COMMUNITY SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF TORONTO

 

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Issue # 44, November 2006

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Welcome to the forty-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.  We value and welcome your feedback at the email address below.

 

To subscribe to this bulletin, send 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/Newsletter%202006.htm

 

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

 

CONTENTS

 

1.               News from the Council

2.               Upcoming Events

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

 

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1.  NEWS FROM THE COUNCIL

 

CSPC-T Strategic Planning Process Community Consultation – November 18!

 

The Board of the Community Social Planning Council is engaged in a strategic planning exercise to determine our direction for the coming three years.  This is YOUR invitation to participate in that  process, by participating in a community consultation on Saturday, November 18.

 

The next three years present both challenges and opportunity for the CSPC-T.  Implementation of the last strategic plan (2003-2006) has seen the rebuilding of much of the Council’s capacity, and its increasing engagement in research and community mobilization on aspects of the growing inequalities in our city.  We are now poised to take advantage of that capacity, and the new excitement and energy that exists both in the CSPC-T itself, as well as in the organizations and agencies with which we have built partnerships.  How do we do this to actively promote positive changes in our city – and beyond?

 

Where should our focus be?  What are the key issues, and how can we most effectively address them?  How do we bring limited resources to bear on the very broad array of challenges that we face as a city?  Over the next three years, how do we best meet our mission of “building a Civic Society: one in which diversity, equity, social and economic justice, interdependence and active citizen participation are central to all aspects of our lives – in our families, neighbourhoods, voluntary and recreational activities, at work, and in politics.”

 

This day provides an opportunity for the Council to benefit from the shared wisdom of individuals and organizations from across Toronto who share our mission and excitement for the future of our organization and our city.  This is a critical opportunity for you to join us in shaping the work of the Council for the next three years.

 

Please join us on Saturday, November 18, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Ontario Bar Association Meeting Centre, 20 Toronto Street, 2nd Floor.  The OBA Centre is located two short blocks east of the King subway station, and just north on Toronto Street. 

 

The location is wheelchair accessible (through the north entrance to the building).  A light lunch, and background materials, will be provided to individuals who register in advance.  Please RSVP to Mary Micallef at mmary@cspc.toronto.on.ca or 416-351-0095 x 251.  We look forward to seeing you on the 18th.

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Blue Ribbon Panel Session

The CSPC-T is collaborating with Family Service Association Toronto and other community organizations to host a session on the “Blue Ribbon Panel.”  The Federal government has established a panel, chaired by United Way of Greater Toronto President Frances Lankin, to make recommendations regarding the administration of Federal governments Grants and Contributions.  This session will provide an opportunity for community organizations to gain an understanding of the consultative process to date, the participation of organizations such as Imagine Canada in the process, and the remaining opportunities for the community sector to be informed and engaged in this process. 

 

This session will be of most interest to Executive Directors, senior staff, and Board members and volunteers.  A more detailed agenda and speakers list will be circulated shortly.  To confirm your attendance at this event, please RSVP to Mary Micallef at mmary@cspc.toronto.on.ca or 416 351-0095 x 251.

 

Date & Time: Friday, November 17, 9:00-12 noon

Location: Ontario Bar Association, 20 Toronto St., 2nd Floor (King subway station)

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Faces of the Cuts Forum - Update

In response to the federal government's September 25 announcement of $1 billion in program cuts, the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto (CSPC-T) convened a community and sector-wide forum at the Ontario Bar Association on Tuesday, October 11.  Approximately 125 people from a broad spectrum of sectors and communities took part in the forum, including representatives from non-profit agencies, community groups, funding bodies, labour organizations, and municipal and provincial government, as well as, Toronto MPs Olivia Chow and Peggy Nash.

 

Cuts and changes introduced by the federal government will affect areas such as literacy, youth employment, volunteerism, social research and community development, law reform, advocacy for women's equality, Aboriginal health initiatives, and more.  Participants were deeply concerned about the lack of government consultation and targeting of cuts which will adversely affect and work to silence the voices of women, racialized communities, Aboriginal people, youth, immigrants and LGBT communities.  They voiced opposition to cuts, such as the elimination of the Court Challenges Program, a vital program that supports court cases that challenge laws that may be in violation of Canadian constitutional rights.  They called for the reinstatement of funds to Status of Women Canada and the rejection of new terms and conditions which prohibit funding for advocacy, lobbying and general research and open up funding to for-profit organizations.  Forum participants shared information about upcoming hearings and meetings where concerned individuals can learn more and share their concerns.

