Education | Action | Advocacy
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Women Helping Women
For A Better Future
For more information, contact:
Teri Shaw
Ontario Council Chair, Standing Committee on Advocacy
In this newsletter:
- Education|Advocacy|Action for CFUW Ontario Council
- Elections - Provincial and Municipal
- February 26th OC Speakers Series--CHILDREN, COVID & BEYOND: SOCIAL DETERMINANTS TO EDUCATION
- Take Action from Ontario Council - Child Care
- Flexing our Advocacy Muscles for Women in Politics
- Coming Dates of Importance
- February - Black History Month
- February 22 - Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Canada
- March 8 - International Women's Day
- April 12 - Equal Pay Day
- Notes from Queen's Park - Ontario Government Consultations
- Ontario Council Advocacy Action
- Club Advocacy Action
- Upcoming Club Advocacy Events
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EDUCATION | ADVOCACY | ACTION |
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For CFUW Ontario Council
EDUCATION is –
Lifelong learning through the OC Speaker Series, clubs’ monthly meetings and interest groups, and support to further education with the scholarships provided by clubs.
ADVOCACY is
Tracking and commenting on current issues, pushing for our concerns:
The Care Economy including child care and early learning, long term care, health care.
The Environment with the upcoming Glasgow Climate Change Conference in November, and here in Ontario concerns about environmental assessments.
Education as students returned to schools and universities still facing Covid, online learning and budget cuts. Advocating for a strong, equitable public education system.
Human Trafficking with the adoption of the Ontario Council resolution.
Upcoming elections for both the province and municipalities.
ACTION is
Social action support to women’s shelters, community groups, volunteer organizations, bringing public awareness to issues, running for political office – women helping women and the community
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Election Toolkit from CFUW Ontario Council
Ontario’s election is scheduled for June 2nd. Check out Ontario Council’s Election Toolkit – Part 1 which contains information to help prepare you for the election. Part 2 containing information about issues of concern will be published in late February.
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Click here to view Election Toolkit – Part 1.
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Click here to download a printer-friendly version in Word.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Municipal elections in Ontario will take place on Oct. 24, 2022.
For information about the election, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario has a full page with information on who can vote, who can run, and how local government works in Ontario.
Information about running for municipal office, including online courses, has been updated.
Which government is responsible for what?
With elections coming up it’s important to know which level of government is responsible for what:
Our three levels of government have very different responsibilities and each is indebted to the other either for its existence or for its service to its community. This document gives a short list of who does what.
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OC SPEAKERS SERIES FEBRUARY 26 |
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Registration is now open for OC's third Speakers Series of the 2021-22 year. This session’s topic is Children, COVID and Beyond: The Social Determinants to Education, and the event will take place on Saturday February 26 from 10 a.m. to 12:30p.m. The speakers are Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt, a full Professor at the University of Ottawa, and Mohamed Ahmed and Shanaz Ali, who are from Success Beyond Limits.
Please click here to register
In our society, children spend most of their early years in school. This stage of formative years sets the tone for adolescence, and adulthood. Schools and a child’s peer group play a role in shaping knowledge, behaviour, and mental well being. Covid-19 has impacted the mental health and well being of youth through isolation from peers, teachers, and mentors. Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt, a leading Canadian researcher, will discuss the physical and mental health impacts to children and young people during this unprecedented time.
External social and economic pressures also have a detrimental effect on a student’s success in life. Success Beyond Limits, has addressed the need to enrich students in Jane-Finch to excel in school and beyond, through mentorship. Mohamed Ahmed, the Co-Executive Director of SBL, and Shanaz Ali, the Program Manager of SBL, will discuss this unique, collaborative, youth-led community-based program, assisting students to successfully complete their education and experience future success.
The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session when the speakers will address questions from the audience. We encourage you to submit your questions in advance to Wendy Taylor, Chair of the Education Standing Committee.
The Speakers Series is free but advance registration is required. Please note that the start time indicated on your registration confirmation will be 9:45 a.m. which is when the meeting waiting room will be open. Other than speakers and moderators, attendees will not be admitted to the meeting until a few minutes before 10 a.m. The plenary will be begin at 10 a.m. sharp. The extra 10 to 15 minutes are needed to resolve any technical issues before 10 a.m. Please plan to connect to the meeting a few minutes before 10. All attendees will be admitted to the meeting at about 9:55 a.m.
