*Colour of Change Network e-Bulletin ( April 13, 2012 ) -* though
profoundly disappointing - it comes as no surprise that our Prime Minister
would dismiss any official acknowledgement of the 30th Anniversary of
the *Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms* ( April 17, 1982 ) one of the key features
of our model of governance that helps to explain what has made Canada the
successful country and society that it is today - as he has in fact
dedicated most of his life to attacking this framework for equity, human
rights and social justice - not to mention the rule of law and the Canadian
courts - for which even more troublingly he has all too little respect -
unless when they happen to agree with him !?  But hiding behind the excuse
that because there are historical differences of position on the
repatriation of the Constitution and the Charter ( isn't that the very
stuff of politics and everyday political debate !? ) - just gives further
evidence as to both the terrifically ideologically narrow understanding of
the world of the man - as well as his real child-like, controlling and
intolerant character !  But given this conscious and deliberate effort on
the part of the current federal government to harnessing a variety of the
latent fears, hatreds and intolerances that some Canadians harbour - all in
the effort to build ever deeper and ever wider inequity and inequality
across Canadian regions, communities and neighbourhoods - at this critical
moment we need continue to focus on continuing to bring a racial justice
lens to both the* Ontario Human Rights Review* and *Social Assistance (
Income Security ) Review*, as well as the again ideologically and
corporately driven "austerity agenda" that receives all too little critical
analysis from an ever more under-resourced - and seemingly "compliant" - if
not economically incompetent media, the social engineering and community
destroying policy initiatives in the area of immigration - and in the
context of the governments escalating attack on the CBC -  the nature and
character of the media itself as it deals - or not - with racial equity,
racial justice themes and issues !!

So as we try to seize this historical Charter moment - to reflect on where
we are regarding the growing "colour-coded" inequality in Ontario and the
current opportunities and possibilities for engaging racial justice
principles - see - Racism in Canada profiled on The Story From Here ( CBC
Radio - March 28, 2012 ), Canada’s proposed Office of Religious Freedom
raises human rights concerns ( CBC The Link - March 21, 2012 ), Komagata
Maru coming to life on new interactive website ( CBC The Link - March 2012
), and - Post-Racial - Americans and Race in the Age of
Obama<http://greenlining.org/publications/pdf/646/646.pdf>( The
Greenlining Institute - November 2011 ).

AGAIN - please find *attached* our *FINAL Submission on the Social
Assistance Review - Options Paper* ( COP-COC - March 16, 2012 ) - feel free
to use and share as you feel appropriate - including discussing the
priorities with MPP's - as we continue to best ensure that equity and
racial justice meaningfully informs and gets reflected in the Commissioners
final recommendations.

In order to help build together a shared understanding of what's happening
and why in the area of immigration policy - and then craft a coherent and
consistent racial justice response - see below - Canada's New Immigration (
TVO The Agenda - April 13, 2012 ), Myths and Facts related to Bill C-31 (
Canadian Council for Refugees - March 2012 ), Take Action to Protect
Refugees in Canada ( April 2012 ), Pointers to Discriminatory Canadian
Immigration Policies ( S. Kaduuli - October 2011 ), and - Is there an
ideological divide in immigration and refugee system ( The Vancouver Sun -
November 26, 2011 ).

Economic literacy is a key priority for *Colour of Poverty - Colour of
Change* ( see the* Economic
Literacy<http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL096CF1D085959E6C&feature=plcp>
* "playlist" on the *Colour of Poverty - Colour of Change* YouTube
Channel<http://www.youtube.com/user/colourofpoverty?ob=0&feature=results_main>!!
) As we work to help build a broader and deeper shared understanding
of
economic options and choices and their racial justice consequences - *see
the following links and attachments* - Budget dilemma - How do we spread
the pain of retrenchment
fairly<http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1151338--budg...>(
Toronto Star - March 25, 2012 ),
Dr Tanya Zakrison of Doctors for Fair
Taxation<http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Business/1239849460/ID=2213900699>(
CBC Lang & O'Leary Exchange - March 22, 2012 ) - an
inspiring interview where co-host Kevin O'Leary tries to use his typically
rude bombast and bullying style to push Dr Zakrison back on her heels, she
doesn't bat an eye, doesn't get angry or flustered - leaving Mr. O'Leary
looking like the selfish, mean-spirited, ideologically driven idiot that he
so often is revealed to be, Dramatic Cuts ( CBC Radio - March 21, 2012 ),
the New Face of Poverty ( CBC Radio - March 22, 2012 ), Corporate America
Untaxed - Tax Avoidance on the
Rise<http://greenlining.org/resources/pdfs/CorporateAmericaUntaxed.pdf>(
The Greenlining Institute - August 2011 ), The
Economic Crisis Facing Seniors of
Color<http://greenlining.org/resources/pdfs/TheEconomicCrisisFacingSeniorso...>(
The Greenlining Institute - August 2011 ),
and - 2012 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission ( CUPE - March 2012 ).

