Afro Caribbean Business Network

Category: Opinions

  • Introducing Mkutano: Bringing Black Canada Together

    Introducing Mkutano: Bringing Black Canada Together

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    A New Weekly Series on Unity and Empowerment

    Dear valued readers, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of a new weekly article series, “Mkutano: Bringing Black Canada Together.” This exciting series aims to unite, inspire, and empower our Black Canadian community by exploring various topics that deeply resonate with us. Each week, we will delve into issues such as climate change, employment, arts, racism, housing, health, family, youth, wealth, education, food security, community development, culture, economics, men, Black history, media, and women. We aim to foster open dialogue, create a sense of unity, and inspire positive change.

    What to Expect from Mkutano

    1. In-Depth Analysis: We will provide comprehensive insights into the challenges, opportunities, and success stories that shape the Black Canadian community’s experiences in these diverse areas.
    2. Expert Perspectives: Our articles will feature insights and advice from industry leaders, activists, and community members who have made a significant impact in their respective fields.
    3. Empowering Strategies: We will share practical strategies, resources, and initiatives to empower our community members to take action and drive change in their own lives and the lives of those around them.
    4. Community Voices: At the heart of “Mkutano” is a commitment to amplifying the voices and experiences of the Black Canadian community. We will share personal stories, interviews, and testimonials that highlight the resilience, creativity, and strength of our community.
    5. Celebrating Success: Each week, we will spotlight the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians across various sectors, from arts and culture to entrepreneurship and activism.

    Join the Conversation

    “Mkutano: Bringing Black Canada Together” is not just a series of articles; it’s a movement to create a platform for connection, dialogue, and collective action. We invite you to join the conversation by Registering here: https://mkutano.community/

    1. Engaging with our articles: Read, reflect, and share your thoughts and perspectives in the comments section.
    2. Sharing your stories: If you have a story, insight, or experience related to any of the topics we’ll explore, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us to share your story and possibly be featured in an upcoming article.
    3. Spreading the word: Help us amplify the voices of the Black Canadian community by sharing our articles on your social media platforms and with your friends and family.

    Conclusion

    We are excited to embark on this journey with you as we explore the issues that matter most to our community. “Mkutano: Bringing Black Canada Together” is a testament to the power of unity, dialogue, and shared purpose in uplifting and empowering the Black Canadian community. Join us as we shine a light on the challenges, opportunities, and triumphs that define our collective experience and help pave the way for a brighter future. Stay tuned for our first article, coming soon!

    Week 1 April 17: Through Our Lens: The Importance of Media in the Black Community and the Power of Community Dialogue

    Week 2 April 24: Empowering Our Queens: The Importance of Black Women in the Community and the Power of Community Dialogue

    Week 3 May 1: The Importance of Men in the Black Community: Fostering Unity and Growth Through Community Dialogue

    Week 4 May 8: The Importance of Black History and How It Affects the Black Community: The Need for Community Discussion

    Week 5 May 15: Building a Stronger Community: The Importance of Economics and the Black Community in Fostering Prosperity and Change

    Week 6 May 22: Cultivating Our Roots: The Importance of Culture in the Black Community and the Power of Community Discussion

    Week 7 May 29: Supporting Our Future: The Importance of Youth in the Black Community and the Need for Community Engagement

    Week 8 June 05: Nourishing Our Communities: The Importance of Food Security for the Black Community and the Need for Community Discussion

    Week 9 June 12: Strengthening Our Foundations: The Importance of Housing in the Black Community and the Need for Inclusive Dialogue

    Week 10 June 19: Healing Our Communities: The Importance of Health in the Black Community and the Need for Community Discussion

    Week 11 June 26: Bridging the Gap: The Importance of Family in the Black Community and the Need for Community Discussion

    Week 12 July 03: Empowering Minds: The Importance of Education in the Black Community and the Need for Community Engagement

