COMMUNITY SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF TORONTO

 

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Issue # 43, October 2006

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Welcome to the forty-third 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 October 25, 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

 

NEW FACES AT THE CSPC-T

 

Welcome New Staff

The CSPC-T is delighted to welcome 4 new staff

 

Winston H. Tinglin – Director of Community Engagement

Winston comes to the Council with over ten years’ senior management and leadership experience in government and the voluntary sector.  As a consultant and community volunteer, he has worked with a wide range of community organizations - from small, emerging groups to larger, well-established organizations.  He has served on several Boards including, more recently, the Settlement and Integration Services Organization in Hamilton, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.  In February 2006, Winston was recognized   with the John C. Holland Award for outstanding community contributions. Winston’s areas of expertise include policy and program development, strategic planning, training and partnership building.  He has a Masters in Education (Queen’s) in administration and counseling psychology and in post-graduate studies, specialized in adult education.

 

Kate Hoffmann – Project Leader

Kate Hoffmann is joining the Council as one of two Project Leaders on the Action for Neighbourhood Change (ANC) project in Weston-Mt Dennis. Kate has experience in provided research, project management and community organizing support to direct service agencies and community groups, as well as training community volunteers for advocacy work. Kate also spent four years as working with a Toronto City Councillor developing policy, advocating on behalf of constituents and facilitating community processes with stakeholder groups. Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Urban Studies from the University of Toronto and is a candidate for a Master of Arts in Studies in Policy and Practice in the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Human and Social Development.

 

Safo Visha – Project Leader

Safo is the second Project Leader on the ANC project in Weston-Mt. Dennis.  Safo   has extensive project management experience in diverse multicultural settings including Albania, Africa, Ukraine, Turkmenistan and Canada.

 

He has worked with EU, Norwegian People’s Aid, Doctors without Borders, United Nations, Elections Canada, etc.  Much of his management experience has been focused on creating emergency response for communities in crisis, establishing mechanisms for community regeneration and revitalization ensuring community engagement as a guarantee for a long-term sustainable solution.  His community work experience includes developing community needs assessments, recruiting community leadership, establishing training programs and supervising multi-disciplinary staff.  He holds a B.A (Education), from the University of Tirana and and an MBA in International Management/Development from Centenary College, New Jersey

 
Michaella Ciero – Program Support

Michaella Ciero will be joining CSPC-T to assist the project team in Weston-Mt Dennis and the central Council office. Michaella is a Community Worker with experience in providing training, direct service, and referrals to clients as well as office coordination. Michaella comes to the Council from the Community Action Resource Centre in the former City of York.

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CSPC-T Welcomes new Placement Student

The council is very pleased to welcome Ryerson social work student Erica Gonzales. Erica will be working on placement with CSPC-T Planner Yasmin Khan in the former city of York on a variety of community development projects. Welcome Erica!

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Employment Opportunities with the Council

The CSPC-T is currently seeking a Development Officer.  Details of this position can be found on our website at http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/Index2.htm under “events & opportunities”.  Candidates from equity-seeking groups are actively encouraged to apply for these positions. 

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Our New Office in Etobicoke

It is a great pleasure to announce that the CSPC-T recently moved its Etobicoke office to the James Shaver Homestead, “Applewood” near Burnhamthorpe and the West Mall. This historical farm house is where James Shaver Woodsworth was born.  His family along with other pioneers built churches, established schools and helped lay the foundation for the community. J.S. Woodsworth a Methodist minister, social worker, and a politician continued the family tradition by fighting for people’s rights and helping create Canada’s social-security system.  His leadership and determination for social reform changed the lives of all working Canadians.  He was also one of the founders of the CCF, predecessor to the New Democratic Party.

 

The Social Planning Council of Toronto is very proud to be located in this historical place as our vision is similar to that of J.S. Woodsworth, to help build a better community.  The CSPC-T Etobicoke Area Planner is Israt Ahmed.  Her contact information is: Applewood, The J.S Foundation, 450 The West Mall, Etobicoke, M9C 1E9; Phone 416 231 5499; E-mail: iahmed@cspc.toronto.on.ca

 

The homestead is a symbol of industriousness and sacrifices of community activists and a well preserved example of the Ontario vernacular style. Please feel free to visit this beautiful heritage house and contact the foundation (www.applewoodshaverhouse.org or 416 622 4124) for a guided historical tour.

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Faces of the Cuts: The Impact of Federal Program Cuts on Communities in Toronto
A Community and Sector-Wide Forum

The Community Social Planning Council of Toronto is hosting a forum, "Faces of the Cuts: The Impact of Federal Program Cuts on Communities in Toronto", to understand the impact on Toronto of the $1 billion in federal program cuts announced on September 25. 