And as we all organize ourselves to be most effective at moving forward the
racial equity, racial justice effort - always understood through an
intersectional lens - again - *Take Action* to protect refugees in Canada,
sign the below petition related to social housing and federal government
budget priorities and *Call or email your MPP* *( and MP ! ) -* let them
know you oppose the austerity agenda, that you don't want the government to
follow Drummond's dangerous path, and that you will vote for an *MPP ( or
MP )* who supports good jobs and a strong economy. *Click Here for MPP
contact information<http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en&chann...>
or  Click Here to electronically message your MPP RIGHT
NOW!<http://budget.messageyourmpp.ca/>
*  And as we now work to most effectively harness the current political
moment provincially - *being ever wary of efforts at avoiding the race
conversation by using the "newcomer" or "immigrant" as a more convenient
and comfortable "proxy"* - please continue to spread the racial justice
policy priority messages - *provincial employment equity*,
and*ethno-racially and otherwise disaggregated data
*gathering, collection and analysis - see - *Ontario New Democratic Party (
NDP ) wants to hear your thoughts on the budget -* "In this minority
government, with an election looming, we cannot take the budget lightly.
This budget will shape people’s lives. That's why we want you to have your
say. Email or call us with your thoughts on the budget" - *Call* -
1-855-ONT-BDGT - or go on-line at - http://www.ondpcaucus.com/yoursay/  And
don't forget how to creatively engage the new leadership of the Official
Opposition federally - see a Toronto Star piece below - "NDP makes the
right bet by making Thomas Mulcair its leader" !!

Lastly - any thoughts are welcome as to who - in Canada - we might approach
to best carry forward the racial justice equivalent of - The righteous
anger of Bruce Springsteen<http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1152267--the-...>(
Toronto Star - March 26, 2012 ) -
* also attached* !!
**
REMEMBER - the *CHAMP Action Research Study* is still actively recruiting !

All the details below and attached - michael

  [image: The Agenda with Steve
Paikin]<http://support.tvo.org/site/R?i=O8WjBiGNmqiDKKusFzDRLA>
*Canada's New Immigration ( TVO The Agenda - April 13, 2012 )
-*Immigration Minister Jason Kenney discusses his
"*common-sense*" *Islamophobic
impulses*<http://ww3.tvo.org/video/176162/jason-kenney-bottom-line-immigration>and
his plan where he says he wants to match the needs of immigrants with
Canada's economic needs - as well as apparently given the fact that most
newcomers are now no longer white Europeans - it seems that *Minister
Kenney now believes that it's time to end the right to citizenship for
children born in Canada !?
The Debate -* *Realigning Canadian
Immigration<http://ww3.tvo.org/video/176168/realigning-canadian-immigration>-
* in an effort to modernize Canada's immigration process, the Conservative
Government has introduced several key proposals. *The Agenda* looks at what
the proposals mean for those coming to Canada.* Guests - *Francisco
Rico-Martinez - Co-Director - FCJ Refugee Centre, Phil Triadafilopoulos -
Assistant Professor - Political Science - University of Toronto
Scarborough, Binoy Thomas - Editor-in-Chief - The Weekly Voice, Audrey
Macklin - Professor - Faculty of Law - University of Toronto, and - Arthur
Sweetman - Professor of Economics - McMaster University. The Agenda with
Steve Paikin <http://support.tvo.org/site/R?i=mfC-cRw1aSyuR4_6PHYuiw> airs
weeknights at 8:00pm and 11:00pm ET on TVO.

*Myths and Facts related to Bill C-31 ( Canadian Council for Refugees -
March 2012 ) -* the Canadian Council for Refugees now has an updated *Fact
Sheet - Myths and Facts on Bill C-31* - as well as other new outreach and
advocacy tools !  See the *Fact Sheet at -*
http://ccrweb.ca/en/myths-and-facts-c31    Please share this information
with your Member of Parliament and with as many members of the general
public as you can -* they need to know why this new legislation is bad for
refugees and bad for Canadian communities.* In addition, they have created
additional social media resources that incorporate these myths and facts.
To check out these new model tweets and for more information on how to get
involved on social media, *see -* http://ccrweb.ca/en/social-media-c31
For resources to help you contact your Member of Parliament with your
concerns on Bill C-31, and to encourage others to do the same, *see -*
http://ccrweb.ca/en/write-your-member-parliament    If you have already
contacted your local Member of Parliament with your concerns, please
contact all the MPs on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Citizenship
and Immigration - *see -* http://ccrweb.ca/files/cimm2012.xls    ( The
Standing Committee will be studying Bill C-31 after the bill passes the
present second reading in the House of Commons ). The main page for Bill
C-31 on the CCR's website, with links to all of the resources above,* is -*
http://ccrweb.ca/en/refugee-reform    *Thank you for getting involved in
this critical foundational piece of the Ontario - and Canada - community
based racial justice education and advocacy effort !!*