    Week 13 July 10: Building Sustainable Futures: The Importance of Climate Change and Its Effects on the Black Community

    Week 14 July 17: Unlocking Opportunities: The Importance of Employment in the Black Community and the Need for Community Discussion

    Week 15 July 24: Expressing Our Voices: The Importance of Arts in the Black Community and the Power of Community Dialogue

    Week 16 July 31: Breaking Barriers: The Importance of Eliminating Racism and Its Impact on the Black Community

    Week 17 August 7: Fostering Growth: The Importance of Wealth and Its Effects on the Black Community and the Need for Community Discussion

    Week 18 August 14: Strengthening Our Neighborhoods: The Importance of Community Development in the Black Community and the Need for Community Engagement

    Keep track and join all the conversations on https://mkutano.community/

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  • Strategies for Successful Completion of Projects ─ Including Megaprojects: Part 1 of 3: Preamble ─ The Big Picture

    Strategies for Successful Completion of Projects ─ Including Megaprojects: Part 1 of 3: Preamble ─ The Big Picture

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    TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, March 22, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — Part 1 of 3: Preamble ─ The Big Picture March 22, 2023

    Part 2 of 3: Significant Reasons for the Failure of Megaprojects April 12, 2023

    Part 3 of 3: Megaproject Success is Attainable ─not Inevitable May 03, 2023

    A report by Angelina King · CBC News · Posted: December 08, 2022, 4:00 AM EST. Last Updated: December 08, 2022, regarding the METROLINK Eglington Crosstown LRT Project inspired this paper (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/confidential-documents-eglinton-crosstown-lrt-1.6675131).

    The Project Management Institute (PMI)® researchers indicate that seventy percent of all projects fail ─worldwide (https://www.pmi.org/about/press-media/press-releases/2018-pulse-of-the profession-survey). The Big Question! Why do projects fail ─including megaprojects?

    First: “Managing a Project” differs from “Project Management.” The former is often a function of “position of appointment” ─not essentially underpinned by the requisite proficiency in project management (PM) and best practices. The latter comprises composite knowledge, experience, policies, roles, responsibilities and accountabilities, guidelines and procedures, tools, techniques, processes, methodologies, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and enterprise reporting (ER). These are the principal aspects of the successful management of projects.

    These core attributes of project management (delineated above) underpin the framework of PMIs ® Ten Knowledge Areas of Project Management (PMBOK) Seventh Edition ─universally recognized as the benchmarks for results measurements and Key Performance Indicators
    (KPI) (https://www.kpi.org/) (https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/10-project-management knowledge-areas).

    TEN KNOWLEDGE AREAS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT (PMBOK)
    1. Integration Management
    2. Scope Management
    3. Time Management
    4. Cost Management
    5. Quality Management
    6. Resource Management
    7. Communications Management [Enterprise Reporting (ER)]
    8. Risk Management
    9. Procurement Management
    10. Stakeholder Management

    More importantly, these ten knowledge areas constitute universally accepted standards for managing projects, supported by technology professionals and business administrators. Directors of Project Management and Project Managers need a supporting team of Project Management Professionals (PMPs) to help them understand and navigate the complex nature of integrated project management and define the “requisite expertise” to fulfill their projects. They often struggle to understand the inherent “financial value proposition” of project management. More importantly, to evaluate and quantify project management’s benefits as a “critical success enabler” for completing their projects within scope, on time, on budget, and to specifications.

    A CASE FOR IMPLEMENTING PROJECT MANAGEMENT
    The 2018 Pulse of the Profession ®, a global survey conducted by Project Management Institute (PMI), reveals around $1 million is wasted every 20 seconds collectively by organizations ─worldwide due to the ineffective implementation of business strategy through poor project management practices, equivalent to roughly 2 trillion dollars wasted a year (https://www.pmi.org/about/press media/press-releases/2018-pulse-of-the-profession-survey).

