Toronto Caribbean Newspaper

Workers who trust their bosses adapt to AI better Fear of being replaced by AI is eroding workplace performance from the inside. A University of Leicester study of over 16,000 employees found that workers who trust their managers stay committed even as AI reshapes their roles, while those who don't are more likely to disengage. That means being upfront about which roles are at risk, offering real retraining paths rather than vague reassurances, and avoiding corporate euphemisms like "lower-value human capital," the Economist reports.

Unemployment rate falls to 6.5% in June as employers add 18,000 jobs Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate ticked lower to 6.5 per cent in June as the economy added 18,000 jobs.

Caribbean Airlines is showcasing its portfolio of passenger, cargo and business solutions at the 2026 Trade and Investment Convention (TIC), reinforcing its role as a key enabler of regional connectivity, trade and economic development. From July 9 - 11, visitors to Booths 240 - 241 at the TIC, Centre of Excellence, Macoya, venue have the opportunity to engage directly with Caribbean Airlines team members and discover the wide range of products and services available to both leisure and corporate customers. Representatives from the airline's Marketing, Cargo, Jetpak, Duty Free and Loyalty teams will be on hand to provide information on Caribbean Airlines' regional and international network, Business Class offering, Caribbean Miles and Caribbean Club loyalty programmes, dedicated freighter operations and Jetpak courier services. Visitors can also learn more about the wide selection of products available at the Caribbean Airlines Duty Free Store at Piarco International Airport Acting Chief Executive Officer Varma Khillawan stated, "At Caribbean Airlines we connect businesses with markets, families with loved ones and the Caribbean with the wider world. Our participation in TIC reflects our commitment to supporting regional commerce and creating opportunities for business growth. We look forward to meeting with customers, entrepreneurs and industry partners to showcase the many ways Caribbean Airlines can support their travel and logistics needs." Hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA), TIC is the Caribbean's largest and longest-running multi-sector trade exhibition, bringing together manufacturers, exporters, service providers, investors and buyers from across the Caribbean and international markets. The airline's presence at TIC underscores its commitment to supporting trade, tourism and sustainable economic development across the region. Visitors are encouraged to stop by Booths 240 - 241 throughout the convention to meet the Caribbean Airlines team, explore the airline's latest offerings and discover how its travel, loyalty and logistics solutions can support both personal and business needs. Caribbean Airlines Ltd

A completed bridge linking Windsor, Ont. and Detroit is expected to open by the end of the month after U.S. and Canadian officials reached an agreement to resolve the dispute that delayed its debut, according to two people directly involved in the negotiations.

Talk about pooling resources: The Airbnb of swimming pools   Sneaking into the neighbors' pool when they're away is a rite of passage for suburban kids. But they shouldn't have all the fun.   Swimply, described as the "Airbnb of pools," lets people rent out their swimming pools by the hour, per Business Insider.   The app offers neighbors the opportunity to cool off on a hot day — something we could all use these days — while helping owners offset the cost of maintaining a pool.   The company is also part of a growing trend of the Airbnb-ification of your entire life, where nearly everything is rentable.   Dive into the sharing economy   Founded in 2018, Swimply made a splash in recent years with several rounds of funding — notably after sinking on Shark Tank in 2020 without a deal. (Who wants a shark in the pool anyway?) The startup has since grown and recently received $10m in funding. Listings now include 15k pools in 125 cities across the US, Canada, and Australia. Rates range from humble $30-$80/hour offerings to more luxe listings in the $200-$400/hour range. Some owners charge for added perks like barbecue packages. Considering in-ground pools average $65k to build and $3k-$6k annually to maintain, it's a good way to recoup on that investment.   Swimply has also since expanded to other rentable amenities, including hot tubs and saunas; tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts; mansions for parties; and pet-friendly yards. It's also exploring offerings like music studios.   The Airbnb-ification of life   We're now accustomed to riding in a stranger's car and staying at someone's home for vacation, so swimming in another person's pool feels like a natural progression of the sharing economy — though admittedly an intimate one.   We can also expect to see more sharing in the future: the sharing economy is expected to grow from $244.8B in 2025 to $752.8B in 2030.   These days, peer-to-peer renting includes parking and storage, unused classrooms, RVs, clothing, and backyards for your dog. Heck, you can even rent a friend or attend a stranger's wedding.   Airbnb-ification does have its drawbacks, including climbing prices, disruption of housing markets, and the distortion of community-centered origins.   But as temps soar this summer, you might just find me in the neighbor's pool.  

