: Four Black Police Officers To Give Deposition on Racism with the York Regional Police Force

IT ALL WILL  HAPPEN WEDNESDAY LIVE ON YOUTUBE

On Wednesday, February 24, four Black York Regional Police Officers, and their lawyer will be appearing before the York Regional Police Services Board (YRPSB) to make a vitally important  deputation on matters of systemic racism and discrimination within the service.  The media is invited to attend and cover this important live online deputation that is being held during Black History Month.  

 

"The Deputation is an act of Bravery on the part of the officers who have been traumatized over many years. It is also an act of Bravery on the part of the York Region Police Service Board to  build bridges and address systemic racism,” explains the officers’ Counsel for Justice and Equity – Courtney Betty.  The goal is to make York Region a model for other Police Forces to follow."

“As a result of ongoing internal anti-Black racism conflicts, I have had with my employer for almost 10 years, I along with three other Black officers who have had the same complaints regarding YRP's differential treatment of its Black employees will be appearing before the York Regional Police Service Board to voice our concerns,” says  Police Constable Dameian Muirhead, “We will also be sharing intimate details about how this treatment has impacted our mental, physical and emotional health,” he continues. “Our close relatives have also been negatively impacted by these experiences.”

 

The officers who will speak on Wednesday morning are:

 

·      19-year veteran Detective Constable Neil Dixon. He is currently on leave as a result of suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, due to a near-death experience after a racial profiling incident involving two White YRP officers and a Sergeant.

·      Special Constable Vernley France has been with the force for 19-years. In 2015, he came forward to address the issues of racial discrimination and anti-Black racism in the workplace.  As a result of his coming forward, York Regional Police retaliated in the form of a series of  ongoing reprisals against the Caribbean Canadian constable.

·      Police Constable Dameian Muirhead is an 18-year veteran of the Service.  The Jamaican Canadian officer continues to endure various internal and external adversities while maintaining exemplary work performance as documented in all his formal work evaluations.  

·      The Fourth Officer, is identified as Police Constable ST

 

Normally held at  the York Region Administrative Centre’s chambers in Newmarket Wednesday’s deputation will be live online on Zoom and viewable by the media and the public on YouTube. 

 

The YRPSB is a seven-member civilian governing body mandated to oversee the police service. Expected to attend the hearing are members: Virginia Hackson (Chair, Mayor of East Gwillimbury), Maurizo Bevilacqua (Vice Chair, Mayor of Vaughan), Wayne Emmerson, Josh Cooper, Jennifer Fang, Walter Perchal and Norma McCullough. Mrs. McCullough is the only Black member of the Board; she  is currently a member of the Association of Black Law Enforcers.

There are 2,400 men and women working for the York Regional Police under the command of Chief Jim MacSween, Deputy Chiefs’ Brian Bigras, Paulo Da Silva, Cecile Hammond and Robertson Rouse.  Deputy Chief Rouse, a Trinidadian Canadian, is the only Black officer in the service's Upper Command

There are 1.2 million citizens living in York Region, 25,000 who self-identify as Black.

 

Further Information

For interviews, photographs and more detailed biographic information on the officers. Please contact

Stephen Weir,

Communications Consultation

416-489-5968, Stephen@stephenweir.com

@sweirsweir

 

York Regional Police Services Board Meeting:  February 24, 2021 –9:00 a.m.

To watch on live YouTube  https://youtu.be/WIVa251JYts

 

 

It is official - Saturday is Bob Marley Day in Toronto

 

ONE LOVE MEDIA RELEASE 

On Behalf of the City Council, Mayor John Tory – in a very eloquent speech – officially declared February 6, 2021 Bob Marley Day in Toronto.  

  

This marks the 30^th year that the City of Toronto has officially declared Bob Marley Day. In his message, the Mayor recognized the impact of Bob Marley both in his music and his philosophy of world peace and unity captured in his famous song “One Love”. 