 

CSPC-T released a document at the forum summarizing the impact of selected cuts.  Following the forum, the Council started a webpage to share information about events, campaigns and documents related to the cuts. Documents on this page include the CSPC-T document, and the presentation made by Ellen Russell of CCPA at the October 11 forum.  Check our website for more information:  www.socialplanningtoronto.org

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CSPC-T Welcomes new Placement Student

The Council welcomes Erin Rumsby, a Social Services Worker Program student from George Brown College.  Erin joins the Council as a student intern for the next four months, working in the Research Department.

 

 

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2.  UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Volunteer Lawyers Service & the City of Toronto Community Resources Unit

Legal Education Seminars Series

The Volunteer Lawyers Service and The City of Toronto Community Resources Unit are presenting a series of legal seminars free, to Senior Board members, Executive Directors, Fund Development staff of nonprofit and charitable organizations.

Dates:

November 6: Duties and Liabilities of Board of Directors (Toronto)

November 29: Privacy Legislation for Health Services Nonprofits (Toronto)

 

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register please contact 416-392-9125

 

For more details about the seminars please visit: www.volunteerlawyers.org

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The West Coalition on Housing and Homelessness

Candidates and Voters Meeting

All York South-Weston Residents to come and share your opinion & talk to your candidates

Date & Time: Tuesday, November 7, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Location: 720 Trethewey Drive, Main Floor Recreation Room

 

For more information contact Rohan Thompson at North York Community House:

416-243-1699

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KidsPlay & YouthOutlook (KPYO)

uTALK

This is an opportunity for our youth to speak and address Municipal incumbents, mayoral and City Council candidates just 5 days before the election.

 

Please, take the time and come and listen to our youth speak. There will be live entertainment and much more…

 

Date & Time:    Wednesday, November 8, 12 noon – 3:00 pm

Location:          Nathan Phillips Square

 

Speakers:         Spider Jones and Brian O’Dea

 

For more information, please contact Tylaine J.F. Duggan at 416-813-0909 or email tylaine@kpyo.net

For information on KPYO visit their website www.kpyo.net or call Toll Free 1-877-762-7624

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Toronto Harm Reduction Task Force

Fall 2006 Front-Line Workers Networking Forum

If you work front line with any vulnerable population where drug use is a concern, please register and join us.

This Forum will be of great value to: Outreach Workers, Housing Workers, Peer Workers, Case Managers, Shelter Workers, Drop-in Workers , and their supervisors

Date & Time: Wednesday, November 8, 9:00 am (sharp!) – 3:00 pm

Location: Central Toronto location – fully accessible
(Venue details will be forwarded by email with your registration confirmation.)

To register: email torontoharmreduction@yahoo.ca citing "front line workers forum" in the subject line.

To register email: torontoharmreduction@yahoo.ca citing "front line workers forum" in the subject line.

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The Social Economy Centre (OISE/UT) Presents
Lunchbox Speakers’ Series: Microlending with Susan Henry, Alterna Savings and Susan Mclean, Access Riverdale
Microlending is an idea with legs that, in contrast to the norm, has moved from poor to wealthy countries. The Alterna Savings Community Micro Loan Program and Access Riverdale Community Loan Fund are microlending programs in Toronto. Our speakers, Susan Henry and Susan McLean, administer each of these programs.

This event will be webcast and we will accept email questions from remote participants. Go to the following webpage for detailed instructions to set up and view the webcast: http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/webcast.php


You are welcome to bring your lunch. Coffee, tea and water will be provided.

Date & Time: Wednesday, November 8, 12 noon – 2:00 pm
Location: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT, 252 Bloor St. West, Toronto, Room 12-199

For more information, go to: http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/lectures.php or contact
Sherap Winn at swinn@oise.utoronto.ca or (416) 923-6641, extension 2087.