*Take Action to Protect Refugees in Canada ( April 2012 ) -* The
Conservative's Bill C-31 will mean that when a person arrives in Canada as
a refugee they will face a series of unjust measures which violate the
principles of refugee protection. The impact of these harsh measures is
compounded by the fact that many refugees have already lived through
extremely difficult, stressful and life threatening experiences before they
arrive in Canada. Several of the most disturbing, unfair and human rights
denying elements of Bill C-31 are -  * 1)* Some persons making a refugee
claim in Canada can be detained for up to a year, without a review of the
reasons for their detention – imagine fleeing a war-torn situation,
arriving in Canada and being placed in a jail cell for up to a year with
limited opportunities to make your claim as a refugee;*  2)* The Bill
states that there will be a five year ban on family reunification for some
refugees who are accepted into Canada. Imagine you have been given a second
chance at life in a peaceful country, but your safety cannot be shared with
your loved ones. They must continue to live in an unstable and perhaps life
threatening situation*;  3)* The Bill states that some refugees will not be
able to appeal a negative decision of their refugee claim. You will be
returned to the country you came from – and to the harsh realities you
fled;  * 4)* The Bill gives the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
power to arbitrarily influence the outcome of refugee decision making; and
- * 5)* The Bill threatens to expel refugees from Canada when the
conditions in their home country which forced them to flee no longer exist.
*The violations and shortcomings in Bill C-31 do not uphold international
refugee and human rights principles which Canada helped to establish*. *Add
your voice at -* http://www.amnesty.ca/protectrefugees  *Sign & share
Amnesty’s appeal to MP’s – easy way to send a message -*
http://www.amnesty.ca/iwriteforjustice/take_action.php?actionid=843

*Pointers to Discriminatory Canadian Immigration Policies **( Stephen
Kaduuli - October 2011 ) -* Canada has been a haven for refuge seekers from
around the world for many years because of its relatively generous
immigration rules. For that reason, in 1986, the people of Canada were
awarded the Nansen Refugee Award by UNHCR for helping refugees integrate
successfully into Canadian society. However, there appear to be
discriminatory tendencies in its immigration policies, which in the past
were based on race. This contribution delves into the differential
treatment of immigrants from the global south compared to the preferential
treatment of English speaking Caucasians from Europe and Oceania. The
question that arises at this juncture is why, given all the accolades
heaped on Canada, do discriminatory laws and practices persist in the
assessment of non-European immigrants’ credentials. Could it be that the
laws and practices are crafted to cleverly continue with the old agenda of
keeping certain types or races of people out of Canada? The Canadian
Council for Refugees (2000: 1) observes that racism and discrimination are
part of the Canadian reality, manifested at the personal level in the way
individuals are treated and manifested at the systemic level, through
government bodies and the refugee and immigration policies that have a
differential impact on racialized groups. Those bodies and policies can
also lead to discrimination against newcomers as a group, or certain
sub-groups of newcomers. This contribution proceeds by taking a look at the
country’s history in terms of immigration policy history to shed light on
the current underlying discrimination in immigration policy, practices and
law.  *See full article at -*
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1949981

 <http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1949981>

*Is there an ideological divide in immigration and refugee system?**
Research hints judges' decisions correlate with the party that appointed
them **( by Don Butler - The Vancouver Sun - Postmedia News - November 26,
2011 ) -* the Federal Court of Canada judges appointed by Conservatives are
significantly less likely to overturn decisions by government officers and
tribunals, to deny refugee claims or deport non-citizens, than are judges
appointed by past Liberal administrations.  And an applicant's likelihood
of success diminishes even further if the appeal or review of their case is
heard by judges named to the court in the past three years by Prime
Minister Stephen Harper.  *See attached or* -
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/there+ideological+divide+immigration...