    PROJECT MANAGEMENT ─ THE BIG PICTURE
    Project Management begins with understanding the three significant and highly integrated components, distinctly differentiated but equally weighted in value ─depicted in Figure 1.
    1. Project Management Theory and Practice
    2. Project Management Planning, Scheduling, and Forecasting
    3. Project Management Process Design

    1 Figure 1: Item 2 is the critical faculty for the computerized schedule integration of all elements in the Project Management triangulation of such parameters as ─scope, time, cost, resource, budget, priority, risk, qualitative and quantitative schedule analysis, and forecasting. There is a need for expert knowledge in applying highly computerized Project Management software tools such as ORACLE Primavera P6 EPPM to facilitate the management of projects. Moreover, to function effectively in today’s highly integrated multinational business environments ─further complicated by logistics supply chain integration of Tier 1, 2, and 3 manufacturers, suppliers, and assemblers, and the testing and commissioning of equipment and systems for approval and operation.

    SUMMARY

    Part 2 will introduce the principal reasons why projects and businesses fail. Finally, part 3 will present unique strategies to manage projects successfully and business enterprises throughout their respective phases and life cycles, such as planning [monthly] execution, monitoring and control, and closure. PMIs ®. Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Seventh Edition (https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/5-project-phases).
    Gibbs A. Errol, IVQ, CET, PMP
    Senior Project Management and Business Analyst
    T. 905.875.4956
    E. gibbse143@gmail.com

    About Errol Gibbs:
    Errol A. Gibbs, IVQ, CET, PMP, has a trade, technical, and polytechnic engineering background in power generation. Errol practiced for twenty-five years in Nuclear and Thermal Power Generation and Transmission with Ontario Power Generation (OPG). He is a former Project Management Analyst (PMA) and Planning and Scheduling Engineer/Officer. Errol also practiced in the Automotive Manufacturing Engineering sector for approximately six years as a Scientific Engineering Technologist and Senior Project Management Process Designer under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Errol conducted business capability assessment and analysis and wrote and presented a “White Paper” ─A Manufacturing Engineering Project Office (MEPO) ─A Critical Link to Supply Chain Integration, at ®PMI’s 2000 Global Symposium in Houston, Texas, USA. He is also the principal researcher and writer of A Canadian Black Empowerment Manifesto (CBEM) Version 01. Volume 001. Revision 002.

    About ACBN:
    Founded in 2017, the ACBN works to unify and educate Black entrepreneurs in its network of more than 5000 businesses in Toronto, Peel and urrounding areas. The ACBN has cultivated a community for Black business owners where they can cross-promote their products and services to build their ventures and participate in relevant business and personal growth workshops. ACBN supports Black Founders with strategic planning to assist with capacity building with resources such as microloans, marketing and sales support as well as investment readiness training. ACBN has conducted extensive research in southern Ontario to understand the current landscape of Black Entrepreneurs and the barriers they face. As part of the National Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, ACBN works with business support partners to create solutions to eliminate barriers Black entrepreneurs may face. For more information visit https://www.acbncanada.com

    Ryan Knight
    Afro Caribbean Business Network Foundation
    +1 647-225-3309
    email us here
    Visit us on social media:
    Facebook
    Twitter
    LinkedIn
    Instagram
    YouTube

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  • No. 2 Construction Battalion Apology

    No. 2 Construction Battalion Apology

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    Images: Credit to the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
    Screenshots and Apology
    Stamp Image – Credit: © Canada Post Corporation

    NB: Language alert: quoted terms reflect those used at the time.

    By Erica Phillips, BA, MA

     

    Black men and women supported Canada’s war efforts despite the discrimination they faced trying to participate, and while serving.
    This past summer Prime Minister Hon. Justin Trudeau apologized for the racism endured by Black soldiers in the First World War.

    Organizers could not have chosen a better day for such a monumental event: a national apology to the descendants of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canada’s segregated Black Battalion.