The Social Economy Lunchbox Speaker Series will continue in January 2007
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First-ever fully accessible Mayoral Candidates Forum in Canada

Hosted by: Scadding Court Community Centre, Canadian Helen Keller Centre, The Canadian Hearing Centre

You are invited to participate in this unique Mayoral Candidates forum that focuses on issues of concerns to people living with disabilities in the City of Toronto that fall under Municipal scope.

 

It is fully accessible to people with disabilities providing sign language interpreting, real-time captioning/computerized note-taking, assistive listening devices, deaf-blind intervening services, and attendant services.

 

Date & Time: Friday November 10, 7:00 p.m.

Location: Scadding Court Community Centre Gymnasium, 707 Dundas St. W.

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Wellesley Institute's Upcoming workshops

The Wellesley Institute has designed and is offering 17 one–day skill building workshops that are designed for management staff and board members of non-profit organizations, including governments (public health too) and commissions.

 

For a list of upcoming Capacity Building Workshops and Community Based Research Workshops visit:

http://wellesleyinstitute.com/capacity-building/capworkshops/cap-workshops-list/

Kindly contact Joan Roberts for further workshop information at: 416-972-1010 ext 230 or Email: joan@wellesleyinstitute.com.

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Toronto Disaster Relief Committee (TDRC)

National Housing Day Car Rally

This event is intended to draw attention to the continual shortage of affordable housing, as well as the potential end of SCPI, RRAP and other federal programs that assist people who are homeless.  If you don't have a car, we can help connect you with a ride. If you want to bike, there will be an alternative route in place

 

We envision this being a public, but safe, car parade

 

Date & Time: Wednesday, November 22, 10:30 am start decorating cars, 11:00am - car rally starts

Location: Cars will be decorated at Sunnyside Park on the Lakeshore.  The route begins here and will include a drive through Parkdale, the downtown and Sherbourne and Dundas

 

To participate with your vehicle, to attend but need a ride, or if your agency would like to endorse the event, please email TDRC at: tdrc@tdrc.net

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The Youth Challenge Fund (YCF)

Grant Applications

The YCF was established to create meaningful opportunities for Toronto’s young people, engage them in our communities and build hope for the future.

 

The focus of the fund will primarily be the 13 priority neighbourhood areas that have been identified in the Strong Neighbourhoods Task Force report. These neighbourhoods were selected based on urgent local needs and inadequate local services.

 

Application deadline is: January 15, 2007 at 12 noon

 

The Fund guidelines, criteria and application forms are available at: www.youthchallengefund.org

 

For any questions or clarifications please contact 416-507-3290

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The Ontario Health Coalition

Lecture Series Rise Up: Reports on Social Movements and Defending Medicare

Join us for an evening with Maude Barlow, Naomi Klein, and Ana Gladys, joined by Natalie Mehra, and moderated by Dora Jeffries, the coalition co-chair.

 

Date & Time: Friday, December 1 at 7:00 pm

Location: St. Andrew’s Church, King and Simcoe Streets

 

For further information contact the Ontario Health Coalition at: 416-441-2502 or email: ohc@sympatico.ca

 

 

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3.  NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

 

Toronto Training Board (TTB)
Survey

The Toronto Training Board invites you to complete this online survey as part of their consultation process to update their Trends, Opportunities and Priorities (TOP) Training & Labour Market Issues in Toronto report for 2006-2007.

Please follow the link to the survey: www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=114832138818
and provide your much-valued input.
 

Submission deadline: November 10, 2006
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A Commitment to Training and Employment for Women (ACTEW)

Blog Launch

ACTEW is launching a blog that follows how Ontario's training and employment
policy is affecting women. A blog is an online journal or newsletter that is frequently updated, so we can provide up-to-date information to our members and interested people on the implementation of the LMDA and LMPA, as well as new research and ACTEW policy initiatives. Just as importantly, blog readers can leave comments, provide more information and suggest other topics.

 

Please note that this will be a moderated blog, which means that comments are vetted through ACTEW before appearing on the blog.  It also means that your comment will take up to about a day to appear online).