  *Dramatic Cuts ( CBC Radio - March 21, 2012 ) -* where Metro Morning host
Matt Galloway spoke about deficit driven proposed budget cuts at the
Toronto District School Board, with school trustee Howard Goodman. Rather
than stepping up to publicly and actively challenge the provincial
government - and the very real failings and inadequacies of the Mike Harris
era funding formula - to defend the Board of Trustees moving toward a
decision to cut - Mr. Goodman sets up the employee groups at the Board as
the "bad guys" !?  Apparently in Mr. Goodman's mind - not only has the TDSB
- and thus its employee groups - seemingly had it too good for too long  -
but he believes that they will in fact be responsible for the many *First
Peoples, peoples of colour and other equity-seeking group members* - who
have been hired over the past five or more years under the Boards *employment
equity policy* - will "*unfortunately*" now lose their jobs - not because
of the cuts - in a terrific slight of hand and attempt to engage in
something of a "bait and switch" strategy - but due to seniority provisions
in the Board's federation and union collective agreements !?  *Listen at -*
http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/episodes/2012/03/21/dramatic-cuts/

*New Face of Poverty ( CBC Radio - March 22, 2012 ) -* where in discussing
a new report released by Statistics Canada - Metro Morning host Matt
Galloway speaks with - of all people - their regular business commentator -
a consistently narrow-minded, frustratingly uni-dimensional raving promoter
of all things neo-liberal - of the all too familiar and mindless lower
taxes good, government ( *and CBC funding !?* ) bad mentality ?  In looking
at who are "lower income" Canadians they reference seniors and lone-parents
as relative success stories in percentage change over time terms - and then
turn to "newcomers" or "new immigrants" - where Hlinka focuses his analysis
on international visa students that he apparently teaches ( indoctrinates
!? ) at George Brown College and avoids any discussion of actual newcomers
- *let alone *"*peoples of colour*" - for which Mr. Galloway then thanks
him !?  *Listen at -*
http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/columnists/business/2012/03/22/new-fac...

*Racism in Canada profiled on "The Story From Here" ( CBC Radio - March 28,
2012 ) -* in part one of this episode - an aboriginal man talks about the
racism he experienced in the Alberta oil patch, and award winning poet
George Elliot Clarke speaks about the racist treatment of black refugees in
Nova Scotia from the war of 1812. *Listen to the program at -*
http://www.cbc.ca/thestoryfromhere/episode-update/2012/03/29/march-28...

*Canada’s Office of Religious Freedom raises human rights concerns ( CBC
The Link - March 21, 2012 ) - *
 [image: Picture]<http://www.rcinet.ca/english/column/the-link-s-top-stories/14-49_2012...>During
the last federal election campaign the Conservative Party announced its
plan to create an Office of Religious Freedom. Closed door talks have begun
between Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs and some religious leaders in
Canada. Arvind Sharma, a professor of comparative religion at McGill
University in Montreal says the Canadian government may be creating
problems for itself. *Listen to CBC "The Link" - Public Radio International
segment at* -
http://www.rcinet.ca/english/column/the-link-s-top-stories/14-49_2012...
*See Prof. Arvind Sharma's book at -*
http://www.springer.com/philosophy/value+theory/book/978-90-481-8992-2

*Komagata **Maru coming to life on new interactive website ( CBC The Link -
March 2012 ) - *
  [image: Picture]
<http://www.rcinet.ca/english/column/the-link-s-top-stories/14-17_2012...>
  British Columbia’s Simon Fraser University has just launched a new
interactive
  website about the Komagata Maru, a ship that arrived in Vancouver in
1914. Most
  of its 376 passengers were from Punjab in what was then British India,
and 352 of
  them were not allowed to disembark in Canada. Upon their arrival back in
India,
  twenty of them were later shot and killed by British officials during a
skirmish at
  the dock. Moninder Bubber is community liaison officer with the Simon
Fraser
  University Library. She tells Carmel Kilkenny from Radio Canada
International how
  this website on the Komagata Maru is unique, and why this event is still
relevant in Canada today.  CBC "The Link" - Radio Canada International (
PRI ) segment -
http://www.rcinet.ca/english/column/the-link-s-top-stories/14-17_2012...
*    Website link - *http://komagatamarujourney.ca/

*2012 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission ( CUPE - March 2012 ) -* in a quick
review of this attached recent contribution to the 2012 Ontario Budget
debates we see several welcome references from our friends at CUPE-Ontario
to the need to acknowledge and address the growing racialized or
"colour-coded" inequities and disparities in Ontario - though unfortunately
in no doubt taking guidance from certain of those allies that continue to
avoid naming race as a ( if not "the" ) key driver of disadvantage - and
thereby "cloaking" this concern in the proxy of "newcomer" or "immigrant" -
the folks at CUPE have in a below excerpt fallen into that trap -
*see* - *Section
- 1.2* - *Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services* ( page 8 )
- "These cuts to services will negatively affect all the people of Ontario.
Women, especially racialized women, will take on a disproportionate amount
of the burden to make-up for social service cuts through providing care in
the home." * Section - 3.6.5* - *Ontario Works* ( p. 23 ) - "Social
assistance cheques will be cut and even fewer people will qualify for
benefits if the province implements the Commission’s recommendations - a
move that would not gel with the McGuinty government’s poverty reduction
strategy. A $179 million funding cut would mean many of Ontario’s poorest
people, the majority of whom are children, women, people with
disabilities,Aboriginal peoples
,* ( what of peoples of colour !? )* and* immigrant populations*, would
have to rely on food banks, that are already stretched to capacity, and
other charities just to survive."  *Section - 3.7* - Equality ( p. 24-25 )
- "The downloading of services and the push to fund only “high priority”
services will negatively impact the quality of life of people from equality
seeking and marginalized communities the most."  "Those that provide
front-line care........are women, many whom are *racialized women* and
recent immigrants."  "........women continue to take home $0.70 for every
dollar earned by men and racialized women early only $0.60 compared to
non-racialized men."  "........front-line service providers ( women, of
whom many are racialized women ) will be the first to face lower
compensation ( including wages, loss of benefits, loss of pay equity
rights, and loss of pension ) through either the casualization of the work,
being forced to work for less, or loss of employment completely."  and  "*Our
communities and economy need a budget commitment for equality to make sure
that the broader public sector workforce reflects the community to which it
is servicing.*"

