. For businesses with multiple owners, a buy-sell agreement sets out the conditions – such as disability or death – that give
the owners the right to buy the other owner’s
share of the business. Ideally, this agreement
should be funded in a way that doesn’t cause
financial difficulty for the company or the person being bought out – and that’s where term
life insurance comes in. If an owner dies, the
company or surviving owners (depending on
how the insurance is
set up) can use the
insurance proceeds
to buy the deceased
owner’s
share.
Through a buy-sell
agreement funded
with life insurance, a
business owner can
help ensure that the
business’ successors
have the money they
need to buy the business for its fair price and
can continue the business without excessive
debt or instalment payments.
With permanent life insurance, a business
owner can protect, and often improve, their
financial position via:
• Potentially superior rates of return (compared to some other conservative investments
such as guaranteed investment certificates and
government bonds), • Tax-effective wealth
transfers to the next generation or from a
corporation, • Additional tax-free retirement
income through a series of loans, using the
policy cash value as security, • Greater tax
efficiency related to charitable giving, and •
Estate preservation.
Term vs. Perm – the difference.
Term life insurance provides coverage for
a specific period of time, such as 10, 20, 30
years or until a certain age.
It’s an excellent lower-cost method to provide
money exactly when it’s needed, whether
that need is to protect your income or provide
funds to support a buy-sell agreement. • Permanent life insurance (including whole life
and universal life) provides lifelong protection. It provides the same protection as term
life insurance, but it can also help you grow
and manage your wealth.
Because you’re a business owner or wealthy,
your needs may be different from the average
Canadian, but your need for a sound financial
plan that’s designed to protect and grow your
hard-earned assets isn’t. I can help you determine how much and what type of insurance
you need
Important Things to Consider
When Buying a Condo
While having a security guard on site does pro-
booming in many urban
vide added security, keep in mind that this ex-
areas in Canada especially in large cities such
pense will increase the maintenance fee.
as Toronto and Vancouver, with several build-
Owner occupancy rate
ings being developed. Today, condominiums
Is also important to find out who occupies the
continue to appreciate in market value at a rate
other units of the complex. Owners occupying
that is almost as fast as that of single-family
their suites have an invested interest into the
residences making condos a good investment.
building and typically take better care of com-
Buying a condo with features that are in high
mon areas.
demand will maximize the profit on your real
Do not get caught up on the looks and cosmetics
estate investment and create an enjoyable condo
of a condo. Go back at least a couple times to
living environment.
view all the things you may have overlooked or
A condo with a view
didn’t consider when visiting the first time.
A spectacular view is an important factor in de-
Condominium units have become a wise alter-
ciding the value of a condo unit. A unit with
native to owning a house. This is not surpris-
an unobstructed view of the cityscape or a lake
ing, as living in a condo can be more convenient
is much more preferable to a view of an indus-
than living in a house. A condo is ideal for in-
trial building or a neighbour’s kitchen. Choose
dividuals living alone, small families and older
a south or west-facing unit that offers optimum
people. And because condos are smaller, they
light, which can make smaller spaces look larg-
are less expensive to maintain.
er. Balconies and patios provide desirable access to the outdoors, which is highly sought after by condo dwellers. Although these features
will cost a premium, they are more than worth
the investment, and will help in getting a top
price when it comes time to sell.
Condo maintenance fees
Buying a condo with a relatively low maintenance fee is a smart choice. Many condos have
amenities that include gyms, swimming pools,
squash courts, party rooms or rooftop patios.
The cost of these features will result in a higher
monthly maintenance fee. Condo buyers should
consider whether they will make use of these facilities in order to justify paying a higher maintenance fee.
High demand condo features
Look for condos with modern kitchens and
bathrooms that not only provide immediate aesthetic appeal, but are in great demand by buyers.
Hardwood floors are a very popular feature in
leaving the costly option of parking in a public
condos, not only offering a stylish appearance,
parking lot.
but also providing a desirable, easy-to-clean
Building security
alternative to stain-weary, allergen-inducing
broadloom.
Storage space
Storage space is important because of the small
size of the condo unit. Some condos include a
storage locker in the common areas of the building. Make sure there is enough space for your
essential seasonal items – such as a bike, skis,
snowboard, hockey gear, baseball equipment,
Christmas tree, etc.
Car parking
As parking in large cities can be scarce, a condo
that has a parking space included is a very good
investment. Ensure that the building has ample
visitor parking or that there is available street
parking in the neighbourhood. Many condos in
the downtown core provide no visitor parking,
Zorena is a Broker and Manager for HomeLife Today Realty Ltd., brokerage She is also
a Mortgage Broker. Call her anytime at 416854-9062
Page 18
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Jan 13, 2016
Some Healthy Chicken Recipes To Start
Off Your Irie Easing Eating New Year
It’s a new year and time for all of us to
make some easier eating choices. Here are
two easy, chicken recipes to get your year
started on a most flavorful note. With both
recepes you might want to try adding some
Irie Jerk Seasoning to the chicken spice it
up just a “likkle bit!” Yeah man!
Chicken With Mango Barbeque Sauce
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
(about 1 cup)
1 red pepper, diced
(about 1 cup)
3 cloves garlic,
coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly
ground
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup low-sodium tomato sauce
1 mango, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 to 3 jalapenos, minced
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about
3/4 pound each)
Directions
Heat the oil in a medium-sized skillet over
medium-high. Add the onions and cook
until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add
the red peppers, garlic, salt and pepper,
and allspice and cook for 2 minutes more.
