For the first time in the history of Toronto’s largest newspaper, The Toronto Star, Dominica was featured on the front page in both its print and online editions.
The island was among other islands featured as part of the newspaper’s PanAm Games coverage.
Below is the article entitled “Dominica: It’s a village.”
There’s so much to love in Dominica, the place Oshawa resident Frances Delsol will always call “home” in her heart.
There’s Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO heritage site, more than 1,200 plant species in the country’s lush rainforests, and the purple Sisserou bird, which is found only on this island. Delsol says the island is full of colour, from its wildlife to locals’ costumes, and calls it “a place where Jurassic Park meets Disneyworld.”
“It’s so relaxed,” says Delsol, who is the Trade and Investment Commissioner for Dominica in Canada. “You’re never short of fruits and vegetables, and people talking to you – everybody is so friendly. It’s a village, it really is.”
Delsol, 57, decided to move to Canada in 1978. “I absolutely fell in love with the country,” she said, adding it gave her a chance to grow and gain an education.
Living in the GTA now, she’s excited for her home country’s team to be competing and says sprinters will be ones to watch. “We believe our runners will give the other people participating a run for their money – no pun intended,” she says with a laugh.
The article was accompanied by a photo of Dominican, Angela Charles, in a Wob Dwiyet at a Mother’s Day function organized by the Commonwealth of Dominica Ontario Association in Toronto.
The Toronto Star is a daily newspaper and is among the top 25 newspapers in Canada.
The XVII Pan American Games is scheduled to be held from July 10–26, 2015, in Toronto.
yes fruits and vegetable but u have to go at savealot to get them
Although there’s a lot of positivity in this article that I appreciate, I honestly don’t like the ‘it’s a village’ part of the headline/quote. This makes us seem smaller and more primitive, by connotation of the word ‘village,’ than we are, and it also creates the false exoticist assumption that the whole island is united, as if there are no diverse or isolated communities in the island, which is not true.
But better this than no press.
Now, if only we could be more LGBT-friendly and have better shopping/vending/bus services available on the Bay Front for cruise tourists and better sidewalks in Roseau, we could truly be a great tourist destination. Good press is good, but there is of course more to do to capitalise on it.
Dominicans living in Canada have always been a positive group of people who never forget where they come from.
Keep up the good work! Continue to spread the good name of our lovely island.
Today someone told me that it was supposed to be in the papers of May 16th, disappointingly it was not. We said we will inquire about it.
Some papers have early edition and also late edition. What is the date on this one?
Considering that The Toronto Star is a prejudice newspaper, they (the reporters and journalists) take people to the cleaners. If they do not like someone or a politician and do not support them, woe to them. The write-up will not be complimentary.
The Toronto Star probably has new staff and reporters. This is one way of drumming up sales. Sales on newspapers have dwindled due to the Internet. There are also a few free newspapers which are smaller and which Torontonians prefer to read. They also view/hear the news on TV and Radio. It is the identical situation throughout Canada.
Toronto Star is a huge newspaper. It could take hours to read through and through. I once subscribed to it but no time to read it. I canceled it.
Ahh , just wonderful ; keep up the good work ladies and the rest of your crew . We are rejoicing with you .
Dominica is a village – my! my!
Dominica is a village indeed. This was not meant to be in size but how friendly and the oneness of our people. please don’t take this as it sounds
Dominique moi la ou doux ple doux ki syro et moi emmaye
Go, Dominica, go. Greetings to the Dominican folks in Canada. Keep the love and culture alive
That is good to read about our Dominica, it makes me proud to belong to her
And while speaking about belonging to her; I have to stress that while her Natural attractions, which makes her stand tall and well admired–our people of Dominica it is our responsibility to keep our country with such good name–as she is gradually entering in the world’s society.
This means that our attitude and conduct on a day to day basis has to remain just as in tact. I perceive our Dominica’s Landscape to be like the Garden of Eden; God walks her mountain, as He watches us, her people, down below–let us not continue to be like Adam and Eve, remember that we cannot hide from God–don’t even think about it.
I pray that God will continue to bless us, we who are His God fearing people in Dominica. Thanks to You dear God for Your Grace in Love–for without this Grace we cannot be. In Jesus name Amen!
So very well put. I couldn’t agree more. The most beautiful in the Caribbean tied, I think, with Jamaica
What kind of publicity is this – “Dominica: Its a Village”. Were they referring to Grandbay? Dominicans across the GTA in Scarborough, Brampton, Mississagua, North York etc. must put the record straight.
Rob my man take it easy. They are not trying to denigrate Dominica. You have to put things into context. If you have travelled widely you’ll come to a similar conclusion about Dominica. It’s a very very beautiful but in the scheme of things a rural little paradise. Nuf said!
For one, you are not Rob Ford. Why did you use his name? The man is recovering from an abdomen tumor operation. I hope you prayed for his recovery.
Many Dominicans reside in nearly every part of Ontario, in Canada for that matter. I suppose the reason it was stated, “It’s a village” is that in villages in Dominica people are friendlier than those in Roseau. Do you agree with me here? No insult was intended to use the word “village”.
Don’t be such a kill – joy! I bet you have never lent a helping hand but rather choose to hide behind the anonymity of social media to use your poison pen to spread dissent.
GO GET EDUCATED OR AT THE VERY LEAST, BE INSPIRED.
I agree with Rob. It’s sad that the commenters below, like so many on DNO, are obsessed with not being negative. Sometimes you need to criticise something because there is a legitimate reason to criticise it. To fail to see the potential problems with labelling us a ‘village’ is to be tone-deaf to how words come across. Sure, there is good in the article overall, but they could have chosen a much better title and quote to point towards us.
Thank God for Skerrit for making our country proud. Dominica is now on the world map for all the good reasons VIVA SKERRO
That is the problem with some Dominicans they do not give themselves credit for helping to improve the Island instead they make stupid statement like this, Dominica was on the world map before Skerrit came around and will be there after he’s gone, so think before you write and post next time.
Land of my birth being exposed.. I love it
Great news!! Not surprised that there aren’t much comments on this though since it isn’t negative news or government bashing. Shame on us as a people!!!
Nice…good exposure for our beautiful country Dominica
The Commonwealth of Dominica & Ontario Association is always making sure that our beautiful Island is always in the news and this is no exception I’m so proud to see teacher Angela in her Wob Dwiyet at a mothers day celebration, congratulation to the organizers well done.
Really but I got the Toronto star and I can’t find it on there
Which issue did you look at? it’s on the Sunday Star Go look before you comment.
“Living in the GTA now,” chhhhhh
amazing good vybz