 

The blog is offered as a part of ACTEW's Putting Women in the Picture project, and we will be launching more online at www.actew.org/pwp in November.

 

Visit the ACTEW Blog now at: www.actew.org/blog

For further information visit: http://www.actew.org.

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Canadian Urban Institute

Nominate a Leader!

The Canadian Urban Institute is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the fourth annual Urban Leadership Awards. The ceremony to celebrate the winners will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2007 in Toronto.

 

This is your opportunity to recognize an individual, group or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to our public realm by submitting a nomination under any of the following categories:

City Renewal, City Soul, City Livability, City Initiatives, City Youth, Local Heroes.

 

Nominations close December 8, 2006.

 

For more details on the Urban Leadership Awards and the award categories, please call Janis Lynch at 416-365-0816 x283 or visit the CUI website at www.canurb.com/awards

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United Way of Greater Toronto (UWGT)

2nd Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise

The UWGT is offering subsidies to attend the 2nd National Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise to be held in Vancouver, January 28-31, 2007.

 

Any Toronto-based non-profit organization operating, or planning to operate, a social enterprise whose purpose is to create employment opportunities for people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness are welcomed to apply for a subsidy to attend the conference.

 

Information is available online at: www.torontoenterprisefund.ca

 

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact Anne Jamieson at 416-777-1444 ext. 513. Or email ajamieson@uwgt.org

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Housing Action Now (HANS)

Municipal Election Kit

This Kit has been prepared for community organizations interested in getting active on housing issues in the Municipal Election in Toronto. Although this kit is focused on housing, some of the information may be useful for groups interested in other issues.

 

To obtain a copy of the Kit contact Ann Fitzpatrick at 416-924-4640 ext 3482 or Email: AMFitzpatric@TorontoCAS.ca

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Centre for Urban Health Initiatives
Urban Health Seminar Series

Drugs and Sex: Community-based Research at the AIDS Committee of Toronto

Presenter: Winston Husbands, PhD

Director of Research and Program Development, AIDS Committee of Toronto

Date: November 1st

 

Young Women in Transition in Toronto: A Precarious Existence

Presenters: Patricia Erickson Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Professor of Sociology & Criminology, U of T

And Katharine King, Project Coordinator, Youth in Transition Study, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Date: December 6th 

 

For upcoming seminar summaries and other events visit: http://www.cuhi.utoronto.ca/

Or call: 416-978-7223

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The Maytree Foundation

Maytree Public Policy Training Institute

The Maytree Public Policy Training Institute is an innovative learning program designed for individuals and organizations with a demonstrated interest and engagement in public policy. The objective of the program is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills required to develop, influence and monitor public policy on issues relevant to their communities of interest.

 

The Institute begins in October 2006 and will offer a comprehensive five module training series of one and two day sessions over a six-month period.

 

For program guidelines and application forms go to: www.maytree.com/MaytreeInitiatives/ppti.htm  For more information contact Maytree Foundation at: 416- 944-2627

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Urban Studies Program at Innis College, the Canadian Urban Institute and the Centre for Urban and Community Studies

Election 06: What Future For Toronto?

This is a crucial election for the people of Toronto. The politicians we elect on November 13 will hold office for four years, longer than any previous city council has ever served. Decisions taken over the last three years will give these new city councilors more power...and more federal and provincial money...than any city council has ever had before. What will they do for Toronto? What will they do to Toronto?

 

A series of 11 Tuesday night forums at Innis will explore the issues facing Toronto in this election.

 

Date & Time: Tuesday nights until November 20; 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Location: The Innis Café, 2 Sussex Avenue (at St. George Street)

 

For more details visit: www.canurb.com

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Natural Resources Canada

Maps for Canadians

As of January 2007, Natural Resources Canada will discontinue the printing of paper topographic maps and will close the Canada Map Office.  Our government wants to get out of the business of producing maps.  However, many Canadian depend on the paper map service that the government currently provides.

 

This is a political issue and your help is needed to lobby the government, your M.P. and the Minister of Natural Resources know that the map printing service of the government is important to Canadians.