The video link below captures the Mayors' message along with the messages from our award winners:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQwcfgBR_IU&feature=youtu.be

Media Download:

 https://1drv.ms/u/s!AhNXfckYjHyNhFM-2fd6b9wNmBvL?e=qxs2yJ

   

The Bob Marley Day committee also recognized the following individuals for their contribution in building our City and our country. 

• Celina Caesar-Chavannes  
• Jennie Esnard  
• Theresa Betty  
• Dr. Aubrey Zidenberg  
• Andria Barrett  
• Nicholas Marcus Thompson   
• Velma Morgan  
• Balarama Holness 
  
• Director X

For further information, contact Courtney Betty at 647-884-1181.

Betty's Law Office

(416) 972-9472

www.bettyslaw.com

 

Distributed by

Stephen Weir & Associates on behalf of Betty's Law Office

Toronto, Ontario

stephen@stephenweir.com

416-489-5868

Matrix Mortgage Global champions Alternative lending in Canada - now working with MCC

 MATRIX MORTGAGE AND MORTGAGE WORKING TOGETHER FOLLOWING NEW DEAL

Shawn Allen

SCARBOROUGH, ON, Jan. 28, 2021 /CNW/ - Matrix Mortgage Global ("Matrix") is pleased to announce that they have entered into a franchise agreement with Mortgage Centre Canada ("MCC"), a member of the Dominion Lending Centres Group ("DLCG").

Matrix, an early adopter of contactless mortgage transacting, has been instrumental in the virtual shift of the Canadian mortgage marketplace by offering a secure end-to-end virtual user experience. As an industry leader for innovation, Matrix has created a new Enterprise Solution, BURST that provides API Integrations with a host of SaaS (software as a service) providers, lenders, lawyers, appraisers, clients and referral partners.
This move to MCC is in alignment with Matrix's growth strategy that will provide its over 100 lender and vendor partners with streamlined information dissemination and improved data collection methods.
Rich Spence, President of MCC, remarked: "Mortgage Centre Canada is highly respected and is the longest established mortgage network in Canada. Respecting the past while embracing the future has always been MCC strength.  Working with Matrix and Newton to bring technology and brokers together is exciting for all of us at MCC."

By aligning with MCC, Matrix will have greater access and deeper integration with award winning tools and technology such as Newton Connectivity Solutions' ("Newton") award winning Velocity mortgage orientation platform.

"Newton is pleased that Matrix Mortgage Global has selected Velocity as its brokerage operating platform," says Newton CEO and President, Geoff Willis.  "Newton is committed to connecting mortgage client, broker, and lender with seamless technology solutions that focus on better client experiences." 

"I am optimistic about the opportunities this partnership will bring" Shawn Allen, Founder & CEO of Matrix Mortgage Global stated. "Our values surrounding the future of mortgage transactions and the digital workplace are rooted firmly around a desire for efficiency and transparency. We have always been at the forefront of innovation as our organization is laser focused on AI driven Fintech(Financial Technology). Teaming with MCC and Newton means that the emerging technology Velocity provides will greatly reduce the length of the mortgage sales cycle and improve how we service our mortgage clients."

About Matrix Mortgage Global: Matrix Mortgage Global has championed Alternative lending in Canada since 2008. Together with a strong technology infrastructure and innovative lending product suite, Matrix Mortgage Global plays a critical role in educating and financing Canadian borrowers, of which over 400,000 were impacted by the 2016 & 2018 Government-Sanctioned Stress-Test Regulations.

Matrix Mortgage Global, the reigning three-time Brokerage of the Year founded in 2008, Matrix Mortgage Global provides Canada-Wide mortgage financing with a Solution Based Lending approach. With over $1.5B in mortgage originations, Matrix has revolutionized the accessibility of alternative and private funds offering a diverse suite of mortgage and investment solutions. An active member of the Canadian Mortgage Broker Association, Matrix advocates for Canadians Borrowers at all levels of government.

