COMMUNITY SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF TORONTO

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

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Issue # 34, January 2006

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the thirty fourth edition of the electronic newsletter from the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto. At the beginning of each month, this e-bulletin provides news on the activities of the CSPC-T and our partners, as well as access to new research and policy products and networks, in print and web-based forms. We hope it is useful. And we value and welcome your feedback at the email address below.

To subscribe to this bulletin, send us an email with your name, organization, address, and telephone number to cspc@cspc.toronto.on.ca with the message SUBSCRIBE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

If you wish to stop receiving the bulletin, send the message UNSUBSCRIBE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

If you do not have regular access to email and you wish to receive this bulletin, please contact Margaret Hau at (416) 351-0095 x 211, and she will arrange to send it to you by fax. If you want a printable version of this newsletter, please go to: http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/CSPC-T%20Newsletters/newsletters.htm

Please note the deadline to submit information for the next e-Newsletter is January 24, 2006.

CONTENTS

1. News from the Council

2. Upcoming Events

· Special Note - January 11 Candidates Meeting on Community Sector Issues!

3. News from our Partners

4. Conferences and Calls for Papers

5. Information Resources

5.1 New Reports and Publications

5.2 Websites of Interest

6. Contact Us

1. NEWS FROM THE COUNCIL

Seasons Greetings!

The Council extends best wishes for the holiday season and the new year to our friends, partners, supporters and subscribers. The CSPC-T office will be closed from December 23 2005, until January 3, 2006.

Welcome New Student!

CSPC-T is pleased to welcome Ermelina Balla, a student in the Public Administration Postgraduate Program at Humber College. She started her placement at the Council on Monday, December 12 and will be with us for 8 weeks. Ermelina will be working with Researcher André Lyn. Her main activity will be on a new project André will be working on called Kids & Community, which will get started in January. Welcome Ermelina!

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CSPC-T- York Office Relocated!

On November 14, 2005 six community groups, listed below, relocated to:

1652 Keele Street (between Eglinton Avenue and Rogers Road)

§ Community Action Resource Centre –York Office

§ Community Social Planning Council of Toronto – York Office

§ For Youth Initiative

§ Somali Immigrant Aid Organisation – Satellite Office

§ Somali Immigrant Womens Association – York Office

§ York Hispanic Centre

Some of these agencies were in our former location at 2696 Eglinton Ave West since 1989. We have one new community group, the Women’s Abuse Council that has now moved in with us making 7 community groups in one location.

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CSPC-T- York Office

Our Words in Action Forum

This community forum was held in the former city of York on Wednesday, December 14, 2005. Over 150 community members, local youth, social service providers and elected officials joined together in the cafeteria of York Memorial Collegiate to discuss strategies and solutions to address the issue of violence in the community. The recommendations that were put forward are now being collated.

A thought provoking "youth issue focused" documentary created by For Youth Initiative (FYI) was screened for the first time. In the film, youth shared their concerns about the lack of community recreation centre and the destructive impact this has on their lives.

Mayor David Miller was in attendance and engaged in a forthright discussion with the local youth about the lack of a recreation centre, their challenging relations with the police and the justice system. The Mayor advised the meeting that money is in the budget to build the recreation centre and committed Parks and Recreation to a meeting on January 27th to get community, and in particular youth input on the types of programs and services for the proposed recreation centre.

A meeting of the forum planning committee is scheduled for January 13, 2006. For further information please contact Yasmin Khan of the Community Social Planning Council at 416-652-9772

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2. UPCOMING EVENTS

Who will step up for Toronto’s Communities?

An Election Forum on issues of concern to Toronto’s community sector

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

Metro-Central YMCA Auditorium

20 Grosvenor Street, 2^nd Floor, Toronto

The community non-profit sector in Toronto is comprised of over 2000 organizations and agencies. It is important because of the wide range of services it provides to residents of Toronto. It is also an important sector of our economy, representing over 8% of Canada’s GDP – more than auto manufacturing!

Federal government decisions on a number of issues (Community-based employment and training programs, child care, settlement, and the “new deal” for cities) have a dramatic impact on community organizations in Toronto.