 

Date & Time: October 11, 12 noon – 2:00 pm (a light lunch will be available)

Location: Ontario Bar Association, 20 Toronto Street, 2nd Floor (King Subway: two blocks east of Yonge Street, north of King Street)

To register for the forum or for more information, contact Mary Micallef at: mmary@cspc.toronto.on.ca or (416) 351-0095 x251


In preparation for this event, we are collecting information from Toronto community agencies that are affected by the federal cuts.  If your agency is affected by the cuts, we would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to answer these 7 questions. 

1.  How will the cuts affect your agency and its programs?

 

2.  Thinking about the communities that you serve, who will be affected by the cuts (e.g. specific program users, groups defined by gender, age, income, ethnoracial groups, specific neighbourhoods, etc.)?

3.  Approximately, how many clients/participants will be affected by the funding cuts?

4.  What is the financial impact of the cuts on your agency?

 

5.  Do you anticipate any job loss due to the funding cuts and if so, how many positions would be lost?


6.  How has this funding been used by your agency in the past?

 

7.  Why is it important to maintain this funding?

Please include your name, position, agency name and contact information with your responses. 

 

Kindly respond to the 7 questions by Friday, October 6 so that we can include the responses in the forum materials

 

For more information about the questionnaire, contact Beth at: 416-351-0095 x257 or visit: http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/Index3.htm

Please send responses to Beth Wilson at bwilson@cspc.toronto.on.ca or fax it to: 416-351-0107. 

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Toronto Seniors Forum and CSPC-T  
Mayoral All Candidate Meeting

The CSPC-T is partnering with the Toronto Seniors Forum to host a Mayoral All Candidates meeting focusing on seniors’ issues with municipal government

 

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 25th, 2006 – 1.30pm-3.30pm

Location: 16 Spadina Road, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (Spadina Subway situation, west exit)

 

Moderator:       Rita Burke

Panellists:          Fergy Brown (Former Mayor, City of York)

                        Fiona Nelson (Former Trustee, Toronto Board of Education)

 

The location is wheelchair accessible. To request special accommodation (e.g. signing for the hearing impaired) contact Mary Micallef at 416-351-0095 ext 251or email: mmary@cspc.toronto.on.ca

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Congratulations to a Former Board Member

Bea Levis, a former Board member of the Council recently received the Senior of the Year Award from the City of Toronto.  Congratulations Bea from the staff and Board of the CSPC-T.

 

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2.  UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Scarborough Civic Action Network (SCAN)

4th Annual Scarborough Community Summit

The focus of this year’s summit is the Municipal Elections and Voter Participation.

 

Help set the agenda for the future of Scarborough.  Come and meet your local candicates for the municipal election.  This is an opportunity to talk about what you think are the most important issues in Scarborough

 

Date & Time: Monday, October 16, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Location: Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr (take TTC to Scarborough Centre on the LRT)

 

Refreshments and childcare provided.  

 

For more information call: 416-822-7986

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The St. Lawrence Centre (StLC) Forum and Who Runs This Town

Who Wants to be Mayor? Meet the Candidates

This is your chance to question ALL the candidates vying for the Mayor’s seat.  The Q&A will be followed by a meet and greet.

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 4, 7.30-9.30 pm

Location: St. Lawrence Centre, 27 Front Street East in Toronto, 2 blocks east of Union Station

 
Moderator: Anne Mroczkowski, Anchor, CityNews at Six, Citytv

 

For more information please contact Carolyn Langdon at 416-366-1656 ext 274 or visit: http://forum.stlc.com

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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:

October 10: Fundraising and Its Legal Implications for Nonprofits & Charities

October 19: Legal Risk Management: What Board of Directors Should Know

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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Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women & Children (METRAC)

Annual General Meeting

You are invited to METRAC's Annual General Meeting featuring a panel discussion on: "Religious Arbitration in Ontario: Breaking the Stereotypes & Working with Allies"


Date & Time:
Wednesday, October 11, 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: 519 Church Street Community Centre (519 Church St.)

A
tribute reception to Pamela Cross (past METRAC Legal Director) for
increasing women's access to justice through her work at METRAC will take
place from 5:00 to 6:30 pm - please RSVP

ASL Interpretation available upon request (please inform us about your
needs). 

 

Food and refreshments provided.


For more information visit: http://www.metrac.org/new/metrac.agm.06.pdf or call 416-392-3135 or email: info@metrac.org
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Toronto Community Housing Corporation

A Youth Economic Opportunities Forum – Get Your Hustle On

This is a 2-day forum that will bring together stakeholders committed to the personal and professional development of youth from across the GTA. The goal is to expose youth to economic opportunities available to them and to ensure that stakeholders in the city work together more effectively to create sustainable economic opportunities for youth.