    “For the blatant anti-Black hate and systemic racism that denied these men dignity in life and in death, we are sorry. Only when the truths of the past are acknowledged can we begin to dress the wounds they created and build a better, more inclusive Canada for all,” said Trudeau on July 9, 2022 in Truro, Nova Scotia.

    An apology that was more than 100 years in the making was finally delivered, fittingly on the same grounds where the No. 2 trained. Clear blue skies, sunshine, and mild temperatures provided the ideal setting for the hundreds of people who gathered at the Truro Amateur Athletics Club (TACC) for the three-hour ceremony. The event, hosted by the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia (BCCNS) in conjunction with the Department of National Defence, was live-streamed and the video is still available. The prime minister’s remarks start at 2:44:23.

    Members of Canada’s Black population, which dates back centuries, wanted to serve in the military, but racist beliefs and actions denied Black Canadians that opportunity even though were fit.

    Several memos and letters were sent from 1914 to 1920 between the federal—and within—government and Black citizens about Black participation in the First World War. The documents are in the Public Archives of Canada and many of them are cited in the book The Black Battalion 1916-1920: Canada’s Best Kept Military Secret by Calvin Ruck. Black Canadians were determined to join the war effort.

    In a 1915 letter to the Minister of Militia and Defence Sir Samuel Hughes, George Martin of Hamilton wrote, “humble and loyal subjects of the King…are most anxious to serve their King and Country.”

    A few black men did enlist but the majority were rejected until the No.2 Construction Battalion CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) was established. There was no official policy denying Black men the opportunity to fight; it was up to local commanding and recruiting officers to decide who to accept. Those in charge deemed Black men not fit to serve and argued that White soldiers would not want to be near them. As Trudeau, points out in the apology, Blacks were told “this is a white man’s war.”

    Major General W.G. Gwatkin, who opposed a Black regiment proposed the formation of a Black labour battalion. “Would Canadian Negroes make good fighting men? I do not think so,” Gwatkin said.

    In a “Memorandum on the enlistment of Negroes in Canadian Expeditionary Force” Gwatkin, the chief of the general staff wrote, “Nothing is to be gained by blinking facts. The civilized negro is vain and imitative; in Canada, he is not being impelled to enlist by a high sense of duty; in the trenches, he is not likely to make a good fighter; and the average white man will not associate with him on terms of equality.” The memo was dated April 13, 1916.

    The Department of Defence and Militia allowed the formation of the No. 2 Construction Battalion on July 5, 1916. The segregated unit was based in Pictou and Truro Nova Scotia. It arrived in England in April 1917; it had to sail to Europe on a separate ship. Members served mainly with the Canadian Forestry Corps. While in France’s Jura region, the Battalion performed auxiliary tasks, which included supplying lumber for the front.

    Descendants of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, including Anthony Sherwood, the event’s emcee, waited, watched, stood, and some probably even shed a tear when Trudeau said those three words “we are sorry” and so much more. His apology acknowledged the involvements, hardships, and history of the No. 2.

    “While the contributions of No. 2 Construction Battalion members to the war effort were invaluable – they cut the lumber that was used in the trenches, railways, and even aircraft – they faced systemic anti-Black racism throughout the war.”

    Members of the No.2 received poor medical care, and food: 23 members died overseas. “I’m here to today to offer the official apology for the appalling way these men were treated. We cannot, we will not allow what happened to No. 2 happen again,” Trudeau added.

    During the ceremony, Senator Dr. Wanda Thomas-Bernard of Nova Scotia said, “Our ancestors were survivors and had to fight their country to fight for their country.” This sentiment is often repeated by those who write about the No.2.

    A non-combat unit, Black men from across Canada, parts of the U.S., and the Caribbean enlisted in the segregated battalion. Two of those soldiers, Arthur Nelson Ware and William James Ware, were sons of the cowboy John Ware.

