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It seems that every week there’s a good news policy story as we witness the federal government respond to years of advocacy from a broad network of groups, organizations and individuals concerned with creating an equitable society and committed to public policy that advances the wellbeing of those who are most vulnerable among us.

There is a campaign underway that is not about electing our next federal parliament. Though intrinsically linked because political leadership and political will determine the success or failure of this campaign, Canadians have awoken to something bigger than themselves. We have been reminded of who we are as a people, privileged, generous and eager to do our part in stemming the tide of human misery as visited on our fellow human beings from the Middle-east and Africa.

Community Development Council Durham: Community Leadership Program

In December 2014, the Ontario Trillium Foundation funded a 1-year pilot project for the creation of a Durham Leadership Program, with Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) acting as the lead.

As our long winter turned to spring earlier this year, a new campaign was launched to get Torontonians excited about becoming socially and politically involved by looking outside themselves, putting out a hand, and joining a campaign bent on saving lives: Lifeline Syria.

During a meeting with the Ontario Human Rights Commission's (OHRC) acting Chief Commissioner, I was informed that the provincial Minister responsible for Community Safety and Correctional Services (which includes Police) was planning to make an announcement the next day (June 16th) on ‘Street Checks' or what most of us have come to know as ‘Carding'.

(June 3, 2015  Opinion-Editorial submitted to Toronto Star)
By Avvy Go and Debbie Douglas

Justice Murray Sinclair is absolutely right when he declares that Reconciliation is not an Aboriginal problem. It is a Canadian problem.

Amendments to the Citizenship Act became law on June 19, 2014. The resulting changes were brought into effect at various points starting in June 2014, and continued to January 2015. The remaining changes will come into force on June 11, 2015.

The key changes coming into force on June 11, 2015:

When you think of mental-health services, a walk-in clinic probably isn't what comes to mind. But a new service in Ottawa is showing the value of timely, accessible help. It has been a year since The Walk-in Counselling Clinic, a project initiated by Jewish Family Services Ottawa (JFS) and funded by the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, opened its five locations.

When you think of mental-health services, a walk-in clinic probably isn't what comes to mind. But a new service in Ottawa is showing the value of timely, accessible help. It has been a year since The Walk-in Counselling Clinic, a project initiated by Jewish Family Services Ottawa (JFS) and funded by the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, opened its five locations.