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TAKE ACTION FROM ONTARIO COUNCIL |
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Sign on to an open letter from both the Ontario Coalition of Better Child Care and the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario asking for:
- Publicly-funded PCR tests for children, families, ECEs and staff, and COVID-19 case reporting in the childcare sector, and
- Financial support to licensed childcare programs for recruitment and retention of qualified staff with 10 permanent paid sick days for mandatory isolation periods
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FLEXING OUR ADVOCACY MUSCLES FOR WOMEN IN POLITICS |
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From Sandra Shaw, Chair, OC Status of Women and Human Rights: In today’s society (Covid issues aside), there is a push for greater equity, diversity, inclusion and justice (EDIJ) in all areas of lives, from clinical trials to lawmaking, from rights to governance. But how can EDIJ gain its proper place when we miss the representation of our myriad community members in our political institutions?
We have two elections coming this year in Ontario – the provincial election (likely June 2nd) and municipal elections (October 24th). It is our opportunity to ensure that those who guide our future reflect the constituents.
Running in an election takes a leap of faith that the playing ground will be fair. But we all know that is not true - some candidates are more equal than others. The white middle class educated male has an easier time stepping up for election and winning and this needs to change. Too many potential leaders do not step forward due to lack of confidence, fear of the process, lack of money or inexperience. And, too many of these potential candidates are women. Read more ...
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February is BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Some firsts:
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Learning Resources
Some suggestions:
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February 22, 2022
CANADIAN NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY
Human and sex trafficking are an Ontario situation, with the 401 being one of the busiest trafficking corridors in Canada. Most of the victims are Canadian and many of them come from Ontario. Organizations like Courage for Freedom and Covenant House are working to help the survivors. Do support your local Rape Crisis and sexual assault centres to continue their work with these populations.
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March 8, 2022
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Calling all Clubs - International Women's Day March 8, 2022!
Ontario Council is interested in hearing of your club's events in recognizing International Women's Day March 8, 2022! We hope to spearhead a concerted publicity campaign on our social media outlets.
Make this a special year in honoring all women!
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APRIL 12 2022
EQUAL PAY DAY
Equal Pay Day draws attention to the gender pay gap – how much women’s work is undervalued and underpaid relative to men’s. But it’s more than that. It is a day to come together and demand real economic security that leaves no one behind. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how crucial women’s paid and unpaid work is to keeping our communities functioning. But the pandemic has also shown that we can do things differently. We need an intersectional feminist economic recovery plan that leaves no one behind. Information about activities for 2022 will be available soon at Ontario Equal Pay Coalition.
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The Ontario Legislature meets again February 22, 2022.
At time of writing, we are still waiting for Ontario to sign onto the federal early learning and child care agreement. (Copied from the December newsletter!)
Rod Phillips, the Minister of Long Term Care has resigned, succeeded by Paul Calandra, the House Leader.
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CURRENT CONSULTATIONS
Pre-Budget Consultations
The Ontario Finance Department is holding consultations concerning the 2022 Budget. Deadline is February 11, 2022. Click here for more information and to take the Government's survey. Ontario Council is preparing a formal submission.
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ONTARIO COUNCIL ADVOCACY ACTION |
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- January 26 - CFUW joins more than 50 organizations asking for more safety features for child care centres
- November 25 - in conjunction with CFUW Kitchener-Waterloo, Oakville and Windsor, sent a submission to the Standing Commission on the Legislative Assembly concerning Bill 37, the Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors and Building More Beds Act
- October 25 - Letter to Honourable Rod Phillips, Minister of Long-Term Care, asking about the new legislation, enforcement of the current one, and the future proclamation of the section concerning administrative penalties
- October 25 - in conjunction with CFUW Kitchener-Waterloo, letter to MPP Kathleen Wynne concerning the loss of Private Member's Bill 172 concerning FASD
- October 25 - Letter to Education Minister Stephen Lecce concerning the proposed federal-provincial Early Learning and Child Care Agreement
- October 17 - Letter to Education Minister Lecce re access to menstrual supplies
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CFUW AURORA/NEWMARKET THE OPIOID CRISIS
Donald MacPherson, the Director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (CDPC) and Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia was the guest speaker for our January Aurora/Newmarket club general meeting; his topic Saving Lives, Responding to the Opioid Crisis in Canada.