Where do the Federal parties stand on issues of concern to the sector? Privatization, funding, and competition within the community sector, charitable tax deductions, as well as broader social policy issues are of concern to board members, staff, volunteers, and users of community organizations across Toronto. The Community Social Planning Council of Toronto, in collaboration with a wide range of community organizations, has invited the four main parties to designate a candidate as their spokesperson on our issues in Toronto. Where do the Liberals, New Democrats, Conservatives, and Greens stand on the issues of concern to our community organizations?

Liberal Party – Maria Minna, MP (Chair, Liberal Social Policy Committee, Chair, Women’s Caucus)

New Democratic Party – Marilyn Churley (Former MPP, Riverdale)

Conservative Party – to be confirmed

Green Party – to be confirmed

Moderator – Tam Goossen (President, CSPC-T, Past President Urban Alliance on Race Relations)

The YMCA Auditorium is located on the second floor at 20 Grosvenor Street, two blocks north of the College Subway Station. The location is wheelchair accessible, and the meeting will be signed for the hearing impaired. For more information about the event, or if you have questions you wish to submit for the meeting, please email cspc@cspc.toronto.on.ca or call the Community Social Planning Council at 416-351-0095. Our thanks to the YMCA of Greater Toronto for donating the space for this event.

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The Canadian Hearing Society

Federal Elections Fully Accessible Candidates Meetings

The Canadian Hearing Society spearheads groundbreaking initiative in Federal Election – Ontario ridings to participate in first-ever fully accessible Candidates meetings

For the first time in a federal election, All-Candidates Meetings accessible to people with disabilities, including hearing loss, are being held in five Ontario ridings. The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS), Canada’s largest agency serving people who are deaf, deafened and hard of hearing, has invited candidates in the ridings of St. Paul’s (Toronto), Ottawa South, Newmarket-Aurora, Hamilton Centre, and Sault Ste. Marie to address their constituents with the provision of sign language interpreting, real-time captioning/computerized notetaking, deaf-blind intervening services, and attendant services.

To ensure accessibility for all people with disabilities, CHS has partnered with The Canadian National Institute for the Blind for intervening services for deaf-blind voters and the Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario, the Disabled Persons Resources Centre and Ontario March of Dimes for attendant services for people with physical disabilities.

In Toronto, this meeting is being held for the riding of Toronto St Paul’s, on Wednesday, January 11, from 7-9 PM, at the Canadian Hearing Society, 271 Spadina Road. The four candidates participating are: Carolyn Bennett (Liberal), Kevin Farmer (Green), Peter Kent (Conservative) and Paul Summerville (NDP).

For further information, please contact:

St. Paul’s (Toronto)/Newmarket-Aurora/Hamilton Centre

Contact: Adrienne Clarke

Publicist

(416) 778-0658

adrienne.clarke@sympatico.ca

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Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care

FEDERAL ELECTION 2006: All Candidates Debate on Children’s Issues

The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care; The Toronto Coalition for Better Child Care; the AECEO – Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario, and Campaign 2000 is hosting an All Candidates Debate on Children’s Issues on:

Thursday January 12, 2006

7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Toronto, Council Chambers – second floor

This debate will focus on important Children’s Issues and will give people an opportunity to hear where the politicians stand on issues of child care, children’s poverty, housing etc. to inform their decision on Election Day on January 23, 2006.

More information on this debate will be available in Early January

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Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

Community Information Forum - The Role of Spirituality in the Treatment of Mental Health and/or Addiction Problems

Trust, faith and hope are essential elements of recovery from mental health and addictions problems. This forum will explore the role spirituality and religion plays in the healing process from multiple perspectives: religious, cultural and spiritual healing traditions.

When: Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Most Community Information Forums take place at the Russell Street site of CAMH,

between 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., 33 Russell Street (northeast corner of College and Spadina in

Toronto) in the Meeting Centre (room 2029, second floor). Admission is free. No

registration is required. Seating is on a first-come basis.

Please note that locations and dates of forums may change at short notice. Confirm that a forum is taking place by checking the following website: http://www.camh.net/education/comm_info_forums.html or call 416-535-8501 ext 4553 and listen to the outgoing message.

