Eddie Grant
Gleaner Writer

The Jamaican Canadian Association, the oldest Black organisation in Canada, hosts an annual awards programme which provides financial assistance to students from the African Canadian community. In this, its 16th year, some 27 students are recipients of awards.

These are students who are pursuing post secondary studies in Ontario's universities or colleges. The awards were made possible by the generous support from individuals, including owners of Black businesses across the community, politicians and educators.

The presentation of the scholarships took place late last month at the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) headquarters at 995 Arrow Road in North York, and attracted patrons from a cross section of the Canadian Caribbean community.

Among them were: Members of York Regional Police department, whose Deputy Chief of Police is Jamaican-born Andre Crawford - who was also one of the award presenters; Hon. Judy Sgro, Privy Council, MP Humber River - Black Creek who delivered a message from Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; Lloyd Wilks, Jamaica's Counsel General to Toronto and other dignitaries.

In his opening address, Sylvanus Thompson, chair of the Scholarship Committee, thanked the various sponsors, donors and others for their support since the inception of the programme. He said: "In 2002, when the scholarship was launched, we only had $2,000. Through your continued support, today we have managed to collect close to $586,000 that has enabled the JCA to help 499 worthy students to make their educational expense less burdensome."

Lloyd Wilks, Jamaica's Counsel General to Toronto, in his address, paid tribute to the awards recipients and encouraged them to continue to strive for higher education.

He said: "Those who over the years have worked to lay the foundation to make this event possible have blazed the trail for you to continue. We are now passing on the torch to these young people who have a mirror that they can look into."