By Frederick Halley
UNLIKE most Guyanese and Caribbean nationals, when 24-year-old Kamta Roy Singh departed his homeland, Guyana, in August 1989 for Canada, he found a home in the Province of Manitoba and not Ontario, as is considered the norm.
However, it wasn’t by accident that Singh ended up in Manitoba, which is approximately two and a half hours’ flight west of Toronto. His grandmother was a resident of that Province, hence it was a pre-planned decision.
Almost 37 years later, Singh, an amazing personality who excels in several facets of life, has weathered the storm by dint of hard work and persuasion to emerge as the proud owner of seven Tim Hortons franchises in his adopted home.
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Pepperpot from his home in Manitoba, Singh gave a fascinating and dramatic insight into his entry into Canada. Having left Guyana with $54 (Canadian), Singh pointed out that he was required to pay $27 (Canadian) at the airport in Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) to confirm his flight to Canada.
On his arrival in Toronto, Singh said his eyes were set on a “shiny” taxi. “Unaware of the system, I joined the cab, only to discover that a taxi fare collector machine was in place. The plan was to spend a few days at my uncle’s home before departing via bus for Manitoba.”
After realising that the total seen on the machine had already exceeded the $27, Singh revealed this to the taxi driver, who, instead of accommodating him, left him high and dry on the 401 Highway, the main thoroughfare leading to almost all other provinces in Canada.
“I was eventually rescued by another taxi driver who took me to my uncle’s home for a cost of $77. My uncle facilitated the overall fare with the additional $50.”
Eager to find a job on his arrival, Singh worked at a 7/11 store for five months while also doing part-time work in between, which included cleaning and working at a community centre.
In December 1989, he began working with Tim Hortons as a baker and quickly emerged as an all-rounder in the company and a great asset for his franchise owner. “I strived to learn everything necessary to help the business prosper and committed all my time and energy to increasing sales and volume, as well as staff morale within the company.”
After a few years working, “I developed an itch to have more and negotiated with the owners to purchase the franchise from them. This was my introduction to Canadian business practice and the corporate world.”
Singh quickly developed and grew his business conglomerate with acquisitions of more franchises all over Winnipeg, Manitoba, and has made them sustainable and profitable. As a minority (person of colour) franchise owner from the 80s to the present time, he has developed, introduced, and initiated several feasible practices and systems that Tim Hortons has adapted into everyday franchisee operations.
Over the years, he has received multiple accolades for his business practices, efforts, and enthusiasm to maintain and grow the needs and activities of Tim Hortons. Corporate has recognised Singh’s achievements and has awarded him more than 15 milestone awards, including the 20- and 25-year Distinguished Franchisee Awards.
As a franchisee, he maintained Tim Hortons’ foundation in engaging in special charity fundraising such as the Smile Cookie, Orange Donuts, and Camp Day, and donated proceeds from product sales to non-profit organisations.
As a Guyanese citizen, cricket runs in your veins, and Singh is a perfect example, as his love of the game has him sleeping, eating, and living for this beloved sport in Canada. As a player for more than thirty-five years with Lions Cricket Club, he has taken on roles as coach, captain, and President, which he has held for the past 25 years, and sponsors all the players’ and teams’ equipment and uniforms through Tim Hortons.
Singh is not only a prominent businessperson; he is also a staunch community member who is involved in several organisations that benefit the entire province, country, and the world. He is an outspoken community advocate and leader, with a long history of volunteerism amongst sporting, religious, and local community organisations.
He held long-standing positions as Vice-President and President with the Guyanese Association of Manitoba for ten years and has actively continued his membership to date. In 2006, the Executive Board and organisation members awarded him the Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Singh also received several awards throughout his presidency for his volunteerism, philanthropy, and efforts for the growth and management of the organisation. His purpose and contributions were to have the organisation be a gateway for everyone to access, regardless of race, creed, colour, or religion, giving them a sense of recognition and respect.
He was very vocal and effective in his support of the arts and in fundraising for the purchasing of India School of Dance, Music, and Theatre Inc. The organisation subsequently recognised his contribution and presented him with a Humanitarian Award.
Throughout the years, his philanthropic ways were rapidly recognised and acknowledged, and in 2013, the Filipino Association of Manitoba awarded him the Businessperson of the Year award for his unwavering commitment to recruiting, employing, and supporting a vast majority of their newcomers and community members.
Prior to migrating from Guyana, Singh, who hails from Vigilance, East Coast Demerara, attended Bladen Hall Multilateral School before starting his working career at the Guyana & Trinidad Mutual (GTM) insurance company at the age of 17.
A lover of cricket, he donned colours for his school and was soon part of the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) First Division Case Cup setup. He also skippered the East Coast team at Bourda in 1989 before departing the same year for Canada.
“I love cricket. I have been playing cricket since I was a kid and I played for Manitoba several times,” Singh said. “It’s a pleasure to work with fellow volunteer coaches. Over the past years, we have seen dozens of youths who went on to represent Manitoba and Canada in cricket tournaments.”