Stir in the vinegar,
molasses, Worcestershire sauce,
lime juice and
tomato sauce
and cook for 1
minute more.
Transfer
the
mixture
into
a bender and
add the mango and jalapeno. Blend until
smooth.
Put 1 cup of the barbeque sauce into a
sealable plastic bag with the chicken and
marinate for 1 hour.
Preheat the broiler. Put the chicken on a
broiler pan and discard the marinade. Broil
the chicken on high for about 12 minutes,
turning once. Let the meat rest for 10 min-
utes before slicing. Spoon about 1/2 cup of
barbeque sauce over the meat slices and
serve.
Total Time: 1 Hr 42 mins
Chicken Carbonara
Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
2
teaspoons
minced garlic
2 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 cup freshly
grated Parmesan
8 large egg yolks
1/4 cup chopped
fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped
fresh
Italian
parsley leaves
Salt, 1 pound spaghetti
4 cups coarsely shredded chicken (from 1
roasted chicken)
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan
over medium heat. Add the pancetta and
garlic and saute until it is brown and crisp,
about 8 minutes. Cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together the cream,
cheese, yolks, basil, and parsley to blend.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook until it is just tender but
still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally,
about 10 minutes. Drain.
Add the chicken to the pan with the pancetta and stir
to combine.
Next, add the
spaghetti and
the
cream
mixture and
toss
over
medium-low
heat
until
the chicken
is
heated
through and the sauce coats the spaghetti
thickly, about 4 minutes (do not boil or you
might end up scrambling the eggs). Season
the pasta, to taste, with pepper and salt if
needed (the pancetta will likely add all the
salt you need). Transfer the pasta to a large
wide serving bowl. Sprinkle the walnuts
and lemon zest over, and serve.
Jan 13, 2016
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Page 19
Russell, Sammy Cut
Roy Singh Exploring
From Windies
Niagara Region Cricket
Contracted Players List Stadium Construction
Andre Russell
West Indies’ Twenty20 captain Darren
Sammy has not been contracted by the
WICB for 2015-2016, along with allrounder Andre Russell and spinner Sulieman
Benn. Chris Gayle, who had previously
turned down West Indies contracts more
than once, including last year, is not on the
list of centrally contracted players which
was increased from 12 to 15.
Sunil Narine, who had also turned down
a contract last year and is currently suspended from bowling in internationals due
to an illegal action, also does not feature
on the list.
The other two to miss out from the list issued for 2014-15 are Shivnarine Chanderpaul and the out-of-favour Dwayne Bravo.
The contracts, issued for the period from
October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016,
include several batsmen who have debuted
for West Indies in Test cricket over the past
year and a half, including Jermaine Blackwood, Leon Johnson, Shane Dowrich, Shai
Hope and Rajendra Chandrika. Legspinner
Devendra Bishoo was also added, as well
as fast bowlers Shannon Gabriel and Sheldon Cottrell.
Sammy had turned out for West Indies in
the T20s against Sri Lanka as recently as
November last year, though he was left
out for the preceding ODI series on that
tour. Globetrotting T20 specialist Russell
had played both the ODIs and T20s on that
tour. Left-arm spinner Benn last represented West Indies during their home Test
series against England in April 2015.
In further exciting developments of his
or optioned, the site plan advanced, the
plans for the construction of a Canadian
design suitably fitting on site engineer-
Cricket Stadium, CPLT20 President Roy
ing wise, as well as ancillary facilities
Singh, has been engaged in discussions
and traffic having been well planned,
with City Officials in the Niagara Re-
they would be more than willing to pro-
gion.
vide any assistance needed in presenting
Following his initial discussions, the Re-
the stadium construction proposal to the
gion’s Officials recently held an internal
Province and its MTO. The proposed
technical meeting to discuss Singh’s pro-
site’s acquisition costs have been esti-
The WICB’s contracted
players for 2015-16
posal for the conversion of abandoned
mated at $4.5 million dollars.
former race track in the area as a site for
The site however also qualifies for the
the stadium’s construction.
Niagara Gateway Tax Increment Grant
Singh has been further informed that
and as such if Singh’s cricket stadium
there are no roadblocks or hurdles to de-
construction plans do proceed to fruition,
veloping this property and that once a site
he can expect to receive up to ten years
Jason Holder, Kraigg Brathwaite,
In: Devendra Bishoo, Shannon Ga-
plan has been presented a building permit
of regional tax rebates.
Rajendra Chandrika, Darren Bravo,
briel, Sheldon Cottrell, Jermaine
could be issued. The Region’s Engineer-
Singh is also pursuing corporate spon-
Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin,
Blackwood, Rajendra Chandrika,
ing officials have also confirmed that all
sorship financing for the project from
Devendra Bishoo, Shannon Gabriel,
Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich, Leon
required services sewer, water, gas, elec-
Canadian and international companies.
Jermaine Blackwood, Jerome Tay-
Johnson
tricity are in place.
In related developments Singh’s CPLT20
lor, Sheldon Cottrell, Shai Hope,
Out: Darren Sammy, Andre Russell,
Given the sites proximity to Ontario Min-
has also re-submitted its application to
Shane Dowrich, Leon Johnson, Ke-
Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chand-
istry of Transportation Provincial high-
Cricket Canada for sanctioning of its In-
mar Roach
erpaul, Dwayne Bravo
ways, the Niagara Region officials have
augural Season which is scheduled for
indicated to Singh that once his ducks
this coming Summer.
are all in a row, with the land purchased
Page 20
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Jan 13, 2016