 

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 11, 8:30am – 5:30pm

                      Thursday, October 12, 8:30am – 1:00pm

 

Location: University Of Toronto’s Conference Centre, 89 Chestnut Street, Downtown Toronto

 

For more information, contact Kevin at: 416-394-2150 or visit: http://www.torontohousing.ca/getyourhustleon/

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Vasantham (Tamil Seniors Wellness Centre)

A Domestic Violence Workshop for All Tamil Service Providers

This workshop is for any service provider who may serve a Tamil speaking domestic Abuse victim in any capacity. The workshop will allow you to extensively understand the Law and the system as well as what services are available in the Tamil Community for Domestic Abuse victims.

 

Date & Time: Friday, Oct 13, 9.00 am - 4.00 pm.

Location: Scarborough Civic Centre 150 Borough Drive

 

Materials & lunch are provided. 

 

For more information and to register contact: 416-324-4185

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The Ontario Health Coalition

Health Action Assembly

The Assembly will include:

Local Coalitions Report

Ontario Health Coalition Report

State of Affairs in the Health System

Questions and Answers with Provincial Politicians

2007 Action Plan

 

An Awards reception will follow

 

Date and Time: Saturday, October 14, registration begins at 9:00 am

Location: 519 Community Centre, 519 Church Street

 

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

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Education Foundation of the Chinese Professional Association of Canada (CPAC)

2006 Scholarships and Awards

The Education Foundation of CPAC is pleased to announce that it accepting applications for its annual Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries to students attending highs schools and post secondary institutions.  All scholarships, awards and bursaries are open to all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants.  The Foundation encourages students in the areas of journalism, Asian studies, Chinese Canadian history, literature and other non-traditional areas to apply. Special consideration will be given to students with disabilities.

Application deadline is October 15th, 2006. Apply On-line at: http://cpacef.serveftp.net

 

For further information please contact the CPAC office at: 416-298-7885 or email: efadmin@chineseprofesionals.ca

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Canadian Make Poverty History Campaign

STAND UP to Make Poverty History 

STAND UP is an innovative and exciting challenge to set an official Guinness World Record by having the greatest number of people ever STAND UP Against Poverty. Make Poverty History is urging supporters to join forces with people all over the world to Stand Up to Make Poverty History by:

  1. Organizing and participating in the STAND UP Guinness world record challenge on Oct. 15 .
  2. Organizing and participating in the global White Band Day of Action on Oct. 17, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
  3. Wearing a white band, the symbol of the Make Poverty History campaign.

For more information visit: http://www.makepovertyhistory.ca/

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The Canadian Youth Business Foundation & The Learning Enrichment Foundation

Got Ideas Information Session

Come out to this information session and learn how to turn your dreams of starting your own business into reality.

 

Date & Time, Wednesday, October 18, 2:00 – 3:00 pm

Location: Learning Enrichment Foundation, 116 Industry Street, Toronto

 

Light refreshment will be served.  Due to the great demand, RSVP is required.  Call Mirjana at; 416-408-2923 xt. 3301 or visit: www.cybf.ca or www.lefca.org

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Health Care Conference Canada Inc
Culture, Spirituality and Mental Health Workshop

This one-day conference recognizes that a culturally and religiously sensitive care design is a long felt need in the arena of Mental Health by a large number of care-providers and other support workers in the field   of Mental Health and Psychiatry. At the same time, the subject is of very critical significance and importance to many new immigrant communities in Canada.

 

Date: Friday, October 27

Location: Radisson Hotel, Toronto, East

 

To register go to: www.careconferences.com

 

For more information please contact K. Theivendran at: 416-444-8455 or email: careconference@rogers.com

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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.

 

Priced at only $25 with lunch included, they are an incredible value to budget conscious non-profit organizations.

 

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

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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THRIVE FORUMWOMEN OF COLOUR: CHALLENGING VIOLENCE & CREATING CHANGE

THRIVE, the Multicultural Women’s Coalition Against Violence & Oppression invites you to our first annual forum “Women of Colour: Challenging Violence & Creating Change”. THRIVE is a coalition of agencies working together to develop a response to the issue of violence against women of colour, Aboriginal women and their communities.

 

This forum is open to all women and trans people who are committed to ending violence & oppression against women of colour and Aboriginal women.

 

Date & Time: Friday, October 27th, 9.00am - 4.00pm
Location: Women’s Health in Women’s Hands

 

Registration deadline is October 20th

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

 

ASL interpretation, note taking, translation available upon request. Childcare, & TC tokens available upon request to community members

 

To register or for more information please contact Narina Nagra at: 416-392-3137 or Email: safety@metrac.org or visit: http://metrac.org/programs/safe/thrive.htm

 


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.

 

The Youth Fund is ready to begin its first round of grant-making and the first two grant application deadlines are:

 

October 31, 2006 at 12 noon

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 Colleen Larkin on 416-392-8936 or Email: clarkin1@toronto.ca
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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 and Naomi Klein, 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

 

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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Ontario Campaign 2000

Take Action Against Poverty! Get involved in “Action Against Poverty” Week 

A number of anti-poverty activities and events are underway as we move toward the Action Against Poverty week, October 16-20th.