*Social housing and federal government budget priorities - a petition ( Red
Tent Campaign - March 2012 ) -* attached is a petition that we encourage
you to distribute and sign - part of an initiative organized by the Red
Tent Campaign for affordable housing. Though we need to encourage the folks
at the Campaign to speak more clearly and openly about the considerable
racialized disadvantage of peoples of colour - beyond that as experienced
by First Peoples communities - find more information about their efforts at
- http://defendoursocialhousing.com/

*Current and Critical*

*a) *Ontario Public Service one of Canada's "Best Employers" - For Whom ? (
BOPSers - April 2012 )
*b)* Post-Racial - Americans and Race in the Age of Obama ( The Greenlining
Institute - November 2011 )
*c)* *REMINDER -* CHAMP Action Research Study Actively Recruiting
*d)* A Boy to Be Sacrificed ( New York Times - March 24, 2012 )
*e)* Call for Submissions - by April 22, 2012 - for Black Diaspora
Networking Zone for Global Village International AIDS 2012 Conference (
Washington, DC - July 22-27, 2012 )
*f) *Request for Proposals – First Nations Agricultural Interventions
Research in Canada ( applications due by April 27, 2012 )
*g)* Towards the People’s Summit at Rio+20 - June 15-23, 2012 - Civil
Society Alternatives to the Zero Draft
*h)* Kids on Race - The Hidden Picture - study and series ( Anderson Cooper
360 - April 2-6, 2012 )
*i)* NDP makes the right bet by making Thomas Mulcair its leader ( Toronto
Star - March 24, 2012 )

[image: Description: ltr2]

*a) Ontario Public Service one of Canada’s "Best Employers" - For Whom
?** *According to the
*2011 Human Development Index*, Canada is ranked among the top ten best
countries within which to live. (http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/hdi/ ).
In the realm of public service, for the second year in a row the* Ontario
Public Service ( OPS )* gained recognition as one of Canada’s *Best
Employers for "new" Canadians*. However, there is empirical evidence to
suggest that this is only a *part** *of, not the *entire *picture. The
*OPS*is of course just a microcosmic representation of the wider
society of
which it is a part, and to this extent it mirrors societal
inequalities,wherein with closer examination at the micro level it is
revealed that
there are ever more glaring disparities and inequalities with respect to
various segments of Ontario and Canadian society - specifically inequality
in the treatment, hiring, promotion and retention of racialised employees. *See
a full BOPSers statement attached* - as well as recent correspondences
forwarded from the *Hon. Senator Donald Oliver* related to a BOPSers
December 2011 Town Hall Meeting, which discloses the fact that Premier
Dalton McGuinty, and the Secretary of the Cabinet, Peter Wallace, have both
been made aware of these issues.* A valuable "window of opportunity" to
follow up on and engage the senior provincial leadership on racial equity,
racial justice issues, ever more stark "colour-coded" realities and
critical policy priorities !*
*b) Post-Racial - Americans and Race in the Age of Obama ( The Greenlining
Institute - November 2011 ) -* since the election of Barack Obama as the
United States’ first African American president, there has been much
discussion of whether this means the USA has become a “post-racial”
society. Does race still matter in America ?  This question is particularly
significant in light of the fact that within about three decades, people of
color are projected to become the majority. Policy based on mistaken
assumptions could cripple efforts to revive the USA economy. Using the most
definitive survey data available, the report investigated perceptions of
race in America among different racial and ethnic groups and how those
perceptions compare to measurable realities of USA society. *For full study
see - *
http://greenlining.org/resources/pdfs/AmericansandRaceinAgeofObama.pdf

<http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=264002757012366&set=a.26399267...>
*c) REMINDER - CHAMP Action Research Study Actively Recruiting* - Seeking
active community members from Asian, Black & Latino Communities living
with/affected by HIV/AIDS to join them to evaluate two innovative stigma
reduction interventions !  *Training starting April 2012.* Space Limited !
*CONTACT THEM NOW !! *

