Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

--> New Photographic Arts Group Putting The Community in Focus CCPAC photo - Kids play in Malvern Park - Stephen Wei By Stephen Weir Six months ago Toronto photographer and videographer Anthony Berot began approaching fellow Caribbean Canadian photographers about forming an association. The goal of the proposed non-profit group? Documenting the Canadian Caribbean experience and inspiring social change through film and digital images. President Anthony Berot Berot, the official photographer and videographer of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival and contri butor to many newspapers and TV networks in the city, turns out to be a persuasive talker. The Canadian Caribbean Photographic Arts Collective (CCPAC) already has a website, close to a dozen members, bi-weekly meetings and has booked its first exhibition in January! “Photography is a powerful tool for social change and a means by which we can establish our place in society,” reads the mission statement of t...

. Jamaica Birthright Programme extends application deadline   By Stephen Weir  As seen in the Caribbean Camera newspaper Jamaican Canadian university students who have not lived in Jamaica can still apply for this summer’s Jamaican Birthright Programme.  Birthright, which includes round trip transportation, accommodation, a stipend and a summer internship in Jamaica is designed to reconnect  second or third generation Jamaicans to their cultural roots. “Students should note that the deadline to apply has been extended to December 6th” explained Petronilla Marchan, one of the Toronto organizers of the programme funded by the GraceKennedy Foundation. “GraceKennedy will host four Canadian university students for a one month Internship this summer” she said. “Candidates must be  second or third generation Jamaicans who have never lived in Jamaica for  more than a period exceeding six months.”   Stephen W...

Six More Canadians Are About To Be Walked Upon By Stephen Weir As seen in the Caribbean Camera There was a special ceremony staged last week to honour the new inductees of Canada’s Walk of Fame.   Two of the six honoured at Wednesday’s Gala at the Liberty Grand ballroom in Toronto are well known to Caribbean Camera readers -   Olympic runner Donovan Bailey and civil rights activist, the late Viola Desmond. Jamaican Canadian Donovan Bailey is a legendary sprinter. He is a two-time Olympic champion in the 100-metre and 4x100-metre relay, three-time world record holder and three-time world champion. This week's cover story by Stephen Weir  The presentation of Mr. Bailey’s Walk of Fame Star (which will be cemented into a downtown sidewalk) was a show stopper because of who was making the formal presentation. Mateus Bailey, Donovan’s 11-year-old son came to the podium to announce his father amidst wild applause from the packed room. Viola Irene Desmon...

Toronto’s Rosemary Sadlier asks Canadians to sign-up and make August 1st National Emancipation Day By Stephen Weir Rosemary Sadlier, the former president of the Ontario Black History Society, is using the internet to reach Canadians wanting to see the Federal Government declare August 1 st as Emancipation Day across the Dominion.   She is strongly supporting both on-line and in person, this new petition that will, upon completion on February 15, 2018 be presented to the House of Commons in Ottawa. The House of Commons E-Petition 1289—was initiated by Montreal’s David Haisell on October 15th. He is the Communications Director of the Canadian branch of The Royal Commonwealth Society.   The petition has the support of the Liberal party, it is sponsored by Toronto Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith   (Beaches-East York). The petition cites the fact that Canada has been a leader in the fight for human rights since the Act Against Slavery was passed in 179...

Story Has Impact Here in Canada.     By Stephen Weir - Caribbean Camera On Friday morning Timeless Herbal Care Ltd held a press conference in Kingston, Jamaica to announce that it has recently received its license to grow and harvest medical marijuana in Jamaica.    Timeless Herbal Care is a Jamaican company run by Toronto lawyer Courtney Betty.    Former Ontario premier Ernie Eves is on the company’s board. Timeless Herbal Care    (THC) has received a  Tier One Ganja Cultivator Licence  from a new agency of Jamaica’s Ministry of Industry Commerce Agriculture and Fisheries, in New Kingston.THC is one of the first companies to be awarded a commercial licence by the Jamaican Government.   My story in today's Caribbean Camera According to Timeless President Courtney Betty “This completes the cornerstone of the Green Gold Triangle with Timeless operations and partners in Jamaica, Israel and Canada.   ...