     

    Despite being from Nova Scotia and a student of history, The Hon. Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence only learned about the Battalion when she became took on that role.

    “The members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion were discriminated against before, during and after their service in the Great War. We are deeply sorry to all of the Battalion’s descendants and to the members of the Battalion who are no longer with us today. I hope that today’s apology will help recognize every Black Canadian who bravely served this country in times of war, and in the pursuit of peace,” said Anand.

    Trudeau and Anand signed the apology during the ceremony, which was the culmination of several days of commemorative events. The descendants received a copy of the apology.

    The No. 2 Construction Battalion was disbanded in 1920.
    Other honours for the No.2 include renaming the grounds Truro Amateur Athletics Club, and a plaque. The Royal Canadian Mint will issue a pure silver coin in February 2023 to celebrate the No. 2. In addition, the Battalion also received the Theatre of War Honour “France and Flanders.”

    On July 9, 2022, the No. 2 Construction Battalion-Canadian Expeditionary Force finally received the heroes’ welcome it deserved.
    Lest we forget.

    —

    Prime Minister’s Statement:
    https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2022/07/09/prime-minister-delivers-apology-descendants-no-2-construction

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    • The Black Battalion 1916-1920: Canada’s Best Kept Military Secret by Calvin Ruck
    • For My Country – Black Canadians on the Field of Honour by Dennis McLaughlin and Leslie McLaughlin
    • The Blacks in Canada: A History by Robin W. Winks
    • Honor Before Glory (Film) by Anthony Sherwood

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  • Lest We Forget – Victoria Cross Winner William Hall

    Lest We Forget – Victoria Cross Winner William Hall

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    Credit: Nova Scotia Museum

    By Erica Phillips, BA, MA

    When most people think of contributors to Canada’s war efforts and those who served with distinction, they have one type of person in mind.

    Black Canadians have served with honour— even pre-confederation. Navy man William Hall of Nova Scotia is one such example.

    William Neilson Edward Hall, VC of Nova Scotia was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1859; the first Black man, the first seaman, and the first Nova Scotian to earn the distinction. In Canada, the Victoria Cross is the highest award for military valour and the British Empire’s highest honour for bravery. Hall had served under the British in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

    Born in *Horton Bluff, N.S. in April 1827, Hall was the son of freed slaves. While on board a slave ship from Africa to North America, his parents— Jacob and Lucinda Hall— were freed by the Royal Navy during the War of 1812.

    William Hall worked in shipyards in Hantsport, N.S. and built wooden ships for the merchant marines travelling the world, working on merchant ships as a deckhand. As a sailor he saw many of the world’s vital ports.

    After that work, Hall joined the U.S. Navy for a year and a half. Then at age 25 in 1852, he joined the British Royal Navy in Liverpool, England and worked as an Able Seaman on the 90-gun HMS Rodney, a warship. He served two years in the Crimean War (Ukraine). A member of the Naval Brigade, Hall manned the heavy guns helping the ground forces, he received the British Crimea and Turkish Crimea medals. Hall was honoured for his actions at Sebastapol (now Sevastopol) and Inkerman, cities in the Crimean peninsula.

    Later Hall served on the HMS Victory in Portsmouth England then the HMS Shannon under Captain William Peel. As the ship was escorting troops to China in 1857 expecting trouble there, a mutiny broke out in India. Rebel Indians sieged a garrison in Lucknow. The HMS Shannon was sent to India: Hall was part of the crew which bombarded the Shah Najaf mosque in Lucknow. The walled structure was key in the battle.

    Hall was one of a few men from the Shannon crew left standing. He and a badly injured officer, Lieutenant Thomas Young, kept firing, reloading and firing, and breaking a hole in the wall of the fort.

    According to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Hall said, “I remember that after each round we ran our gun forward until at last my gun’s crew were actually in danger of being hurt by splinters of brick and stone torn by the round shot from the walls we were bombarding.”