 

For more information and to support Access to Maps for Canadian by visiting: http://www.mapsforcanadians.ca

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Help Us Let People Know How to Confirm Their Eligibility to Vote

The City of Toronto needs to verify the eligibility of some voters before the election on November 13, 2006. We would greatly appreciate your assistance in letting people know why we need to confirm their eligibility to vote and how they can confirm their qualifications with the City.

 

In July, the City received the preliminary list of electors for the 2006 municipal election from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).  Provincial legislation requires the City of Toronto to use the preliminary list of electors provided by MPAC as the basis of its voters’ list.

 

In an attempt to increase the accuracy of municipal voters’ lists, MPAC underwent a data matching process with the National Register of Electors maintained by Elections Canada to verify the eligibility qualifications of individuals in its database.  This data matching process resulted in the identification of 277,000 individuals in Toronto whose elector qualifications could not be confirmed.

 

The City is conducting an extensive communications campaign and mailing a letter to every affected individual.  The letter (which includes information in the 17 languages approved by Council for election purposes) explains that the individual’s eligibility to vote is unconfirmed and requests that if they are an eligible elector, they complete the declaration on the back of the letter and return the document to the City by September 8th.

 

Individuals who confirm their eligibility to vote with the City will remain on the voters’ list; individuals who do not will either have to complete an application to add their name during the revision period (September 5 to November 13) or when they go to vote. 

 

No eligible elector will be disenfranchised from their right to vote.  Everyone who is entitled to vote in the City of Toronto’s municipal election will have the opportunity to do so, regardless of whether or not they are on the voters’ list.

 

You can help us get the message out to individuals who may be affected by posting the attached flyer in a prominent location or sending it to your organization’s members.

 

We appreciate your assistance with this matter.  If you require additional information or have any questions, please call 416-338-111

 

 

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4.  CONFERENCES AND CALLS FOR PAPERS


Canadian Labour Market and Skills Researcher Network

Call For Proposal on Immigration in Canada
This is a Request for Proposals (RFP) for research studies in the area of Immigration in Canada. This is one of several areas where papers are being commissioned as part of the Canadian Labour Market and Skills Researcher Network (CLSRN) supported by Human Resources and Social Development Canada. The coordinators of this research program are Charles Beach (Queen’s University) and Nicole Fortin (University of British Columbia).

CLSRN plans to provide funding for 5 to 10 research papers in this area. Funded studies will generally provide new empirical evidence to support evidence-based policy decision making. They are to be of the quality of papers submitted to peer-reviewed, refereed journals and authors are encouraged to ultimately submit them to such forums (with appropriate acknowledgement to the funding source). The normal budget for such research studies is $15,000 (plus GST if applicable).

Submission Deadline: November 15, 2006

 

For more information go to the CLSRN website at: www.econ.ubc.ca/ine/clsrn/ 

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Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR)

Fall Consultation: Taking the Lead - Refugee and Immigrant Youth

People who work with newcomers and those with a personal interest in refugees and immigrants are warmly invited to the CCR Fall Consultation.  This consultations offer a key opportunity for information-exchange, networking, strategy development and discussion and to advance the refugee and immigrant rights.

• meet more than 300 refugee and immigrant rights advocates from across

Canada

• meet and learn from experts in the field
• exchange information and prepare resolutions on a broad range of refugee and newcomer issues

• contribute to the CCR working groups’ ongoing dialogue on policy and legislation.

Date: November 23-25, 2006
Location: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Montreal

Registration forms for the CCR Fall Consultation are available online at: www.web.ca/ccr/meetings.htm

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Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Settlement & Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate, Ontario Region

Call For Proposals

 

Analysis of Online Language Training Programs

The Settlement and Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), Ontario Region, invites proposals to research and analyze online and distance education courses that are currently available within the field of second language training.  The research gathered will provide information to CIC for future program planning and development.  The successful applicant will examine existing models and best practices from both English and French programs and identify gaps that exist within the programs.   

