We turned the clocks back an hour on the 6^th and invited early dark nights into our lives.

On November 11, Remembrance Day, we mourn the loss of those who fought in wars, especially during the 20^th century, to preserve our freedom and way of life. “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them”. And, later this month, our neighbours south of the border will celebrate their biggest holiday next to Christmas. Some of us might even celebrate ‘Black Friday’ which marks the traditional start of the holiday shopping season!

And, on Saturday November 26 please register for our second Speaker Series this year presented by our Standing Committee on Legislation. It’s an informative 2-hour session with speakers that will take us beyond “legislation” and delve into the world of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) and Tribunal Watch Ontario (TWO), a public interest organization with a mission to monitor Ontario’s adjudicative tribunal system, advocate for adjudicative independence and promote access to justice. We will discover that Tribunals provide everyday justice in many important areas that affect the lives of many people, more than the courts do. To quote TWO: “Public confidence in the administration of justice requires that tribunals and their adjudicators be treated as judicial bodies, and not like operational agencies or advisory boards. This requires tribunals that are independent and impartial, competent and expert, and also fair, timely, inclusive and accessible.” Ontario’s adjudicative tribunal system has been in a crisis and our guest speakers help us learn why. Registration can be done via this newsletter, or through our website, and it’s free!

Registration is now open for OC’s second Speakers Series of the 2022-23 year. This session will address the question: Is the Administrative justice system working for the people of Ontario? The event will take place on Saturday November 26 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Please click here to register.

Brian Cook is currently appointed as a part-time member of the refugee protection division of the Immigration and Refugee Board and to the Condominium Appeal Tribunal. Brian will introduce the current administrative justice system to the audience. He will explain the components of the system, how it is supposed to work and its impact on the citizens in Ontario. At the conclusion of the session, Brian will introduce some possible resolutions that can improve the system.

Kathy Laird has extensive experience in the administrative justice sector as an adjudicator and mediator at several Ontario tribunals including the Human Rights Tribunal, the Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal and the Child and Family Services Review Board. Kathy will highlight some current problems including big backlogs, digital hearings and lack of experienced adjudicators. She will explain how these issues can adversely affect women.

To learn more and to view detailed bios for both speakers go to Speakers Series & Standing Committees’ Workshops 2022-2023 | CFUW Ontario Council (cfuwontcouncil.org). 

The Speakers Series is free but advance registration is required. Please click here to register.

Our guest speakers–Kendra Mullins (Yoga!), Kelly Taylor (Windreach Farm), and Leah Sheridan (Georgina Pride)–delivered informative and inspiring talks about their involvement in educating and healing. Unfortunately, Vanessa Stoby from Black York Region Youth was unable to attend. A summary of the session is available at October 15, 2022 Speakers Series Report | CFUW Ontario Council (cfuwontcouncil.org). The session was recorded. To request the recording link and password, please contact communications@cfuwontcouncil.org.

Friday November 25th marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and also kicks off the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which runs until December 10, Human Rights Day. The global theme for this year's #16Days campaign is "UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls".

If your Club is planning a #16Days campaign or event, please e-mail the details to communications@cfuwontcouncil.org, so we can post on the OC website and to the OC social media sites. We'll also share as many of your social media posts as we can.

University Women’s Club North York (UWCNY) is hosting this virtual event on the eve of the 33^rd anniversary of the 1989 Montréal Massacre at École Polytechnique and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This event is a 16 Days of Activism fundraiser in support of CFUW 1989 École Polytechnique Commemorative Awards. The CFUW Charitable Trust provides three awards ($19,000 total value) for graduate studies in any field relevant to women.

To donate to the CFUW Charitable Trust, CLICK HERE.

To register for this event, CLICK HERE.

UWC Toronto, in conjunction with CFUW North Toronto, invite you to the annual memorial event to remember the victims of the Montreal Massacre. ADMISSION IS FREE. We would appreciate a voluntary cash donation to the Daily Bread Food Bank. Doors will open at 9:30 am. Kindly reserve your seat by registering at info@uwctoronto.ca.