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Expanding Access to Justice for Immigrant and Refugee Women and for Women with Disabilities/Deaf Women

Legal Issues Training

Working closely with two Provincial Advisory Committees, METRAC (Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children) has begun to plan a series of trainings on legal issues for women experiencing violence, for those working with Immigrant and Refugee Women and for those working with Women with Disabilities and Deaf Women (WWD/DW).

Trainings are planned to take place as follows:

Windsor/London:

· January 10th: One-day training in Windsor with the Immigrant/Refugee sector

· January 11th-12th: Two-day training in London with WWD/DW sector.

Sudbury:

· February 14th and 15th: Two-day training with WWD/DW.

Ottawa:

· March 8th: One-day training with the Immigrant/Refugee sector.

For more information, contact Ginny Santos at: 416-392-3138, email: cleric@metrac.org. or visit: http://actew.aa.metastrategies.com/actew/actew/news.shtml?x=29738

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Working Women Community Centre

Fundraiser

The Working Women Community Centre is hosting a Fundraising Winemaker’s Dinner in support of the Children’s Tutoring Program, “On Your Mark.” Come and enjoy the exquisite cuisine of Cataplana Restaurant paired with the world renowned wines of Portugal.

Friday January 27, 2005

Cataplana Restaurant, 938 College Street

Reception 7 p.m., Dinner 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $150.00

Seating is limited. For further information and to confirm attendance, please call Marcie Ponte at 416-532-2824 ext. 42

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Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA)

2006 Harry Jerome Awards Call for Nominations

The BBPA is inviting nominations for the 2006 Harry Jerome Awards. This year BBPA is opening the nominations process with a new award category called the Young Entrepreneur Award for persons 16 to 35 years old. Nominations for all categories close Friday February 10, 2006 at 4:00 p.m.

The nomination form and details is available on the BBPA website at: http://www.bbpa.org or you may request forms from the BBPA office by calling

416-504-4097

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Community Development and Partnerships Directorate, Government of Canada

Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award

The Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award honours the memory of Thérèse Casgrainand acknowledges the contributions Canadian volunteers make to society. It is presented annually to one Canadian man and one Canadian woman whose pioneering spirit, social commitment and lifelong voluntary efforts have contributed significantly to the advancement of a social cause and to the well-being of their fellow Canadians.

Nominations for the 2006 Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award are due before Wednesday, February 1, 2006.

Nomination brochures and information about the Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer
Award can be found at http://www.sdc.gc.ca/

Questions or comments should be directed to the Award Secretariat at 1-866-468-4377 or by e-mail to theresecasgrain-info@sdc-dsc.gc.ca

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Schizophrenia Society of Ontario, Toronto Region

Strengthening Families Together Education Program

This 10-session education program is for family members and friends of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who are in a caregiver role. Its goal is to provide up-to-date Canadian based information on the topics associated with living daily with a mental illness.

A new session of this course will commence March 1 and will run every Wednesday evening until May 3. This course is free to all and materials will be supplied. Location is to be announced.

Please contact the Toronto Regional office at (416) 449-6830 ext. 250 to receive a registration form or to receive additional information about the program.

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3. NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

Laidlaw Foundation

Social Inclusion: Canadian Perspectives -- Hot Off the Presses!

The Laidlaw Foundation has recently released an engaging collection of essays on social inclusion in Canada. Edited by Laidlaw Foundation's Ted Richmond and Ryerson University's Anver Saloojee, "Social Inclusion: Canadian Perspectives" explores the multiple meanings of social inclusion as it relates to a broad range of policy issues and diverse communities and groups in Canada. The editors consider the evolution of social inclusion concepts as it applies to policy development in Canada today. Essay
contributors critique the concept and utility of social inclusion in the Canadian context, taking into account historical and contemporary perspectives.

The collection of essays focuses on poverty and inequality, early childhood education and care, feminist perspectives on children's well-being, rights and equality as experienced by youth with disabilities, the child rights agenda, immigrant settlement, anti-racism and democratic citizenship, urban Aboriginal peoples, and the dangers of the social inclusion dogma.

