What are the next steps in facilitating civic participation of newcomers? What are the barriers and how do we address them?
Open Dialogue Event - Thursday, January 16, 2014
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
(Registration starts at 9:00 a.m.)
Location: The 519 Church Street Community Centre, 2nd Floor Auditorium
Supporting Civic Engagement and Community Capacity is one of the four pillars of the Toronto Newcomer Strategy, endorsed by Toronto City Council in 2013. The City Council also made a request to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to “amend the necessary legislation to allow permanent residents the right to vote in municipal elections.”
The City's Executive Director of the Social Development, Finance & Administration (SDFA), in partnership with OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants is organizing an Open Dialogue session to open a conversation on next steps and how to best facilitate this change.
Join us for:
- Opening remarks by Chris Brillinger, Executive Director, SDFA, City of Toronto
- An engaging panel discussion, moderated by Debbie Douglas, Executive Director, OCASI, highlighting perspectives of Nathalie Des Rosiers, Executive Director and General Counsel of Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Nawal Al-Busaidi, Manager, Thorncliffe Neighborhood Office and Councillor Joe Mihevc, Ward 21, St. Paul's
- An open, public discussion on next steps
This is the second in a series of Open Dialogue sessions, designed to start a conversation about a variety of social issues affecting our communities, and engage a broad range of community members including City Council, City staff, and community agencies.
RSVP:
Click here to register at Eventbrite or by phone at 416-392-5617.
We encourage you to register early, as space is limited.
Light refreshments will be served. Please contact us if you have any dietary requirements.