Jamaicans in Toronto want new crime-fighting measures
JAMAICANS IN the Greater Toronto Area want the new government to address several social issues after the September 3 general election.
The issues vary from fighting crime and corruption to ensuring transparency and accountability, as well as education and financial support for musicians.
“I would love to see more resources used to fight crime and equal rights to education for all,” said Sandra Sylburne.
Belinda Brady said the new Government should focus on developing the music industry and educating musicians on the current business of the industry so they can leverage platforms at their disposal to market and promote their music and engage their audience.
“They should provide more and higher grant amounts so ‘artistespreneurs’ can have a headstart in their careers. Treat them just like they would a small business looking for development, education, and seed money or start-up funds to develop their portfolio within a guided period of time based on a set business plan,” she said.
Brady says she does not see enough focus being placed on developing the music industry and professional and developing independent artistes in Jamaica.
“The artistes themselves are extremely valuable to the music industry. The music industry should be respected and placed on the same level as many large entities in Jamaica or industries that have continued to contribute to the economic and artistic growth of the Jamaican economy,” she said.
Odette Lywood would like to see a system set up that allows Jamaicans living in the diaspora to be able to vote and have a say in what is happening in their homeland.
“Crime is number one; accountability, for sure. They need to be more transparent with all that they’re doing – the salaries and the mismanagement of funds,” she said.
She also believes that politicians should only serve two terms.
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Lee Patience is concerned about corrupt politicians, whom he described as one of the biggest obstacles facing Jamaica.
“For our country to grow and have true equality, our governing bodies need to have a strong and swift resolve when it comes to exposing and prosecuting corrupt politicians. What strategies will the Government implement to find and expose corrupt politicians? What will be the ramification when they are found out? What steps will be taken to recover any monies that was illegally spent or issued due to corruption?” asked Patience.
Patience was also critical of nepotism and cronyism in the appointment and selection of various people to plum jobs.
“They need to have a strategy to combat crime and violence, measures to improve literacy, and a strategy to address corruption in policing and other sectors,” said Rohan Christian.
Rupert Hanson is concerned about the justice system and crime and violence.
He said that inmates should not be able to do business outside the penitentiary system while serving sentences.
“Justice is justice, and if you do a crime and they find you guilty, you do the time. And I don’t know why a man in prison should be making money, so politicians on both sides have to look into that. It doesn’t make the country any better, it makes the country worse,” he said.