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15 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,F ebruary 10,2022 insidehalton.comwww.shoppersdrugmart.ca 2501 Third Line905-465-3000 478 Dundas Street West905-257-9737NOW OPEN24 HRS EVERY DAY • Patient Counselling • Complete Diabetic Care• Home Visits • Consultations • Free RX Delivery• Free Nutrition Counselling • Vaccinations• Cholesterol, A1C, AFib and DNA Screening lw ys Here toelp You! DE RANGO PHARMACY INC. w 2501 T905-465-3000 • P• H • C AlwaHelp Pharmacist -Fabio De Rango Drug Store/Pharmacy PLATINUM WINNER 2021 Book a tour and enjoy a chef-prepared meal, to-go. Life at Amica Bronte Harbour is once again its wonderful, normal self. Get a haircut. Have a pub night. Share a meal with friends or catch up with loved ones in real life, face-to-face. Experience exceptional care and support in a premium residence with safe social connections that make life easier, and better, for everyone. Right now. 160 B RON T E R D A M IC A .C A / B RON T E H A R B OU R C A L L DI A N N E AT 9 0 5 - 8 4 2 - 8 1 6 7 TODAY THE L I FESTYLEYOU DESERVE. THE SUPPORT YOU NEED. Every February we cele- brate the remarkable achievements and contri- butions of Black Canadians, past and present, who have helped make Canada the prosperous, compassionate and multicultural nation it is today. This year's Black Histo- ry Month theme is Febru- ary and Forever: Celebrat- ing Black history today and every day. While we lift up Black contributions to Can- ada, we must take concrete steps to tear down and dis- mantle systems that perpet- uate systemic racism and inequity, and remove all barriers facing Black entre- preneurs and professionals. For too long, Black en- trepreneurs and business owners have faced systemic barriers to success. To help remove those barriers, our federal government launched the Black Entre- preneurship Program (BEP). The program, a partner- ship between the Govern- ment of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and financial institutions, will invest up to $221 million over four years, to help Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses, in- novate and succeed. Our government also launched the Supporting Black Canadian Initiative, which provides up to $25 million in funding over five years to help Black-led or- ganizations like Black Men- torship Inc. (BMI) serve Black Canadian communi- ties. Local community leader Evangeline Chima, founder and executive director of BMI, is dedicated to the em- powerment of Black profes- sionals in Halton. BMI brings together world-class diverse professionals to connect, empower and mentor Black and BIPOC professionals. I have had the pleasure of working with Evangeline to ensure Black profession- als are supported and en- couraged on the road to suc- cessful entrepreneurship. This month we also rec- ognize Black leaders who have worked for decades to share Black history, cul- ture, music, heritage, and art with our community. For over 40 years, the Ca- nadian Caribbean Associa- tion of Halton (CCAH), founded by Veronica Tyr- rell and now led by Andrew Tyrrell, has promoted unity in diversity, full and active participation, and unbiased inclusion. CCAH truly embodies the theme of celebrating Black history today and ev- ery day. Thank you to local Black-led organizations that work all year to provide opportunities and support for Black Canadians in Hal- ton Region. During Black History Month, while we celebrate Black Canadian successes and excellence, we also commit to fully sup- porting and empowering fu- ture successes. Pam Damoff is the MP for Oakville North-Bur- lington, and the parlia- mentary secretary to the minister of public safety. She can be reached at pam.damoff@parl.gc.ca. CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH OPINION PLENTY OF ACHIEVEMENTS TO RECOGNIZE THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY, WRITES PAM DAMOFF PAM DAMOFF Column