For more information, or to obtain the full copy of the For Proposals document and any other proposal inquiries please contact: Suzanne.MacDonald1@cic.gc.ca or visit: http://atwork.settlement.org/sys/atwork_library_detail.asp?passed_lang=EN&doc_id=1004101

Analysis of Second Language Training: Tutoring Programs & Seniors’ Programs

The Settlement and Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), Ontario Region, invites proposals to research tutoring programs and seniors’ programs that currently exist within the field of second language training across Canada.  The successful applicant will examine existing models and best practices from both English and French programs across the country.  The research gathered will provide information of use to CIC Ontario Region for future program planning. 

 

For more information, or to obtain the full copy of the Proposal documents and any other proposal inquiries please email Suzanne MacDonald at: Suzanne.MacDonald1@cic.gc.ca or visit: http://atwork.settlement.org/sys/atwork_library_detail.asp?passed_lang=EN&doc_id=1004102

 

Submission deadline to the Settlement Directorate is: November 14, 2006 at 4.00 pm (EST). Proposals received after this time will not be considered.

The deadline for questions is November 3, 2006.  Specific questions will be answered on an individual basis.  If you wish to receive a list of questions submitted and their answers send an e-mail to Suzanne.MacDonald1@cic.gc.ca by November 3, 2006 stating your intention to apply and requesting that the list of questions and answers be sent to you via return e-mail.  All questions and answers will be shared with all potential applicants via e-mail on November 7, 2006.

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Philippine Women Centre in Ontario
Conference: Making the Filipino Community Count in Ontario

Filipinos comprise the fourth largest immigrant group in Canada and are among the most educated, yet lowest paid of immigrants. Most are women (around 65% of all Filipinos in Canada) many of who come under the Live-in-Caregiver Program (LCP). Our combined status as immigrants and people of colour has been a major factor in our community’s consignment to occupationally segregated and low wage sectors of the economy.

This 2½ day conference will touch on four major issues of the Filipino community, namely, overcoming economic marginalization, combating systemic racism and social exclusion, enhancing women's equality and human rights, and making the youth count in the community's future.~ There will be academic and community-based speakers who will be presenting.

Date: November 10-12, 2006
Location:
Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil St., Toronto, Ontario

For more information contact Cecilia Diocson at: 604-215-1103 or email: yusonoyas@shaw.ca or contact Rina Joy Sioson at: 416-656-2660 or 416-878-8772 or email: pwcontario@yahoo.ca
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University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada

Conference: Building Bridges: A Labour Studies Conference
How can we defend and create good jobs, protect the environment, challenge injustice and inequality, and create peace?

It's a tall order, but there is a lot at stake. We've got lots of experience winning, but face some new and daunting challenges, too. Join union activists, researchers, students and artists from across the continent at this free conference to share strategies, find out what works, and discuss how we can work together to build a stronger movement for progressive social change.


Themes:
o Reaching under-represented workers
o Building union cooperation in Canada and across borders
o Strengthening alliances between labour and social movements
o Reaching out through alternative media, art and culture

Date: February 2-3, 2007
Location: University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada

For more information, updates, or to register, go to: http://web4.uwindsor.ca/units/socsci/Labour.nsf/

 

 

5.  INFORMATION RESOURCES

 

5.1      New Reports and Publications

 

Extend the Municipal Franchise:  Inclusive Cities Canada

Inclusive Cities Canada, a joint project of five Social Planning Councils across Canada, is releasing a series of papers on key issues of social inclusion.  One of the first of these papers, authored by Ryerson University professor Myer Siemiatycki, focuses on the issue of extending the municipal franchise to non-citizen residents of Toronto.  This paper received substantial media attention on its release last week, and can be accessed on the CSPC-T website at www.socialplanningtoronto.org and the Inclusive Cities website at

www.inclusivecities.ca/publication/reports/2006/toronto-report.pdf

 

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Wellesley Institute

Blueprint to End Homeless in Toronto

The Wellesley Institute has released its the Blueprint to End Homeless in Toronto
with current data on housing and homelessness in Toronto, a review of Toronto's housing history (going back to 1918), and a ward-by-ward review of housing, homelessness and poverty.

