February 2010
Black history celebrated in Ontario legislature
By RON FANFAIR
The provincial Liberal government, with just one African-Canadian member in the 107-seat legislature, celebrated Black History Month at Queens Park last week.
Outstanding leaders honoured
By RON FANFAIR
Elected officials and community leaders are important to the governance of a country. But the police are the most visible barometer in a functioning democracy, says Toronto Police Service (TPS) Deputy Chief Peter Sloly.
"When you walk off a plane, you see an officer at the customs booth," Sloly said in his keynote address at the eighth annual Second Chance Scholarship awards luncheon last Sunday in Scarborough. "When you first ask for directions, you are not talking to Margarett Best, but instead to a police officer in downtown Toronto and you start to judge the society on the reception you get, the service you get and the impression you get from the police officer.
Documentary examines influence of Rastafarianism
By RON FANFAIR
Being related to the late great Bob Marley could be a blessing and a challenge. Donisha Prendergast grasps that even though she was not around when her grandfather created powerful songs of freedom, passion and justice that - nearly three decades after his death - resonate around the world.
Appreciating that the legendary Marley's music and lyrics were informed by his Rastafarian beliefs, Prendergast has embarked on a historic journey to document the deep religious movement that influenced her grandfather's music.
Chinese celebrate New Year
By RON FANFAIR
Member of Parliament Olivia Chow, Trinity-Spadina MPP Rosaria Marchese and city councilor Adam Vaughan joined the local Chinese community in celebrating the Lunar New Year last Saturday at University Settlement.
The ceremony marked the Year of the Tiger which began on February 14.
The afternoon of tradition Chinese festivities featured an acrobatic lion dance and other activities to celebrate the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese Lunar calendar.
Lawrence appointed to judicial council
By RON FANFAIR
Entrepreneur Delores Lawrence has been appointed to the Ontario Judicial Council (OJC) which investigates complaints made by the public against provincially-appointed judges and Justices of the Peace.
The council also approves the education plan for provincial judges annually and has approved criteria for continuation in office and standards of conduct developed by Chief Justice Warren Winkler who is the chair.
Though the council is not directly involved in the appointment of provincial judges to the bench, an OJC member serves on the provincial Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee as its representative.