About Mortgage Centre Canada / Dominion Lending Centres Inc: DLC group of companies is Canada's leading and largest mortgage brokerage with over $40 billion in funded mortgages in 2019. DLC group of companies operates through four main subsidiaries, Dominion Lending Centres, Mortgage Centre Canada, Mortgage Architects and Newton Connectivity Systems and has operations in all 13 provinces and territories. DLC group of companies' extensive network includes ~6,000 agents and 515 locations. Headquartered in British Columbia, DLC group of companies was founded in 2006 by Gary Mauris and Chris Kayat.

About Newton Connectivity Solutions: Newton's complete range of products and services are designed to automate the entire mortgage approval, underwriting and funding process by providing instant insight into the entire business.

For further information: Carla Allen, 416-206-4230, www.matrixmortgageglobal.ca. 

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MATRIX BY: STEPHEN WEIR Stephen Weir & Associates | stephen@stephenweir.com

Federal Black employees launch multimillion dollar lawsuit against the Government of Canada

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Claim seeks to address and bring to an end the unjust practice of Black employee exclusion

OTTAWA – On Friday current and former Black public servants filed a class action lawsuit against the Government of Canada on behalf of thousands of Black public service employees who have been subjected to systemic discriminatory barriers in hiring and promotional practices.

The claim, which has been filed in the Federal Court of Canada, contends that the federal government’s systemic practice of Black employee exclusion has led to economic and psychological harm to thousands of employees dating as far back as the 1970s.

“Black Canadians are overwhelmingly underrepresented in the upper echelons of the public service,” said Toronto lawyer Courtney Betty, a former Crown Attorney. “We are asking the federal government to fulfill its legal obligations of equality as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights. This systemic practice of Black employee exclusion has for decades turned the dreams of many Black employees into a lifetime of pain and suffering.”

The claim calls on the federal government to implement a concrete plan blackclassaction.ca/diversity-plan to diversify the public service and empower Black employees. The claim also seeks restitution for the approximately 30,000 Black public service employees who have been subjected to these racist systemic practices for decades.

“This practice of Black employee exclusion has deprived Black Canadians of opportunities, and fellow Canadians of the benefit of full Black employee participation in service of their country,” said Toronto Employment and Human Rights lawyer Hugh Scher who is also representing the employees in this class action.

Prior to this claim, the federal government acknowledged the issue of systemic racism across Canada and within government institutions. Despite Prime Minister Trudeau stating that “Canadians must now go back and reflect on the building blocks that elevated these organizations and examine whether they were built on a racist foundation,” no action has been taken to end the practice of Black employee exclusion in the federal public service.

“Canada’s public service presents itself as a ‘merit-based, representative and non-partisan organization that serves all Canadians’. While laudable as a principle, many Canadians, particularly Black Canadians, have experienced a different reality,” said Chris Aylward, National President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. “The government must do what is necessary to right these wrongs and ensure that these injustices do not continue.”

“Justice delayed is justice denied. There is never a convenient time to advocate for justice,” said plaintiff and retired RCMP Staff Sergeant Alain Babineau. “Black Canadians can no longer stand by silently and allow these systemic practices to continue. It is time to take meaningful action to end systemic discrimination and racism within the public service.”

 BACKGROUND:

The full statement of claim is available online at: blackclassaction.ca

The plaintiffs have developed a series of recommendations for the Canadian government to diversify the public service. A copy of this plan is available online at: blackclassaction.ca/diversity-plan

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Sara Fonseca

Betty’s Law Office Email: sara@bettyslaw.com

 *Interviews with the plaintiffs and legal team are available on request

STEPHEN WEIR. Media stephen@stephenweir.com

The Kardinal makes it Offishall. Caribbean Contemporary Art Show is DOPE!

