Earlier this year, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Minister of Education Liz Sandals unveiled the new health and human development (Sex Education) curriculum for our public (including Catholic) elementary and secondary schools. A version of this curriculum was first announced about four years ago but was shelved by then Premier McGuinty after some political push back by some religious and parents groups.
The ReachOUT program at Griffin Centre, founded in 2005, provides a range of programs and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit and encompassing queer communities across the GTA.
OCASI Executive Director Debbie Douglas appeared as a witness before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on May 6, 2015 to present on Bill S-7, which, proposes new measures with respect to forced marriage and polygamy, including changes to immigration law.
New Report: Francophone LGBTQIA Immigrant & Refugee Settlement Needs
FrancoQueer and OCASI have collaborated to produce an assessment of the settlement and integration needs of Francophone LGBTQIA immigrants and refugees in Ontario. The assessment reveals an urgent need for French-language information and welcoming services for these individuals and communities. The report was released in April 2015.
OCASI Executive Director Debbie Douglas appeared as a witness before the Standing Committee on Justice Policy on April 16, 2015 to make a submission on Bill 49 - Ontario Immigration Act, 2015. Included in the OCASI recommendations - Expand the Provincial Nominee Program to low-skilled workers.
OCASI is pleased to announce the release of the Report from East Regional Roundtable Discussion on Serving LGBTQ+ Newcomers
On November 25, 2014, Ottawa and area service providers in the LGBTQ+ and immigrant and refugee-serving sectors, as well as folks with lived experience, gathered to discuss their regional strengths and gaps in serving LGBTQ+ newcomers. They developed strategies and opportunities for collaboration in order to effectively support LGBTQ+ newcomers in and around Ottawa.
Access the full report (including an Executive Summary for those who prefer the short version) here!
Recommendations and local resources included.
Sector Happenings
Toronto Newcomer Day - May 29
The City of Toronto, and the Toronto Newcomer Leadership Table would like to invite you to attend the first annual Toronto Newcomer Day on Friday, May 29th at Nathan Phillips Square from 11:30am-3:00pm.
Stepping Up establishes a strategic framework to help guide, focus and maximize Ontario's collaborative actions to support young people. At its core is a set of 20 outcomes to help service providers, foundations, community groups, governments, young leaders and families better align their work with what research and youth themselves say is important for their success.
Ontario has launched consultations to support a renewed Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy to ensure that the document supports the Province's goals of improving outcomes for people and ending homelessness. The Consultation Discussion Guide outlines the progress of the current strategy, future goals and areas where more input from partners is needed. Participants can submit their views to the government online, by telephone or in writing by July 3, 2015.
Walk with refugees 15-21 June 2015
Organize or join a Walk with refugees 15-21 June 2015 as a way to mark World Refugee Day. A Walk with refugees is a guided tour with stops highlighting significant places and stories from refugees and others in your community, but it can take many forms.
15 communities covered more than 1,400 km during the first Walk with refugees in 2014. Help us walk further in 2015!
Like many Torontonians, researcher Lynn Lavallée was shocked and saddened by the death of Tyson Bailey. The 15-year-old was shot in the stairwell of a Regent Park high-rise apartment building in 2013, and while Lavallée never knew the Central Tech student athlete, she felt a connection to him.
The PLE Learning Exchange is pleased to announce that this year's day of discussion will take place on Monday, June 1, 2015. The day will be an opportunity to share experiences with and learn from others who are working to increase understanding of legal rights within communities across Ontario.
Earlier this year, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Minister of Education Liz Sandals unveiled the new health and human development (Sex Education) curriculum for our public (including Catholic) elementary and secondary schools. A version of this curriculum was first announced about four years ago but was shelved by then Premier McGuinty after some political push back by some religious and parents groups.
ReachOUT Program for LGBTT2IQQ Youth