 [image: New York Times] <http://www.nytimes.com/>
[image: The Sunday
Review]<http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html#sundayreview>

 *d) A Boy to Be Sacrificed ( New York Times - March 24, 2012 ) -* in the
Morocco of the 1980s, where homosexuality did not, of course, exist, I was
an effeminate little boy, a boy to be sacrificed, a humiliated body who
bore upon himself every hypocrisy, everything left unsaid. By the time I
was 10, though no one spoke of it, I knew what happened to boys like me in
our impoverished society; they were designated victims, to be used, with
everyone’s blessing, as easy sexual objects by frustrated men. And I knew
that no one would save me — not even my parents, who surely loved me. For
them too, I was shame, filth. A “zamel.”  *Read this moving and compelling
piece attached and at -*
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/opinion/sunday/a-boy-to-be-sacrific...
*e) **Call for Submissions for Black Diaspora Networking Zone for Global
Village International AIDS 2012 Conference ( Washington, DC - July 22-27,
2012 ) -* *ABDGN*, the *Black AIDS Institute* and the *Black Diaspora
Regional Working Group for AIDS 2012* have extended the call for
submissions for the Black Diaspora Networking Zone at AIDS 2012 in
Washington DC July 22-27, 2012. *Applications are now due - MONDAY APRIL
22nd, 2012 !!*  The Zone will be a prominent and dynamic space for people
of African descent and African/Caribbean migrant and mobile populations
from around the world. The organizers invite you to submit an activity
proposal to be presented at the Zone during the week of the conference
ranging from poster presentations, facilitated dialogues, cultural
activities, visual arts displays and panel discussions. Be creative and
help make the Black Diaspora Networking Zone a place for inspiration,
action, and global solidarity across its diverse populations and
experiences. *For details and the submission form click here -*
http://bit.ly/HswM5I   *Contact -* African and Black Diaspora Global
Network on HIV and AIDS - 2 Carlton Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario
M5B 1J3,  Tel - 416-525-6662, Fax - 416-593-5867, Website - www.abdgn.org

*f) Request for Proposals – First Nations Agricultural Interventions
Research in Canada ( applications due by April 27, 2012 ) -* *Community
Economic Development in First Nations communities* is a priority for *Heifer
International Canada*’s programmatic portfolio. They are soliciting
proposals to pursue Canada-wide research to help them understand exemplary
or promosing practices that are already in place and determine how *Heifer
International Canada* can be involved in positive change.  Read more

*g) Towards the People’s Summit at Rio+20 - June 15-23, 2012 - Civil
Society Alternatives to the Zero Draft -* during the Rio+20 negotiations
and in the lead-up to the next Rio+20 planning meeting, the
UN-Non-Governmental Liaison Service and Social
Watch<http://www.socialwatch.org/>co-organized a side event entitled
“Towards the People’s
Summit <http://cupuladospovos.org.br/en/> at Rio+20: Civil Society
Alternatives to the Zero Draft.” This event brought together key players
involved in the People’s Summit <http://cupuladospovos.org.br/en/>, a
parallel process to Rio+20 organized by civil society that will take place
15-23 June in Flamingo Park, Rio de Janeiro. Three members of the Brazilian
Civil Society Facilitating Committee for
Rio+20<http://rio20.net/en/autores/brazilian-civil-society-facilitating-comm...>,
along with representatives from La Via Campesina
<http://viacampesina.org/>and IBON
International <http://iboninternational.org/>, shared their views on the
Rio+20 informal negotiations, articulated goals for the conference, and
formulated strategies to include human rights in discussions at Rio and
beyond. *See further information at -*
http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?article3814  *For information on Rio+20 (
June 20-22, 2012 ) see -* http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/  *and - The Road
to Rio e-Newsletter at -*
http://www.un-ngls.org/newsletters/newsletter.php?id=704

*h) "Kids on Race - The Hidden Picture" - study and series ( Anderson
Cooper 360 - April 2-6, 2012 ) -* television journalist Anderson Cooper
details the results of a study commissioned by his program AC360° to
explore children's perception of race in the USA. The week long series - *"*
*Kids on Race - The Hidden Picture*", provides an in-depth look at how
young children interpret ambiguous drawings and understand interracial
friendships. The study aims to answer such questions as these - “Is race a
factor in how children view conflicts and choose friends ?  Do children see
race or are they, as many parents believe, socially colorblind ?  How, when
and why do they form their opinions on race ?  Can those opinions change
over time or at a certain age, are kids “hard-wired” about race ?  And does
the racial make-up of their school and environment affect their opinions on
race ?”  *See the series homepage at -*
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/category/kids-on-race/?hpt=ac_ac3

*i) NDP makes the right bet by making Thomas Mulcair its leader ( Toronto
Star - March 24, 2012 ) -* The New Democratic Party has taken the plunge.
It has entrusted its leadership to the candidate most likely to push and
pull it in new directions, the man who told it frankly to dump the comfy
old “1950s boilerplate” language of the labour and social-democratic
movements and reach out to a much wider universe of voters.In choosing
Thomas Mulcair the NDP did the right thing for its future and for all
Canadians with a stake in seeing a strong, progressive alternative to the
Conservative government. More than anything else, Mulcair held out to New
Democrats something they have never before seriously contemplated on the
federal level – the prospect of actually winning. *See full Opinion piece
attached and at -*
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/1151596--ndp-makes-the-right-b...