Fragrance clubs are the new book clubs   Our five senses are the bridges that allow us to connect with each other. We do this by listening to music and watching sunsets together, hugging, sharing meals, etc.   Our sense of smell, however, despite being deeply tied to emotion and memory, has long been overlooked as a vehicle for social connection.   Now, fragrance clubs are changing that, turning what’s long been treated as a solo experience into a collective one.   Something’s in the air   They’ve been popping up everywhere from LA to Berlin to Shanghai, and take many forms: from casual blind-sniff meetups to organized tours, workshops, and fragrance swaps, or a little bit of everything. LA-based Reverie of Scent, founded in 2025, hosts picnic-esque BYO-perfume gatherings once a month, where “fragheads” discuss and swap scents, per The Los Angeles Times. Brooklyn-based fragrance brand Creature hosts ticketed “scent salons,” where raw materials from its all-natural perfumes are paired with natural wines. Ffern, a viral $129 subscription service with a 500k-person waitlist, is planning to introduce overnight events to showcase how its small-batch scents are made. Meanwhile, on college campuses, student-led fragrance clubs are getting academic with it, hosting workshops on the science behind perfumery, and infusing school spirit into custom-made scents. Smells like community   Behind the trend are two things: a booming fragrance industry — perfume is the fastest-growing sector of the beauty industry, largely driven by smell-maxxing Gen Zers — and a lot of lonely people seeking in-person socialization.   Scent clubs address both, offering community and connection around a shared interest in a more laid-back, intentional way compared to usual nightlife activities. They’re similar to wine or book clubs, but with a lower barrier to entry (e.g., no assumed knowledge or required reading, and occasionally no cost), making them more welcoming of casual hobbyists and novices. Plus, the emphasis is typically on how a scent makes the smeller feel, not on how well they can identify its ingredients, which can produce more meaningful conversations about memory and taste, versus those centered around terroir or other insider jargon. Not everyone can talk about soil composition or literary analysis for hours, but everyone’s got personal stories to share — which probably make for better conversations, anyway.

A full-circle moment for SickKids Patient Ambassador Cali at Toronto Caribbean Carnival On Sunday, July 19, 2026, Cali will participate in Junior Carnival as a SickKids Patient Ambassador for the first time. Her participation is supported through Black Experience @ SickKids, an initiative dedicated to advancing Black health, strengthening community connections, and improving outcomes for Black children and families. Carnival has long been an important part of her family's cultural heritage, making this a meaningful full-circle moment. Thanks to the support of the Bake N’ Friends section of the Carnival Nationz mas band, who donated her costume, Cali will be able to celebrate her Jamaican heritage, walk the parade with pride, and participate alongside her community and supportive family. Through her participation, Cali hopes to inspire others with her vibrant spirit, resilience, and love for her community. About 6-year-old Cali Cali’s SickKids journey began when she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after birth. Her genetic makeup includes one of the most common CF genes, F508del, and a gene that was extremely rare at the time of her diagnosis. Cali was one of very few patients worldwide known to carry this exact gene combination. Cali has faced her health journey with remarkable resilience, positivity, and determination.  Supported by her family and care team at SickKids, Cali embraces life with enthusiasm, whether she’s participating in sports and activities, spending time with loved ones, or inspiring others through her courage.

Wah Gwaan! Toronto has one of the largest Jamaican communities outside of Jamaica, yet the city has never had a festival dedicated to celebrating reggae sound system culture... until now. Reggae on the Beach celebrates this rich legacy while introducing a new generation in a free, family-friendly festival for everyone.  REGGAE ON THE BEACH Sunday, July 19th 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM  Woodbine Park, Toronto Experience a full day of incredible performances featuring:  The Human Rights  Kairo McLean  Bless Up Sound System Selectas featuring Nkrumah   DJ Chopa Chop  Pressure Drop DJs DJ Jay NuFunk with MC SunRay & ISax Feel the bass from a massive 15,000 watt reggae sound system, soak up the summer sunshine, dance with friends and family, and celebrate the music that has helped shape Toronto's cultural identity. Whether you're a lifelong reggae fan or discovering sound system culture for the first time, this is your invitation to experience one of the city's most authentic summer celebrations.  Admission is FREE, but RSVP today to reserve your spot! One Love, Jay  NuFunk & The Reggae on the Beach Team