 

Access the full report at: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/theblueprint

 

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Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA)

Report: Many Canadians May be Forced to Work Longer, Delay Retirement
As the leading edge of the baby boom generation reaches its late 50s, concern is growing about labour shortages and the affordability of pension programs. Governments are abolishing mandatory retirement, abandoning early retirement incentives, and considering raising the age of eligibility for public pensions. As a result, Canadians may be forced to go on working as they grow older: whether they want to or not, according to a report recently released by the CCPA. 

 

The responsibility for retirement income has been shifted away from collective actions and programs and onto individuals. Less than 40% of Canadians now belong to a registered pension plan through their work, and many won’t be able to save enough on their own.

According to the report, there could be growing rates of senior poverty in the future, reversing the gains we’ve made over the past 20 years or so.

 

The report, Growing Older, Working Longer: The New Face of Retirement is available from the CCPA at: www.nll209.policyalternatives.ca

 

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The Daily, Statistics Canada

 

October 2, 2006
Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends, 2006

 

Statistics Canada has released a comprehensive summary of what is currently known about the prevalence and severity of violence against women in Canada.

This new report puts these data into perspective, and provides a snapshot of violence against women in Canada.

Findings from the report show that women are more likely than men to be the victims of the most severe forms of spousal assault, as well as spousal homicide, sexual assault and stalking.

The rate of spousal homicide has also declined in recent years for both women and men, and survey data suggest that the severity of non-lethal assaults against women has also declined somewhat.

Trends in various types of violence against women, as recorded in police statistics, are mixed. Rates of reported sexual assault have declined since 1993. In addition, the number of spousal violence incidents against women has declined since 2000, while the rate of violence perpetrated by boyfriends has increased. Also, the number of male partners reported to police for criminal harassment has risen.

Sexual assault is one of the most under-reported crimes.

The number of female victims of spousal assault who contacted police or social services remained steady between 1999 and 2004. The number of women accessing shelter services has also been stable in recent years. This does not necessarily represent the need for shelter services, however, as the data show that on a single day there were over 200 women turned away from shelters.

According to police statistics, rates of spousal violence and spousal homicide are higher for Aboriginal women than for non-Aboriginal women or Aboriginal men. The severity and impact of spousal violence are also greater for Aboriginal women.

Rates of sexual assault and other violent crimes are higher on reserves than in other areas of Canada.

The report Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends, 2006 is available at http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/061002/d061002a.htm (PDF file 495K - 97 pages)

 

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October 3, 2006

Study: Returning to the parental home, 2001

Young people in the so-called Generation X, especially those born between 1972 and 1976, were three times as likely to return home to live with their parents as baby boomers were, according to a new study.

A number of factors help explain this growing trend. These include the increasing acceptance of common-law relationships (since such unions are more likely to break up than marriages); and the pursuit of higher education, which tends to leave young graduates with heavy student debts.

Other factors include financial difficulties; the reduced stigma attached to living with parents; wanting a standard of living impossible to afford on their own; the new and different roles of parents and children in families; and needing a parent's emotional support during the stressful transition to adulthood and independence.

These so-called "boomerang children" gave a number of reasons for returning home, the most common of which was related to education. Over one-quarter reported that it was either the end of the school year, or they had finished their program or quit school.

Another 25% returned the first time for financial reasons while 12% said their job had ended. About 1 in 10 returned home with a broken heart, seeking their parents' support at the end of a relationship.

This study can be found in online version of the Canadian Social Trends at: http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/11-008-XIE/11-008-XIE2006003.htm

 

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October 3, 2006

Study: Interreligious unions, 2001

With Canada's increasing cultural diversity, interreligious conjugal unions are on the rise, but the vast majority of couples still consist of partners from the same broad religious affiliation group, according to a new study.

 

The study found that in 1981, 15% of people in couples were in an interreligious union, either marriage or common-law.  By 2001, such unions had grown to 19% of couples. Of the 14.1 million Canadians in couples, nearly 2.7 million had a partner from a different religious group.

 

Not surprisingly, over half of these unions were between Catholics and Protestants, the two largest broad religious groups in Canada.

 

The study found that the likelihood of an interreligious union was associated with where you lived, how homogeneous the religious mix of your community was, how religious you were, how traditional the doctrine of your religion was, and how long you had been in Canada.


