All posts on February 10th, 2025

With the race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heating up, former MP, Frank Baylis is positioning himself as the pragmatic outsider who can fix a system, he says is failing Canadians. Baylis, a professional engineer and successful entrepreneur, is among the five contenders hoping to win over members. Baylis, who previously served as a Member of Parliament for the Pierrefonds-Dollard riding, admitted he had stepped away from politics due to frustrations with the current system. “I felt that the government wasn’t working for Canadians, and it wasn’t working for me either,” he said. His attempt to introduce Bill 231—legislation …

Nompumelelo Moyo (LJI) On February 15, there will be a special Valentine’s Edition featuring numerous emerging artists from Montreal, some of the city’s favorite DJ’s as well as talented coming in from Vermont and New York called Lovestruck at the Noel Alexander Banquet Hall brought to you by The Jamaica Association and Linkcon Prezzy Demetrius who will coordinate the event. Prezzy is the CEO of Driven Paper Next Level, and he established The Empowerment House for Independent Artists, which is a modern day comeback kid in the music business. Despite having left the music scene in 2017, Prezzy took the …

I grew up in an era within a culture where no one spoke about mental health. Terms like depression and anxiety were foreign to us. If we felt sad, angry, or worried “for no reason,” we were often told that we were either ungrateful or simply not praying enough. Mental health was not prioritized. However, we did recognize the importance of physical health and were constantly reminded that “you are what you eat!” I first began to understand the importance of prioritizing mental health when I was 14 years old. My mom, who was in her forties, had a stroke. …

The 34th edition of Black History Month in Quebec officially launched on January 25th at City Hall. Organized by the Round Table on Black History Month, this year’s theme, “All That We Carry – Tout ce que nous sommes,” emphasizes the enduring resilience, rich legacy, and significant contributions of Black communities worldwide. The launch event had a turnout community dignitaries, City Councillors and Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante who officiated this year’s opportunity for the laureates to sign Montreal’s Livre d’Or, the city’s official guest book. Michael Farkas, President of the Round Table on Black History Month, highlighted the importance of …

Island Scoop is your one-stop article for Soca news during the 2025 Trinidad & Tobago Carnival season which will take place from 3rd to 4th March. So what has been going on since the last issue! This Carnival season Nicki Minaj is featured on the intro of Trinidad Killa’s song ‘Eskimo and promises a verse after one million youtube views. Also Ultimate Soca Champion competition is here to replace International Soca Monarch. First let’s congratulate Trinidad Killa, Pronto, Dori Cowan, Kyle Peters and the full team who put the Soca hit title “Eskimo” together, and a special salute to Nicki …

This past weekend was a rollercoaster for Canadians—some highs, some lows, and a whole lot of “wait, what now?” moments. With Trump officially in office, we’ve been hit with a mix of reactions. And while the 30-day delay on tariffs might feel like a temporary sigh of relief, let’s pause for a second and think about what happens if these potential tariffs actually go into effect. It’s not just about food prices going up—our beloved curly hair products could take a hit too! Here in Quebec, we’re lucky that a lot of our food is locally sourced, but when it …

You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. Mental and spiritual strength is just as important as physical strength. You possess an inner strength and courage that surpasses your perception. Believe in your resilience. I know that things may seem hard right now; the struggle can be overwhelming at times, but I want you to dig deep and find the strength that you have within. Maya Angelou once said, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” Be honest with yourself …

Black History Month is more than a time of remembrance—it is a call to action, a spiritual mandate to honour the legacy of our ancestors while illuminating the path forward with the light of Christ. Throughout the Bible, God commands His people to remember their history, pass it down, and draw strength from it. Just as the Israelites were instructed to recount their journey—from bondage to deliverance—we too, as Black Canadians, must preserve and share our stories. Let us remember the Biblical Mandate given in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, God tells the Israelites: “These words that I command you today shall be …

In the absence of any vaccination, I have developed total immunity to the swirling critiques regarding Black History — that, for example, it segregates history by and about Black people into one month, the coldest and shortest month of the year. As soon as February starts, I witness a proliferation of event notifications, social media posts, and articles that use the opportunities afforded by dedicating a whole month to teaching about Black history. My point of annoyance is reached when some of us, along with our allies in the struggle, chime in on how Black people were kept back and …

Anne Janice Farray Come One, Come All – Our Grenadian Community & Friends of Grenada are invited to Montreal’s grand celebration of our 50+1 Anniversary of Independence on Saturday, February 15, 2025 @ the Polish Hall in Montreal. This year’s Gala is hosted by the Grenada Nationals Association of Montreal, Inc. (GNAM) and the Spice Island Cultural Day Association of Quebec (SICDAQ), in collaboration with the Consul General of Grenada in Toronto, Mr. Gerry Hopkin. The event will mark the end of Grenada’s Golden – 50th – Anniversary of Independence, and usher in its 51st. year. Throughout 2024, our Island …