The book boasts an impressive list of contributors including: Michael Bach (Canadian Association of Community Living), Catherine Frazee (Ryerson RBC Institute for Disability Studies Research and Education), Martha Friendly (Childcare Resource and Research Unit at the University of Toronto), Donna Lero (Centre for Families, Work and Well-Being at the University of Guelph), Meg Luxton (York University), Andrew Mitchell (Social Assistance in the New Economy Project at the University of Toronto), National Association of Friendship Centres, Ratna Omidvar (Maytree Foundation), Uzma Shakir (Council of Agencies Serving South Asians) and Richard Shillington.

Get your copy today by ordering online at: www.rabble.ca/bookstore/ or by calling Fernwood Books at (705) 743-8990

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Fair Vote Canada (FVC)

Campaign and Petition Drive

FVC members and supporters are campaigning across the country to keep the demand for electoral reform in front of politicians, the media and public throughout the election.

Even those with very limited time can help – e.g., by passing around the FVC petition to your friends and co-workers; distributing FVC campaign flyers at your workplace, book group, community centre; or writing just one letter to the editor in the next six weeks.

Other ways of helping include: asking questions at an all-candidate meeting, calling radio or TV phone-in shows, placing newsletter and newspaper articles prepared by FVC, and/or making an extra campaign donation to FVC.

If you can help or for more information, contact www.fairvote.ca

or e-mail info@fairvotecanada.org

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Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS)

Election Kit

IMPACS has recently launched an election kit to raise awareness of the charities and organizations project. This kit is a perfect opportunity for charities and non-profit organizations to ask candidates about what they are going to do about the 10% rule (the rule that restricts charities from fully contributing to public policy development in Canada).

The kit includes:

-Overview of election activities: what charities can/can’t do during an election campaign

-Tips on addressing all candidates during public meetings/debates

-Talking points for questioning candidates on Charities and Democracy

- A briefing note to leave behind with each candidate.

-A feedback form

For more information on the kit, and to download it, visit the IMPACS website at:

http://www.impacs.org/charities/electionkit

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Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW)

Youth-Ability in Skilled Trades (YAST) Program

The CCRW with Service Canada has recently launched Youth-Ability in Skilled Trades (YAST) a work experience program for post-secondary graduates with disabilities. This is a 24-week program that promotes career opportunities for persons with disabilities by providing skill development enabling them to successfully secure employment in their chosen field. This innovative youth-centred project targets 28 youth with disabilities (15-30 years of age) who are recent post secondary graduates. They will be employed and will work out of 6 provincial CCRW offices across Canada.

The Program Coordinator and Researcher positions will be advertised among the students and alumni with disabilities in college/university. Youth with disabilities who are interested in the YAST are encouraged to visit: www.workink.com for complete details and job postings.

For additional information or inquiries, please contact: Norma Ricker at nricker@ccrw.org

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Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD)

Voluntary Sector Awareness Project

The Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD) is one of eight national organizations that have come together to launch a new project intended to raise awareness about the Canadian Voluntary Sector. The Voluntary Sector Awareness Project (funded by Social Development Canada and lead by Imagine Canada) is one of the last "deliverables" of the Voluntary Sector Initiative. The purpose of the project is to develop and launch a public awareness campaign in the summer of 2006 to be delivered by the sector using communications tools and resources provided by the project. The campaign will be directed inside the sector and out toward the public and will be informed by a series of Community Conversations to be held across the country in the fall of 2005.

For more information on the Voluntary Sector Awareness Project, visit the CCSD website at: http://www.ccsd.ca/pubs/2003/fm/natini.htm

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Campaign 2000

White Armband Campaign

Campaign 2000 has partnered with the Make Poverty History campaign to raise public awareness of issues of poverty here in Canada and around the world.

Make Poverty History is a global initiative involving participants from more than 50 countries.

This year, with the encouragement of Campaign 2000, Make Poverty History has added End child poverty in Canada to the list.

The Make Poverty History campaign recently launched a white armband campaign to keep poverty issues top of mind with the public. July 1 was International White Band day. A simple White Band is the symbol of the Make Poverty History campaign. Wearing the band demonstrates to everyone who sees it that you believe it is unacceptable for over one million children to live in poverty in a wealthy country like Canada.

To order your white armband for C$2.00 each, contact Liyu Guo at: liyugu@fsatoronto.com or visit the Make Poverty History website or the Campaign 2000 website.