Accidental opioid overdose deaths in our country have been of critical concern and exacerbated during implementation of Covid-19 mitigation measures. There was a staggering 74% increase in opioid related deaths in the six month period of April to September 2020. For this important topic we opened our meeting to our broader community as well as CFUW members from other clubs. Donald spoke about the challenges faced by drug users and their families and states that our responses to this crisis have been a public policy disaster.
Changes need to be made now to help prevent future deaths, which are often a result of contaminated drugs and unsafe drug use practices. The solution lies in replacing criminalization of drug use with Public Health guidelines and regulations as well as implementation of supervised consumption sites.
Our club will be writing to our MPs and MPPs to express our concern and ask for immediate action. This is a national crisis and cannot be ignored any longer.
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CFUW BARRIE & DISTRICT DONATE $1175 TO LOCAL FOOD BANK
With food insecurity at an all time high, especially during the Christmas season, CFUW Barrie and District members once again provided generous assistance to Barrie and Alliston Food Banks. Vice President Vi and Treasurer Karen presented a donation to Executive Director Sharon Palmer.
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CFUW SOUTHPORT DONATIONS FROM 31st ANNUAL VIGIL
CFUW Southport held their 31st annual Vigil on December 6th at Coulter Parkette in Port Elgin to raise awareness of gender - based violence.
Donations totaling $2100 were received and CFUW will be sending cheques for $700 to the Kabaeshiwim Women’s Respite, Saugeen First Nation, the Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey in Kincardine and the Women’s Centre Grey and Bruce in Owen Sound.
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CFUW STRATFORD
Climate
On December 11, CFUW Stratford sent a letter to the mayor and City Council urging that current budget negotiations include sufficient resources and personnel to carry out the the Stratford climate action plan, adopted October 25, 2021, during 2022. Members have signed a petition in support of this letter. Read more ...
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A local environmental group is considering whether to launch an industrial, commercial,and institutional (ICI) Waste Reduction Group. The CFUW Stratford Climate Action Group is looking at ways the club might support this initiative by calling on retail and grocery stores as well as shoppers to eliminate use of plastic bags entirely.
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Truth and Reconciliation
The Stratford Indigenous Learning Group is in the midst of planning a partnership with several garden-related groups in Stratford to encourage Three Sisters Planting in a variety of public and private gardens, as a way of celebrating our Indigenous relationships. Our club is currently sourcing corn, pole bean and squash seeds to be distributed in March or April.
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ONTARIO COUNCIL ADVOCACY RESOURCES |
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And check out the new advocacy pages on the OC website:
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Save the Date! February 26th |
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Club Advocacy Events for February & March
February 1 @ 7:30 pm - CFUW Georgetown
To mark Black History Month, an evening with actor & songwriter Rob Green, former Vice-Chair of the Halton Black History Awareness Society.
6 GENERATIONS TO CANADA VIA THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY
February 2 @ 7 pm - CFUW London
Black History Month event, film screening followed by a discussion.
ROSE FORTUNE & THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY IN CANADA
February 9 @ 9 am - CFUW Etobicoke
ZOOM event with award winning author Donna Morrissey; tickets are $30.
8th ANNUAL STOP THE VIOLENCE BREAKFAST
March 1 @ 7:30 pm - CFUW Georgetown
ZOOM Speakers Series with Phyllis Webstad
THE ORANGE SHIRT STORY
March 11 to 13 - CFUW Aurora/Newmarket
CFUW Aurora/Newmarket and the Soroptimists of York Region present LUNAFEST--films by women about women. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.
For all the details go to Club Events on the OC website.
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About CFUW Ontario Council |
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CFUW Ontario Council is committed to:
- The pursuit of knowledge
- The promotion of education
- The improvement of the status of women and girls
- An active participation in public affairs in a spirit of cooperation and friendship.
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