JAMAICAN HEALTH CARE workers and teachers living in Canada have been praised for their positive contributions to their adopted home.
"One only need to observe the composition of Canada's health care providers to conclude that without the Jamaican physicians, nurses and persaonal care workers, Canada would not have the resources to meet its commitment of universal access to medically necessary services," said Mary Anne Chambers, former Senior Vice-President at Scotiabank.
Mrs. Chambers was the guest speaker at the recently held Independence and anniversary gala organised by the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) in Toronto, Canada.
"Our Jamaican teachers, vice-principals and principals are among the best and we can be proud of the contributions that our Jamaican-born educators have been making here in Canada, at every level of the education system," she said.
Mrs. Chambers, who will be running as a candidate in the next Ontario provincial elections, expressed gratitude to the educators for choosing that vocation, and assured them that young people needed them as much as they needed strong, supportive and loving parents.
Speaking about the challenges faced by today's young people, Mrs. Chambers said society must not fail them. "Every aspect and sector of Canadian society has a vested interest in ensuring that the youth, our future, are given every opportunity to contribute their skills and talents towards the building of communities that are strong and progressive," she added.
A graduate of Immaculate Conception High School in St. Andrew, Mrs. Chambers said she considered herself fortunate to have been "raised in an environment and during an era when teachers were respected and considered to be an extension of our parents."
She said Jamaicans were a strong and resilient people, talented, hardworking and unselfish, and "blessed with the desire and ability to care for others, even as we struggle to care for ourselves."
Jamaica's Consul General to Toronto, Vivia Betton, read Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's Independence message. She also shared with the audience an announcement made by the Prime Minister that Air Jamaica would be returning to Canada after a 14 year absence. The first flight from Kingston to Toronto will be on April 5, 2004, and Miss Betton has urged Jamaicans in Canada to fly with the airline.
Several government officials brought greetings, including Member of Parliament Alan Tonks, who praised Jamaicans for "taking their place in every segment of life in Toronto and Canada in general."
Mr. Tonk said that as the Parliamentary Secretary to Canada's Minister of the Environment, he recently visited Washington and was impressed with the role that Jamaica was playing and the leadership the country was providing in the area of the environment and sustainable development.
President of the JCA, Valerie Steele, who was in Jamaica recently to receive the Prime Minister's Medal of Apprecia-tion, encouraged the patrons to visit Jamaica and implored them not to turn their backs on the land of their birth. "In spite of all the impossibilities, Jamaica marches on. Jamaica is alive," she said.
The JCA, which is also celebrating its 41st anniversary, handed out awards to several members. Miah Bailey, a past president; Alton Telfer, and Gifford and Raphaelita Walker, received awards for 40 years of continuous membership, while Zenova Brown, Ismay Murray and Juanita Thompson received awards for 25 years of continuous membership. The Toronto Star received a special award for its series last year on race and crime. Twins, Natalie and Natasha Blake, received the President's Award, given to members with less than five years in the organisation, but who have gone beyond the call of duty.
The 2003 Community Award was presented to Alton Telfer, President of the Kingston Technical High School Past Students Association. He is also a member of the Canadian Friends of St. Thomas Health Care, a group which has established and maintained an Eyecare Clinic at the Princess Margaret Hospital in the parish.