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4. CONFERENCES AND CALLS FOR PAPERS

Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse

Moving Upstream Together Conference

Feb. 21-22, 2006 at 89 Chestnut Street, University of Toronto

Moving Upstream Together is a unique, bilingual working conference to celebrate the 20th anniversaries of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and the Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse. In this conference, you can listen to provocative and exciting speakers; celebrate and learn from innovative actions and successful partnerships that have improved societal health; meet new people and network with friends; help identify the changes Ontario needs to create strong social and policy commitments for prevention and health promoting initiatives.

Make a date if your work is related to:

· Health promotion, social services, child development, community or public
health, poverty, housing, disease prevention, inclusion, policy, research, social advocacy

· You're interested in real and lasting social change

· You want to break down silos and be effective with other sectors

· You'd like to hear success stories about innovative programs and policy
enhancement

· You want to move upstream to create health and prevent social problems before they happen

The deadline to register is Tuesday, February 14, 2006. Space is limited.

For more conference information visit:

http://www.opc.on.ca/english/about_us/upstream/index.htm

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Aboriginal Policy Research Conference

Ottawa, March 20 - 23, 2006

In March 2006, INAC and UWO, having joined hands with the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC), will once again bring influential researchers, policy makers, leaders, and academics together for the 2006 Aboriginal Policy Research Conference. The coming Aboriginal Policy Research Conference will engage Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers and policy makers in the pursuit of better, more appropriate research, evidence-based policy and policy outcome assessment. The last conference had an unprecedented 600 delegates. This APRC could reach 1000 delegates from across Canada and world-wide.

More information visit: http://www.ssc.uwo.ca/sociology/aprc-crmpa/

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5. INFORMATION RESOURCES

5.1 New Reports and Publications

Street Health

Research Bulletin on Homeless People’s Health and Access to Health Care

Recently Street Health released the Fall 2005 Street Health Research Bulletin, based on a research study led by Dr. Stephen Hwang at the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St. Michael’s Hospital. The Research Bulletin highlights some key findings on the health status and access to health care for homeless people in Toronto

The bulletin also points out that homelessness and poverty are key barriers to accessing health care, and that improved social programs and policies are needed to ensure access to adequate housing and incomes.

The complete Street Health Research Bulletin is available at: http://www.streethealth.ca/images/ResearchBulletin1005.pdf

For more information or to request paper copies of the Research Bulletin contact: Erika Khandor at: erika@streethealth.ca

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Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN)

Without a Roadmap: Government Funding and Regulation of Canada’s Universities and Colleges

In this paper from CPRN, author Ken Snowden, President of Snowdon and Associates, argues that argues that the story of higher education since the early 1990s is heavily influenced by three key factors: changes in federal funding; changing demographics; and a liking among some governments for neo-liberal market-based solutions. Snowdon explores the impact of government funding mechanisms and regulation on the post-secondary sector against that backdrop and finds the situation less than ideal.

To access or download a copy, visit: http://www.cprn.org/en/doc.cfm?doc=1355

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Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Public Solutions to Health Care Waitlists

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has recently released a study that shows that there are public sector solutions to Canada’s wait list problems. The study finds that private for-profit clinics actually tend to make things worse. In the study, author Dr. Michael Rachlis argues that, instead of going down the private for-profit road, Canadians should choose public sector solutions. This study highlights two innovative approaches:

1. establish more specialized public short-stay surgical centres; and

2. adopt modern methods of queue management from other sectors

For the complete report visit:

http://www.policyalternatives.ca/Reports/2005/12/HealthCareWaitlists/index.cfm?pa=A2286B2A

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The Daily, Statistics Canada

Non-profit institutions and volunteering: Economic Contribution

Economic activity in the non-profit sector, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), recorded solid growth during the late 1990s and early 2000s, according to data on the economic contribution of non-profit institutions and volunteering.

Between 1997 and 2001, GDP for the core non-profit sector increased at an annual average rate of 7.1%, slightly faster than the average of 6.1% for the economy as a whole. At the same time, economic activity generated by hospitals, universities and colleges grew at a slower pace of 5.4%.

To access this report visit: http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/051212/d051212b.htm

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