www.TheCaribbeanCamera.com August 15, 2019 ISSUE NO: 30/12 TEL: 416.412.2905 FAX: 416.412.3605 JCA Now Independent From left: Denham Jolly and past presidents of the JCA: Miah Bailey, Roy Williams (first president of JCA ), Herman Stewart, and current president Adaoma Patterson proudly display the famous cheque. See story on Page 3 www.thecaribbeancamera.com THE CARIBBEAN CAMERA Thursday, August 15, 2019 1 NEWS Great Festival, but what about that Parade anyway? By Stephen Weir brought in to save the festival. Shortly there- hree months ago, after, the number two plans for the 2019 man, Trinidad’s Gerard TToronto Caribbe- Weekes suddenly left an Carnival (Caribana the organization and for all us old timers) had the country (but he did all the makings of a plan come back to Toronto in for a funeral parade. time to be a spectator at The festival had lost some of the events). Peeks, its name-spon- Then there were the sor, and behind the organizational problems scene sources said that of Pan and Calypso. The the Smart Phone App Louis Saldenah Calypso Monarch con- had not ponied up the test was cancelled, and piggy bank the FMC total monies promised Pan Alive was facing was broke. The owners for 2018 – meaning the financial and location of the festival were also Festival was already in issues. The parade hit by staffing issues the hole before the first itself had to deal with early in 2019. The new Mas camp opened its creating a new parade CEO, Richard DeLima, doors. route and deciding if only 6-months into the With no new major non-competing bands job, was dismissed even sponsors infusing big could take part in the though he had been dollars into their empty Big Show for the first time in its history. Well, as Mark Twain said, “Rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” With one nota- ble exception – the running of the parade - 2019 was a banner year. Yes, something for the record books. The Costume launches organized by the nine Mas Bands were wildly successful. An estimat- ed 10,000 people paid come surprise) the FMC (Scarbarough) this year to attend at least one of get better in years to were aware that there for the junior revelers. the late night launches. come. would be thousands All of the events – from The Mas bands This year the Gala more people in costume the kick-off press con- were able to generate was stripped down from and on the road come ference to the parade big money selling cos- being a formal sit-down August 3rd. were huge successes. tumes in advance of the meal to a costume filled That City Hall Compared to the 2018 big parade. Long before Carnival buffet. It was a launch was also well Peeks junior King and - the Festival held its night of laughs and sur attended with all levels Queen competition, prises – who knew there well-attended City Hall of government promis- which was a major flop, was a Mas Robot who launch (another wel- ing money, assistance this year’s event was a could take your picture and well wishes. It community winner. and sing you Machel’s was announced that The Kiddies Parade, music? non-competing bands blessed with sunny, Except for a Chil- were being let in (for windless skies and good dren’s Monarch contest a fee) generating new pre-event promotion, there was no formal monies for the FMC and was spectacular. Three competition for Cana- bringing a new genera- thousand kids and dian Calypso perform- tion of people into the 10,000 watchers have ers. There were several fold! now made Malvern the well-attended Calypso There were four epicenter for junior concerts in Scarbor- events held in Malvern jumping up. It will only Turn to PAGE 13 2 THE CARIBBEAN CAMERA Thursday, August 15, 2019 www.thecaribbeancamera.com NEWS Denham Jolly’s $312,000 gift leaves JCA mortgage free Denham Jolly ing, for this reason and guests. Entertainment came from the Prime expanding membership, was provided by the Ar- Ministers of Canada; we moved here to Arrow senals, Toronto’s number the Jamaica the High Rd”, Jolly recalled. one Ska band. Messages Turn to PAGE 15 Kashane Denton, Director of Communica- ast Saturday the tions of the JCA, told the Jamaican Canadian Caribbean Camera that LAssociation (JCA) in late 2018 the organi- held its annual gala to zation decided to start a th celebrate Jamaica’s 57 drive towards paying off year of Independence. their existing mortgage. Unbeknownst to the From Left: Ivan Dawns and Herman Stewart Adaoma Patterson said attendees, the JCA was that after speaking to about to receive possibly member of the JCA, and victories of former several individuals with- the largest gift since the spoke of the association’s enslaved Africans against in the community, she