Godwin Ifedi Editor Photo by Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo.



Good morning all

Prime Minister Trudeau in Black face: That’s the news that have dominated the airwaves this past few weeks. Suddenly out of nowhere, the previously pristine, squeaky-clean image of Canada’s young and personable Prime Minister appears to be in tatters. Our Black community was blind-sided, no-one had seen it coming! So we have left it to Ottawa’s iconic community leader and writer Ewart Walters to try to make sense of it all, in our Top Story for October. Under the Special feature, Calgary’s Muslim mayor Naheed Nenshi, weighs in on this controversy. How this imbroglio will play out in this month’s election is anybody’s guess. But one thing is for sure, the relationship between Canada’s politicians and the Black community will never be the same.

The October 21 Federal election dominates the October edition as we bring you profiles of all the Black candidates representing the various political parties. We urge our readers to go out and cast your votes; the only way our individual and collective voices can be heard is by voting for the party and candidate of your choice. Whichever party comes out ahead, we will hold them accountable when it comes to addressing issues that affect us: anti-Black racism, marginalization and more. In the same vein, we are gratified to report on the election in Manitoba of three Black candidates to the provincial parliament, a first for that western province.

On a happier note this month brings readers the society wedding of Bolanle and James Mims, with family and friends coming from across the globe to join the celebrations, captured in the Social section. We also bring you two galas, celebrating the birthday of community leader, Basirat Bashorun and the 50th anniversary of veteran Bishop Rudolph McEwan.

We also bring you info on the mental health workshop at the Somerset West Community Health Centre, a topic that does not sit comfortably with our community. Financial planner Meiz Majdoub provides more knowledge this time on group life insurance. Our Interview features Ottawa’s new Police Chief, Peter Sloly.

All these and more in the October edition.

Please remember to participate in this month’s poll: Is anti-Black racism as widespread in Canada as in the USA?

Here is the result of the September 2019 poll: Will the appointment of Jamaican-born Peter Sloly as Ottawa’s Chief of Police, improve relations between the Police and the community at large?

Yes 70% No 30%

Thank you to all who voted.

All the best and enjoy the month of October.

Godwin Ifedi

Editor