 

Here in Canada the focus is on the demand to End Child Pverty in Canada.  Over 1 million children live below the poverty line - that is 1 in every 6 children and youth under 18 years of age.

 

In Toronto, organizers are planning Anti-poverty Rally on International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

 

Date & Time: Tuesday, Oct. 17th, 10:00 am

Location: Queen’s Park

 

For more information please contact Dana Milne at 416-597-5820, ext. 5151 or via email: milned@lao.on.ca. or visit http://www.campaign2000.net/act/mph10_06/

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University of Toronto

Program of UofT Engineering

Every year teams of first year University of Toronto Engineering students undertake staff-supervised projects in the winter term. This year we have teams for 150 projects thus the opportunity is available for finding the design for that custom device, determining a way to fix that leak, getting a plan for that new office space, choosing how to update that technology and so on.

 

Examples of project and more information are available at: www.ect.utoronto.ca/~apsesp

 

For more information about this program contact Shahryer Ahmed at: 416-946-0307 or email: sahmed@ecf.utoronto.ca

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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

Mobilizing Social Change through Policy Relevant CBR

Presenter: Michael Wright

Date: October 17th

 

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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2006 Vital People Grants
The Toronto Community Foundation's Vital People grant awards program is now accepting applications. The Vital People program supports and recognizes individuals who are making an outstanding contribution through non-profit organizations and helping to keep Toronto’s Vital Signs healthy.

 

Vital People recognizes valued leaders whether they’re focusing their energies in one neighbourhood, community, issue or field of pursuit such as the arts, social services, health, education, environment or recreation. The program provides grants of up to $5,000 that can be used towards formal training or other informal development opportunities that best enable these individuals to build their skills or knowledge or apply their experience in different ways to enhance their leadership contributions. Grants are available to those just taking on new leadership challenges, as well as those with many years of experience.

 

We encourage you to nominate a staff member or volunteer at your organization who would benefit from the recognition and support this program offers.

 

The application deadline is 5 PM, Friday October 6, 2006.

Profiles of previous grant winners and descriptions their grants are available on the TCF website at: http://www.tcf.ca/

 

For grant applications and other information about the grants please contact Sara Lyons at: 416-921-2035 x 204 or by email at slyons@tcf.ca

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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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Toronto Neighbourhood Centres (TNC)

Community Development (CD) Renewal Facilitator

The TNC (Toronto Neighbourhood Centres) is an association of thirty non-profit multi-service neighbourhood centres located in communities across Toronto. TNC members are dedicated to strengthening local neighbourhoods and enabling diverse communities to work together to promote justice and a healthy life for all.

 

Over the next two years (September 2006-2008) the TNC’s CD-Renewal Initiative will popularize strategies for organizations to maintain “CD practice in tough times”, and reinforce the work of staff in organizations who carry out processes of engagement and action that enable groups to identify common challenges and work together to make positive changes in their community (e.g. community organizing, outreach, group work, advocacy, health promotion, action-planning, education and mobilization).

 

To undertake this, the TNC is seeking a CD Renewal Facilitator for an initial contract period of 6-month, which may be extended for a further 16-month period. The position will report directly to the TNC Coordinator.

 

To apply for the CD Renewal Facilitator position, mail, courier or electronically submit by 5:00pm Wednesday October 11, a current resume, along with a short (maximum two-page) statement describing how you feel your skills and experience would enable you to achieve the project deliverables to:

 

TNC CD-Renewal Facilitator Application
c/o Sipho Kwaku

Director of Employment and Immigrant Services

WoodGreen Community Services

989 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M4J 1M1

email: myjob@woodgreen.org

 

For further information regarding the TNC CD-Renewal project please contact the TNC Coordinator, Rob Howarth at e-mail rhowarth@interlog.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 416-338-1111

 

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4.  CONFERENCES AND CALLS FOR PAPERS

 

The Centre for the Study of Education and Work, OISE/UT and The Toronto Training Board (TTB)

Conference: Skills, Jobs and Immigrants: What’s Working, Who’s Working?

 

This conference will:

·  Provide a rare opportunity for participants from different sectors to meet and discuss common concerns;

·                     Facilitate the development of more coordinated approaches between employers, labour unions, academics and community workers;

·   Offer participants a chance to learn about innovative projects that are working to move foreign trained professionals into the trades, professions and occupations; create connections between unions, immigrants/newcomers, youth, and community organizations; effectively integrate people into the labour force; and influence policy and programme development;

·                     Promote the adoption and/or adaptation of successful and innovative approaches to the integration of newcomers into the Canadian labour force, focusing on how learning can facilitate more equitable access to jobs.