*Recent racial justice related tools and resources as well as upcoming
anti-oppressive learning and engagement opportunities taking place around
Ontario - *

*1)* Jump For Jamaica - Jamaican Canadians and supporters Celebrate
Jamaica's 50th Anniversary ( 1962-2012 )
*2)* World Atlas of Gender Equality in Education ( UNESCO-UIS - March -
2012 )
*3)* UN Population Fund ( UNFPA ) launches new website - International
Conference on Population & Development ( ICPD ) Beyond 2014
*4)* “Voices of Youth on Social Justice” on World Day of Social
Justice 2012( International Labour Organization - ILO )
*5) *Children in an Urban World - The State of the World's Children 2012 (
UNICEF - February 2012 )
*6)* Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against
individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity (
UN-OHCHR - November 2011 )
*7)* Tell Us Your Hair Story - Understanding Culture + Community for Black
Youth in Ontario's Systems of Care ( Advocate for Children & Youth - March
2012 )
*8)* *REMINDER -* Checking Our Constitution@30 - The Influence of the
Canadian Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms on
Legislation, Identities and Federalism ( Ottawa - April 17-18, 2012 )
*9)* *REMINDER -* "Taking Real Steps Towards Racial Justice" - ARC Spring
2012 Racial Justice Webinar Series ( On-Line - April 19, 2012 )
*10) *Diverse Spaces - Examining identity, community and citizenship within
Canadian public culture ( Peterborough - April 19-21, 2012 )
*11)* *REMINDER -* Ontario Day of Action Against Cuts ( Queen's Park -
Toronto - April 21, 2012 )
***12)* KANONHSTATON – SIX NATIONS ( The Protected Place ) - May the Sacred
Fire Never End in Your Heart ( Toronto - April 21, 2012 )
*13)* UN Conference on Trade And Development - UNCTAD XIII ( Doha, Qatar -
April 21-26, 2012 )
*14)* Activism in Education - Pushing Limits in Increasingly Conservative
Times Symposium ( Toronto - April 25, 2012 )
*15)* OHRC Policy on Competing Human Rights - launch invitation ( Toronto -
April 26, 2012 )
*16)* Transcending Borders Towards Discovering Sustainable Pathways from
Local to Global Health Conference ( London - April 27-29, 2012 )
*17) REMINDER -* Equity & Inclusive Education - From Policy to Practice
Conference ( Toronto - May 3-5, 2012 )
*18)* Mission to Canada - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the
Right to Food ( cross Canada visit - May 6-16, 2012 )
*19)* We.Will.Now presents the 2012 Refocus Fashion Show ( Toronto - May 9,
2012 )
*20) *Heifer International Canada - Call for Small Grants Applications –
Ontario ( applications due by May 11, 2012 )
*21)* Jamaica 50th Anniversary Schools Fundraising Concert ( Toronto - May
25, 2012 )
*22)* *REMINDER -* Our Dreams Matter Too - A Walk for Culturally Based
Equity for First Nations Children ( Toronto - June 11, 2012 )
*23)* *REMINDER -* Ethnic Identity Formation and Change in Canada and
Abroad ( Niagara-on-the-Lake - November 23-24, 2012 ) - *Call for
presentations by August 1, 2012 !!*
*24)* METRAC Workplace Inclusion Conference 2012 ( Markham - September
20-21, 2012 )
*25)* *REMINDER -* Facing Race. Define Justice. Make Change Conference -
organized by the Applied Research Center ( Baltimore - November 15-17, 2012
)

*1) Jump For Jamaica - Jamaican Canadians & supporters celebrate Jamaica's
50th Anniversary** ( 1962-2012 ) - *the *Jamaica 50 Celebration* Inc. is a
not-for-profit organization that has established a Steering Committee for
Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area to plan an exciting and wide-ranging
program of events and activities. The Committee’s goal is to show case the
outstanding contributions of Jamaicans in Canada; to foster tourism to
Jamaica; to encourage youth of Jamaican heritage to be better informed and
to support Jamaica; and to provide a legacy to Jamaica and Canada through
charitable and other social and cultural initiatives. The Committee will
also collaborate with various community organizations in celebrating the
50th anniversary. *For more information about the various activities taking
place see *- http://jamaica50.ca/