    This allowed troops to enter the fort and take it over. It was for those actions that Hall earned the Victoria Cross. The citation on the medal reads: “Lieutenant (now Commander) Young, late Gunnery Officer of Her Majesty’s ship ‘Shannon,’ and William Hall, ‘Captain of the Foretop,’ of that Vessel, were recommended by the late Captain Peel for the Victoria Cross, for their gallant conduct at a 24-Pounder Gun, brought up to the angle of the Shah Nujjiff, at Lucknow, on the 16th of November, 1857.”

    In October 1859, Hall received his Victoria Cross medal while aboard the HMS Donegal in Ireland. He served on many more ships after that.

    Hall left the navy: Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) says “He retired from the service in 1876 with the rank of Petty Officer, First Class.”
    The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic says he retired as quartermaster.

    After Hall left the navy life, he lived with his sisters Rachel Robinson and Mary Hall, on a farm in Avonport Nova Scotia.

    “Hall lived in relative obscurity until 1901, when His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cornwall and York, the future King George V, visited Nova Scotia to unveil a monument. A parade was held in his honour, and Hall was in attendance, with his Victoria Cross and other service medals pinned to his chest. The Duke noticed this and enquired about the medals, opening a conversation between the two men,” says VAC in its entry “Able-Seaman William Neilson Edward Hall.”

    Hall died of paralysis at his home in Hantsport, N.S. in August 1904. Despite being a decorated navy man, he was buried in an unmarked grave—and without military honours.

    Thirty-three years later a campaign was launched to rectify the situation and have Hall’s bravery honoured by the Canadian Legion. In 1954 Hall’s legacy was given the respect he earned. His remains were reburied on the grounds of the Hantsport Baptist Church. “The monument erected there bears an enlarged replica of the Victoria Cross and a plaque that describes Hall’s courage and devotion to duty,” says The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

    After Hall’s reburial, a branch of the Canadian Legion in Nova was renamed after him. Hall’s medals were sent to Canada from England for Expo ’67. His medals are on display in the Nova Scotia Museum in Halifax. In 2010, a connector route in Hall’s hometown of Hantsport was renamed William Hall V.C. Memorial Highway. Canada Post honoured Hall with a commemorative stamp in 2010.

     

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    * Some sources say William Hall was born in Hants County, or Horton or Wolfville, N.S.

    https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/medals-decorations/canadian-victoria-cross-recipients/william-hall

    The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
    https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/collections/william-hall-vc

     

    Recommended Reading

    • For My Country: Black Canadians on the Field of Honour, by Dennis McLaughlin and Leslie McLaughlin
    • The Black Battalion 1916-1920: Canada’s Best Kept Military Secret, by Calvin Ruck

     

    Notes

    Yes, it’s Crimean peninsula, not Crimean Peninsula.

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  • Federal Budget 2022 Review

    Federal Budget 2022 Review

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    Minnie Karanja
    Director of Public Policy
    The full budget details are accessible here: https://budget.gc.ca/2022/report-rapport/toc-tdm-en.html

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    Hon Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, on Thursday last week presented the 2022 Federal budget in the House of Commons.

    This is the first budget in the last three years that is not a pre-election or “pandemic” budget. Also, the first since the Liberals and New Democratic Party (NDP) signed the supply-and-confidence agreement that assures the Liberal minority government of NDP’s support in the House of Commons until the next election date. You can find details of the agreement here.

    Large spendings to support Canadians and Canadian businesses to weather the COVID-19 pandemic storm are now significantly reduced. In trying to keep some of the promises outlined in the Liberal-NDP agreement, there are some new social investments and a focus on climate action. However, to a considerable extent, the 2022 budget is a housing budget.

