In the last few weeks, we lost two stalwarts of the sector – Kay Blair and Fred Franklin. Both were extraordinary leaders in the social justice work of the sector, Kay with a focus on immigrant settlement, and women economic and social empowerment; and Fred on refugee protection and detention issues for all those imprisoned, refugees or not.
This annual benefit and gala dinner for Dixon Hall Music School supports music lessons for youth living in Regent Park and surrounding communities in Toronto. The music school provides a cultural lifeline to families from all walks of life. The program sees students through all stages of their musical and personal development, with music lessons for as low as $3 and instruments to take home for as low as $5 per month.
“Shut it Down: Challenging Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism in our communities” - panel discussion at OCASI Annual General Meeting 2016, on Wednesday November 9, 2016 6pm - 7:00 pm @ Westin Prince Hotel, 900 York Mills Road, Toronto.
OCASI collaborated with community partners on a joint submission on Canada’s state of compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, for the CEDAW Committee’s upcoming review of Canada in October - November 2016.
OCASI is offering Trauma and Refugee Mental Health Training for frontline immigrant and refugee service providers in London and Hamilton and area, in partnership with Hong Fook and the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture. Training in London is provided on October 17+18, 2016, and in Hamilton on November 3+4, 2016.
A coalition of community organizations launched a proposed legislative framework for the newly established Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD) in Ontario at a press conference on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Register here for this free training for community service providers and legal clinic caseworkers. Learn what residency requirements clients need to access government benefits, including OHIP, Old Age Security, Canada Child Benefit and Toronto subsidized housing. On Friday, November 25, 2016, 9 am-4:30 pm @ Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto.
Ontario is consulting communities across the province on how police oversight can be improved. The review includes the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) and the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) - organizations that oversee police conduct. Participate in a face-to-face consultation and/or send a written submission - deadline November 30, 2016.
Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has released a new Policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability. It is intended to provide clear, user-friendly guidance on how to assess, handle and resolve human rights matters related to disability.
Currently, almost 1,600 people in Ontario are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. And though most believe organ donation is a good thing, just over a quarter of us are registered as donors. Though everyone is a potential donor, the opportunity for organ donation is rare. Spread the word. Start a drive and help to save lives.
Results of the June 2016 competition for targeted research on Syrian Refugee Arrival, Resettlement and Integration are released by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Award recipients include several Ontario universities.
Canadian Museum of Human Rights is calling for entries for an exhibition on photography and human rights, in recognition of the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation. Entries will be accepted in two age categories - General, and Youth (ages 18 and under). Deadline is December 31, 2016, at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time.