The most common interreligious union involving a Muslim partner was with a Catholic, which represented 4% of Muslims in couples. About 71% of Muslim couples resided in Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver.

 

This study can be found in online version of the Canadian Social Trends at: http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/11-008-XIE/11-008-XIE2006003.htm

 

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October 5, 2006

Study: Employment growth in Northern Ontario's communities, 1981 to 2001

Communities in Northern Ontario that had a diversified economy in 1981 were more likely to experience employment growth during the following two decades than their less diversified counterparts, according to a new study.

However, over time, this growth in employment was associated with a tendency towards economic specialization. By 2001, communities often became more economically specialized as the workforce shifted from the primary sectors of farming, forestry and mining to the service sectors.

This study analyzed the degree of economic diversification or specialization in 79 Northern Ontario communities between 1981 and 2001, and its relationship to the workforce. While the region covers almost 90% of Ontario's land mass, it had a population of only 786,500 in 2001.

Between 1981 and 1991, employment levels in Northern Ontario rose at an annual average rate of 1%. However, between 1991 and 2001 they fell at an average rate of 0.6% a year. By 2001, this had resulted in a workforce only 4% above the levels of 1981.

The study found that the challenge Northern Ontario communities have to face to increase their workforce is to find new or different products to export from their communities.

The paper, Northern Ontario's Communities: Economic Diversification, Specialization and Growth", 1981 to 2001is available at: http://www.statcan.ca/english/research/21-601-MIE/21-601-MIE2006082.pdf (PDF file 1116K - 68 pages)

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October 6, 2006

Labour Force Survey, September 2006

Employment edged up slightly in September, following three months of little change. The unemployment rate dipped 0.1 percentage points to 6.4% in September, while the share of the population which was employed remained near record highs. Since the beginning of the year, employment has increased by 210,000.

 

In September, an increase of 31,000 in part-time was partly offset by a decline of 15,000 in full time. The trend in full-time employment is up, and has accounted for the bulk of the gains over the last three years. So far in 2006, full-time employment has risen by 1.4%, a growth similar to the 1.3% increase in hours worked.

 

The unemployment rate for adult women fell to 5.0% in September, its lowest level in 30 years. The youth job market declined for the fourth consecutive month in September. During this period, youth employment fell by 42,000, bringing it to the same level as at the start of the year. In contrast, employment among adult men over the same period has grown by only 0.7%, pulled down by losses in wholesale trade, transportation, and manufacturing.

 

Industries with strong year-to-date employment growth include natural resources, business, building and other support services, and health care and social assistance. Most of the employment increase since the start of the year has been among private sector employees. Public sector employment grew more slowly over the same period.  In contrast, the number of self-employed fell by 2.2% over the first nine months of 2006 despite an increase in the third quarter.

 

A more detailed summary is provided in Labour Force Information at http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/061006/d061006a.htm (PDF file 425K - 55 pages)

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October 10, 2006

Survey of Canadian Attitudes toward Learning, 2006
Data from the first-ever Survey of Canadian Attitudes toward Learning, provide a barometer of opinions, perceptions and beliefs about lifelong learning among Canadians.

 

The survey was sponsored by the Canadian Council on Learning, and asked more than 5,000 adults about four aspects of learning throughout the lifespan: early childhood learning, structured learning (elementary, secondary and postsecondary), work-related learning, and health and learning.

 

The survey showed that the vast majority of Canadian adults feel there is a strong relationship between education and success in life. Results showed that Canadians believe in fostering positive learning experiences in early childhood and in promoting a love of learning in schools. Respondents nearly all agreed that it is important for elementary and secondary schools to teach the basics: reading, writing, and arithmetic. They also thought that schools should prepare students for work and further learning as well as teach them to be good citizens.

 

This study is available from the Canadian Council on Learning at: http://www.ccl-cca.ca/scal

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October 20, 2006

Perspectives on Labour and Income, October 2006

The October 2006 online edition of Perspectives on Labour and Income features two articles: Earnings instability and Training through the ages

 

Earnings instability looks at trends in the earnings instability of lone parents and unattached individuals in the past two decades. It also examines the role of government transfers and the tax syst