Photo by Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo
Good morning folks Hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well. This month we bring you lots of interesting stories from our community. Our Top Story for October is the community builder awards given to two of our outstanding community leaders: Ingrid John-Baptiste and Sandie Nault.
With the return of Justin Trudeau to yet another minority government, we bring you the profiles of the nine successful Black candidates. Although we would have liked to see more Black members of Parliament, we see this as work in progress, as the Black community in Canada continues to fight for our place at the table. The resignation of Annamie Paul as leader of the Green Party should be a cause for reflection for Canada’s Black community; from the day she took on the helm of this party, the racist and anti-Semitic elements in the party had been on a vicious and malicious witch-hunt, the likes of which we have never seen in this country.
Good news from the City of Ottawa, which has appointed Montrealer Renee Amilcara as its next head of the OC Transpo. We wish her success in managing this challenging portfolio, with its incessant problems with the new LT light rail. On the same note, we rejoice with Rachel Dacoste on her appointment as Equity Director with the National Film Board.
Another news of interest is the acquittal of OC Transpo driver Aissatou Diallo from all 38 charges relating to the tragic 2019 bus accident, that resulted in the death of three passengers and injuries to many more. Our former Youth editor Ililli Ahmed returns as guest columnist with her incisive piece on Black Mental health services. Former Ottawa resident Stachen Frederick weighs on why and how the pandemic plan should focus on youth inequities, while columnist Robin Browne argues that minority governments are actually good for Canada’s Black population.
All these and more in the October edition. Here is the result of the September 2021 poll: Do you plan to vote in the federal election on September 20, 2021? Yes 100% No 0% . Remember to vote in the October 2021 poll: Are you satisfied with results of the September 2020 federal elections?
Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful and productive month of October.
Godwin Ifedi Editor