By Josée Boileau, Translated by Chantal Bilodeau

Published by Second Story Press, publisher for Our Hundred Years - The Canadian Federation of University Women

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Toolkit 

November 25-December 10 marks the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. See the 2022 Toolkit here - with updated topics and resources for clubs. Find a template letter for Club Presidents as well. 

According to a recent UNESCO report, a third of the glaciers in World Heritage sites across the globe will be lost by 2050 owing to climate change. The only way to save the other two-thirds of glaciers in these sites is to rapidly reduce CO₂ emissions and limit the increase in global temperatures to 1.5C^° compared to pre-industrial temperatures. We all have a part to play for the world to achieve this ambitious goal by substantially reducing our consumption of resources and energy.  

Individual donations can be made directly on the Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan website by clicking on the DONATE button, then selecting "DD Library" from the Donate To drop-down menu. Please indicate your CFUW club name in the dedication.

CFUW Belleville and the Afghan Family Support Group are holding a Prince Edward County Air B&B Get Away

Raffle! The funds raised will be used to pay transportation costs to bring an Afghan refugee family to Canada, as well as many other settlement costs. Tickets are $20 and the total value of the package is over $1,500, including a 2-night stay at Closson Cottage. For tickets or info please contact afghanrefugeeraffle@gmail.com. Tickets will be on sale until January. The draw date is January 3, 2023. To learn more about the family and the raffle, please click here.

UWC North York invites you to attend this virtual presentation via ZOOM with Sue Lantz, Founder and Managing Director of Collaborative Aging. You will learn about a holistic approach to planning, arranging and preparing for the life you want to live tomorrow. Register at Meeting Registration - Zoom.

Loneliness and isolation are at an all-time high across our country. The pandemic certainly added to this condition. Thanks to the brilliant idea of CFUW Southport member Pat, two Caring Benches have been installed in Saugeen Shores. One is located in Port Elgin, the other in Southampton. As Pat says, “a bench is a bench is a bench…but a bench with two people sitting on it sharing thoughts and ideas is a ‘Caring Bench’. We want these benches to be worn thin from people sitting on them and having real conversations. The benches are for everyone, young, old, rich, poor, happy, sad, lonely and not so lonely. We have more things in common with one another than we will ever know, unless we take the time to chat”. To read more and see photos, please click here! 

In 2014, Southport's resolution to support democracy was approved at the CFUW AGM. In every election since then, Southport has encouraged residents to vote by reminding them of the struggle for voting rights by women, especially with our campaign, “Grandma asked me to vote!”. In September 2022, as we prepared for the Municipal Election, we discovered that a key event in this support was in jeopardy. The All-Candidates meeting was cancelled by our usual partners, the Chamber of Commerce. At an Executive meeting two days later, we decided to go it alone and the All-Candidates meeting was back on. By the following week, the candidates had agreed to join us and were thrilled that we had pushed through to make it happen. The local cable company agreed to livestream the event and the media promoted the event.

On October 13, the All-Candidates Meeting turned out to be one of the most popular events of that kind ever held in Saugeen Shores. Over 160 residents came out to hear from the candidates and ask the questions that would help their voting process. Local media reported a very successful event HERE.

During the recent municipal elections CFUW Welland & District provided a community information page on their website, entitled Learn More About the Women Candidates. The Club sent a request for submission to each woman candidate running in the District, asking them to share a bit about who they are and what they stand for. The submissions were published on the Club's website, and on the Club's Facebook page.

You can get all the details about upcoming club events on the OC website at Club Events | CFUW Ontario Council (cfuwontcouncil.org).

Because Ontario Council includes close to 50 clubs, we are not always able to publish club meetings, scholarship winners and other charitable giving. However, Club newsletters are published by month on the OC website under Club Actions & Events--to have your Club's newsletters published please e-mail your newsletters and other club news to communications@cfuwontcouncil.org. To help you help us, click the link below for all the information you need about our publication schedule, submission deadlines, and preferred format.