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    The housing crisis nationally has been getting worse over the years and especially in the last two years as housing prices have shot way beyond reach for too many families and first-time homeowners, in an over-heated market. Not a surprise then, that housing is the first chapter in the budget and the government has signaled novel ways of working with other orders of government to tackle the challenge. The government recognizes that all levels of government need to work collaboratively to address housing and should involve the non-profit sector and co-ops. The government promises, in partnership with other levels of government, to double construction of new housing.

    This review looks at the proposed investments in housing and key direct investments in Black communities.

    Co-op Housing

    Among the measures introduced is the generation of co-op housing to build an estimated 6,000 units through reallocating $500 million of funding on a cash basis from the National Housing Co-Investment Fund to launch a new Co-operative Housing Development Program aimed at expanding co-op housing in Canada. There is also a proposed additional $1 billion in loans to be reallocated from the Rental Construction Financing Initiative to support coop housing projects.

    New Housing Accelerator Fund

    Budget 2022 proposes to provide $4 billion over five years, starting in 2022-23, to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to launch a new Housing Accelerator Fund. The fund will be designed to be flexible to the needs and realities of cities and communities. Its focus will be on increasing supply, but government supports will be targeted to ensure a balanced supply that includes a needed increase to the supply of affordable housing. This new fund will target the creation of 100,000 net new housing units over the next five years.

    Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit

    For the first time, the government recognizes the housing needs for many Canadians that live in multigenerational homes. To support these families, Budget 2022 proposes to introduce a Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit, which would provide up to $7,500 in support for building a secondary suite for a senior or an adult with a disability.

    A Tax-Free First Home Savings Account

    The government will introduce a Tax-Free First Home Savings Account that would give prospective first-time home buyers the ability to save up to $40,000. Like an RRSP, contributions would be tax-deductible, and withdrawals to purchase a first home – including investment income – would be non-taxable, like a TFSA. Tax-free in, tax-free out.

    Direct Support for those in Housing Need

    Budget 2022 proposes to provide $475 million in 2022-23 to provide a one-time $500 payment to those facing housing affordability challenges. The specifics and delivery method will be announced later.

    Extending the Rapid Housing Initiative

    Starting in 2022-23, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will receive $1.5 billion over two years, to extend the Rapid Housing Initiative. This new funding is expected to create at least 6,000 new affordable housing units, with at least 25 per cent of funding going towards women-focused housing projects.

    Leveraging Transit and Infrastructure Funding to Build More Homes

    The government will leverage proposed $750m for municipalities to address public transit shortfalls by requiring provincial and territorial governments to match the federal contribution and accelerate their work with their municipalities to build more homes for Canadians. This new approach by the federal government to leverage funding to municipalities and provinces including infrastructure funding is expected to increase housing construction although the number of houses is unclear.

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    Funding for Black Researchers

    To help increase opportunities for Black Canadian researchers, the government will provide $40.9 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, and $9.7 million ongoing to the federal granting councils to support targeted scholarships and fellowships for promising Black student researchers.

    Mental Health Fund for Black federal public servants

    The 2020 Public Service Employee Survey showed that Black federal public servants feel less included in the workplace – a key component of a healthy and safe work environment. Budget 2022 proposes to provide $3.7 million over four years, starting in 2022-23, to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat for Black-led engagement, design, and implementation of a Mental Health Fund for Black federal public servants.

    Supporting Black Canadian Communities

    Budget 2022 proposes to provide $50 million over two years, starting in 2022-23, to Employment and Social Development Canada for the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative, to continue empowering Black-led and Black-serving community organizations and the work they do to promote inclusiveness.

    Fighting Systemic Racism, Discrimination, and Hate

    Recognizing that Canada’s fight against racism is far from over, Budget 2022 proposes to provide $85 million over four years, starting in 2022-23, to the Department of Canadian Heritage to support the work underway to launch a new Anti-Racism Strategy and National Action Plan on Combatting Hate.