association came into trying beginnings at its enormous odds – racism, spoke to Denham Jolly being. first location on Dawes discrimination, sabo- who, after putting her Jamaican-Canadian Road, off the Danforth. tage – Jolly praised the through a thorough grill- businessman Denham He recalled JCA’s move strength of character of ing, decided that to pay Jolly wrapped up his into its new home coin- all those who laid the off the mortgage. “We 25-minute keynote cided with the emergence groundwork for success- were so surprised and speech with the an- of the Western Guard, es like the acquisition of appreciative we could not nouncement that he will a “Canadian Version of the Jamaican Canadian believe that he would be pay off the balance of the the KKK”. So when the Association’s building on that generous; we always mortgage the JCA owes uninsured building was Arrow Road. knew that he was gen- on its building on Arrow burned to the ground, “Out of defiance and erous but this was more Road. He then present- it was generally felt that great work from people than we expected and we edhem with a cheque for it was the work of the like Roy Williams, we thank him for that,” said $312,000.00; the JCA Western Guard. acquired a building on Patterson. now owns a building that In a speech that Dupont St. West near the The gala, which was is estimated to be worth traced the long his- Junction. This building held at the 995 Arrow Rd over four million dollars. tory of the struggles had very little or no park- building, sat over 400 Jolly, a lifelong www.thecaribbeancamera.com THE CARIBBEAN CAMERA Thursday, August 15, 2019 3 NEWS Black Coalition of Quebec suing Montreal police for racial profiling class-action suit In a 14-page ruling based on racial profiling damages should be. seeking compen- made Aug. 7, Judge that violated Charter While the principal Asation from the André Provost provided rights, whether those petitioners for the class city of Montreal for inci- a list of questions that incidents cause damages action are the Black dents of racial profiling would need to be ad- to members of a particu- Coalition of Quebec and by its police department dressed by the proceed- lar group, whether police Alexandre Lamontagne, has been given leave to ing, including whether should be held liable for who contends he was a Gabriel Bazin, Black Coalition of Quebec V.P., and proceed by a Superior police engaged in those damages and what victim of racial profiling lawyer Jacky-Eric Salvant Court justice. discriminatory conduct the amount of those Turn to PAGE 14 UNI-TNT Picnic- fundraiser for Trinidad’s sick children UNI-TNT contin- are focused on giving back, and to help.” This duck competition, where ues its fundraising for back to those in need, year, the proceeds of the chef of the most charitable causes in mainly in the Caribbean, the annual picnic will tasty curry duck will win the Caribbean with its especially in times of be donated to the sick a $500 prize. annual picnic on Satur- disaster,” Maharaj says. children’s ward at the “We will also be day, August 24th at the “For example when San Fernando hospital holding a major raffle Markham Fairgrounds. Dominica was hit by in Trinidad. where the first prize is President of UNI- Hurricane Maria, we do- Maharaj says the a ticket from Caribbean TNT, Carlos Maharaj, nated about $10,000.00 UNI-TNT annual picnic Airlines with a set of lug- says the group is only 3 worth of relief supplies has been growing in gage; 2nd prize will also years old but has already to the Dominica relief popularity and will be a ticket from Carib- attracted thousands effort. Most recently, we feature vendors, live bean Airlines, “Maharaj crowd of 5000 people, The UNI-TNT of members from the shipped wheelchairs to entertainment including reveals. all looking to re-connect Picnic will be held at the Caribbean diaspora, “We a hospital in Trinidad, the “Exodus” band, kids He says that at the with family and friends Markham Fairgrounds, are young but powerful. and we continue to look zone and the very popu- low $15 entry fee, the and enjoy the diverse 10801 McCowen Road. As a charity group, we for opportunities to give lar, international curry group anticipates a entertainment and food. 4 THE CARIBBEAN CAMERA Thursday, August 15, 2019 www.thecaribbeancamera.com NEWS Showcase to celebrate Team Canada heading to CARIFESTA XIV TORONTO - A way of thanking our contingent of nearly 50 sponsors and sharing nationally recognized a taste of what we will artists, arts adminis- be presenting in Trini- trators and their sup- dad and Tobago,” said porters will be hosting a Rhoma Spencer, Artistic special showcase prior Director of C-CAN.