New ground breaking Caribbean Contemporary art show is blessed by the Kardinal:  by Stephen Weir

Canadian mega rapper, record producer, DJ, and record executive Kardinal Offishall doesn’t consider himself an authority on fine art. But he knows what he likes, and loves the paintings and photographs he just saw at the PAMA public gallery in downtown Brampton. 

“I am not a regular connoisseur of fine visual arts-but these works were my cup of tea and spoke to me on an artistic, social and cultural level,” said Offishall after touring the brand new exhibit when night stirred at sea: Contemporary Caribbean Art. “I felt right at home and understood and had a connection to every single piece.”

Late last week PAMA – the Peel Archives, Museum and Art Gallery – opened an exhibition what could well be a first in Ontario.  Their new show is the first exhibition featuring contemporary Caribbean art to hang in a major public gallery. 

“when night stirred at sea: Contemporary Caribbean Art” is a show comprised of works by ten English Caribbean artists working in Jamaica, Trinidad, Canada, America and England. These are artists who are creating cutting edge creative works that are, in the words of Offishall, “super dope”!

 “I felt right at home and understood and had a connection to every single piece,” posted Offishall on his popular Facebook page.

Toronto based Karen Carter and Greg Manuel curated the exhibition.  Never seen in Canada before, the show actually has its roots in the inaugural CArt (Caribbean Art) Fair that was organized and curated by Ms. Carter earlier this year in Mandeville, Jamaica. 

“To be able to bring some of the artists together for a second time and to a broader international audience at PAMA is wonderful and in keeping with the mandate of CArt to connect Caribbean artists to the broader art world,” said Ms. Carter. “To be able to do so at this particular moment in history adds yet another significant layer to our belief of the important role artists play in our understanding of the human condition.” 

The paintings, fabric art and photographs hanging in the gallery are as contemporary as the headlines in our newspaper. Virus isolation. Community policing.  Powerful portraits of Caribbean men and women. This is something that will strongly resonate with a Caribbean Canadian audience.

The artists featured in this show are all connected to the English Caribbean islands. Their works explore themes of identity, community, colonization, globalization, social justice, activism and climate change. The exhibition provides a small window into the complex beauty and inherent tensions of Caribbean cultural identity that connect this region and the larger Caribbean diaspora to the world.

The show officially opened on Friday and will run well into the New Year.  Because of the corona virus it is currently a virtual exhibition. when night stirred at sea: Contemporary Caribbean Art will be open to the walk-in visitors, probably on a timed basis once PAMA re-opens to the public.  

Kardinal Offishall was one of a special few invited influencers and journalists who donned masks and previewed the art show in ones and twos over three-days.  One Caribbean Television, the Toronto Star, the Brampton Guardian, and many other outlets have covered this first exhibition of Contemporary Caribbean art.

Art lovers who are planning to see this exhibition (once restrictions are relaxed) will have no trouble finding PAMA – just look for the shirtless man standing under a white shroud. Four 10 metre tall banners have been made from the works of Janice Reid (Jamaican/Canadian, Brampton-based) and hang-outside the gallery at the corner of Main and Wellington Street East.

There is no cost to see the exhibition on-line. Access the show art: 

 https://peelregion.ca/pama/caribbean-art/?fbclid=IwAR3TgE0awHGYVAikp80-N-T5mUd79bvsgbN1wmaFeZkawtltCCP8siVSjs4

Featured Artists:

* Krystal Ball (Jamaican/Canadian, Toronto-based)

* Vanley Burke (Jamaican/British, London-based)

* Katrina Coombs (Jamaican)

* Owen V. Gordon (Jamaican/Canadian, Toronto-based)

* Ila Lovelace-Kuhnert (Trinidadian)

* Christina Leslie (Canadian, Toronto-based)

* Miles Regis (Trinidadian/American, Los Angeles-based)

* Janice Reid (Jamaican/Canadian, Brampton-based)

* Storm Saulter (Jamaican)