    Federal Funding for the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora

    In 1993, the Honourable Jean Augustine made history as the first Black Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons and later became the first Black Canadian to be appointed to the Federal Cabinet. Ms. Augustine has also had a distinguished career as a social justice activist and educator. The Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora, housed at York University, is focused on addressing the systemic barriers and racial inequalities in the Canadian education system to improve educational outcomes for Black students. Budget 2022 proposes to provide $1.5 million in 2022-23 to the Department of Canadian Heritage for a federal contribution towards an endowment which would support the ongoing activities of the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora.

    The full budget details are accessible here: https://budget.gc.ca/2022/report-rapport/toc-tdm-en.html

     

     

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  • 2021 Federal Budget for Black Entrepreneurs

    2021 Federal Budget for Black Entrepreneurs

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    On April 19 the Federal government introduced the 2021 Federal Budget. There have been two debriefs so far to determine what is in it for the Black community and I attended to see what was in there for Black Entrepreneurs.

    As I break down the items remember the definition of “Power” The ability to… do something or the ability to direct or influence behaviour.

    Item 1 – Increase of 51.7 million to the Black Entrepreneur Program

    Item 2 – Increase of funding towards procurement to support the Black Entrepreneur. Undisclosed Amount

    Many people are happy about this which is fine but again lets go back to the question of Power. From what I see these two initiatives do not give the Black Entrepreneur Power. Below I have identified where true funds are going in this budget that we need to increase our ability to access. Excerpts from Minister Ng update email below…

    “Here are some of the highlights for Canadian businesses:

    • Both the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy will be extended until September 25th 2021, with the possibility of extension till November depending on the economic and public health situation.
    • Introducing the Canada Recovery Hiring Program: This $595-million-dollar investment will help businesses pivot to recovery with incentives to hire back, grow hours, or increases wages.
    • We announced a historic $4-Billion-dollar investment into a Digital Adoption Program to help Canadian small businesses become more competitive, go digital, take advantage of e-commerce, and become more competitive in Canada and around the world.
    • Supporting Women through COVID-19: We are building on the initial $5-billion-dollar investment in the Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy through a suite of federal investments and activities totaling $146.9M to address remaining persistent barriers, and support growth opportunities.
    • Starting and Scaling up: We want our Canadian companies to start-up, scale-up, access new markets and be global leaders for innovation. To do this they need access to financing. That is why we are expanding loans to include start-up costs and intangible assets, increasing the maximum loan for the Canada Small Business Financing Program to $500,000 and extending the coverage period to 15 years.
    • Creating the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Program: Our government will invest over $100 million dollars to ensure Canada’s entrepreneurship ecosystem is supporting inclusive growth. This program provides new funding for national organizations to support diverse entrepreneurs and small businesses across Canada with financing, mentorship, and advisory services, and will help all Canadians have an equal chance to succeed and contribute to economic recovery and growth.
    • We are investing $450M to enable Canada’s venture capital industry to ensure robust access to capital for the next generation of innovative firms that will emerge and power inclusive growth during the recovery – both broadly across innovation-intensive industries and specifically within the health and bio-sciences sector.
    • As we have always said, the environment and the economy go hand in hand, our budget today invests $17.6 billion into Canada’s green recovery.”

    The Final one I believe we need to pay very close attention to. The Federal government has earmarked a large amount of money to create a “Green Economy” so we need to ask ourselves are we part of building this infrastructure. The Federal government spent over 200 billion dollars in procurement in 2020 but how much of that money went to the Black Entrepreneur? The Federal government has a National Housing Strategy with over 26 billion dollars already allocated through CMHC and 3 billion more has been budgeted. How many black developers are getting the contracts to build affordable housing for Canada?

    Stay tuned to see how ACBN is helping company access the bigger pool of funds that exist for the Black entrepreneur.

    Be sure to join our newsletter to stay up to date.

    Ryan Knight Executive Director of Afro Caribbean Business Network

    Thoughts from the desk of Ryan Knight.

    Executive Director of the Afro Caribbean Business Network Foundation.

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