*2) World Atlas of Gender Equality in Education ( UNESCO-UIS - March - 2012
) - *in the context of International Women’s Day, the *United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (
**UNESCO<http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/>
** )* and the* **UNESCO <http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/> Institute
for Statistics ( UIS <http://www.uis.unesco.org/>** )* jointly launched the
*World Atlas of Gender Equality in
Education<http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/Documents/gender-atlas-2012-web2-...>
*. Featuring over 120 maps, charts and tables on a wide range of
sex-disaggregated indicators, the Atlas draws attention to continuing
gender disparities, especially in terms of the educational pathways and
progression of girls and boys.

*3) UN Population Fund ( UNFPA ) launches new website - International
Conference on Population & Development ( ICPD ) Beyond 2014 - *
[image: Inline] ICPD Beyond 2014 <http://icpdbeyond2014.org/> - is the
official website for the UNFPA-led global review process of the International
Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action
(PoA)<http://www.unfpa.org/public/home/sitemap/icpd/International-Conferenc...>.
The website details the progress of the Cairo vision to improve the lives
of all people and aims to consolidate comprehensive information and
personal reflections about the continuing relevance of the *PoA*. The site
is open for engagement and contributions from UNFPA partners, stakeholders,
and the general public. *More information is available at - *
http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?article3770

*4) International Labour Organization ( ILO ) highlights “Voices of Youth
on Social Justice” on World Day of Social Justice 2012 -* on February 20,
2012 - *World Day of Social Justice* - the ILO
<http://www.ilo.org/>launched the video - “Voices
of Youth on Social
Justice<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UHlNOBMecg&list=PLFCB380AFEAF2D1D7&in...>”
- which features the voices of young people explaining what social justice
means to them, what challenges they face and their message to the
international community. The video is part of a campaign inviting young
people to share their own views on social justice – whether in the form of
a message of hope, *a call of action*, or in the form of advice.
Moreover,it joins a series of perspectives on what social justice
means and how it
might be achieved in the years to come. More perspectives will be added
throughout 2012. *More information is available at -*
http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?article3776

*5) Children in an Urban World - The State of the World's Children 2012 (
UNICEF - February 2012 ) -** **The State of the World’s
Children<http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/files/SOWC_2012-Main_Report_EN_21...>
*, the annual flagship report of the United Nations Children’s Fund (
UNICEF<http://www.unicef.org/>) was dedicated in 2012 to - “Children
in an Urban World” - drawing
attention to the fact that over a billion children are living in a more and
more urbanized world. “Already, half of all people live in urban areas. By
mid-century, over two thirds of the global population will call these
places home,” the report explains. Cities are often perceived as a synonym
for economic growth, development and employment. However, in reality, not
all children are benefitting form urban growth. In this regard, the report
draws attention to the fact that many children living in cities still lack
access to education, health and sanitation. With different graphs and
statistical tables the report aims to show the reality in which children in
an urban world live; the challenges they face; and the main urban problems
that affect their lives. The report also presents a number of examples of
initiatives that try to improve the quality of life of these children; and
it identifies policies that are needed to address urban disparities. *See
more at -* http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?article3780

*6) Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against
individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity (
UN-OHCHR - November 2011 ) -*

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released
“Discriminatory
laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their
sexual orientation and gender identity”, the first ever United Nations
report addressing the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) people. The report, submitted to the Human Rights
Council for its nineteenth session (to be held in Geneva in March 2012),
highlights the ongoing and vicious homophobic and transphobic violence and
discriminatory practices fuelled by people’s sexual orientation or gender
identity – practices that are insufficiently addressed and condemned by
Member States. *See full Report and a Backgrounder at -*
http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?page=article_s&id_article=3631

<http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?page=article_s&id_article=3631>
 *7) REMINDER - Tell Us Your **Hair Story - Share Your Experience as a
Black Youth in Care ( **Provincial Advocate for Children & Youth -
**submissions
due May 31, 2012 ) -* the Provincial Advocate for Children & Youth's Office
exciting youth outreach and engagement initiative launched during Black
History Month - entitled, “*Hairstory - Understanding Culture and Community
- Black Youth in Ontario’s Systems of Care*”. The goal of “Hairstory” is to
bring together Black youth who have lived in care, currently live in care
or are involved with the Youth Justice System, Children’s Mental Health
Services or the Shelter System, to dialogue with other young people and
prominent community leaders about culture and community and the barriers
Black youth face within Ontario's systems of care. The Advocate's Office
wants to work with young people to help instill pride, positive feelings
about their identity and get involved in changing Ontario’s systems of care
to better support Black youth. We want young people to talk about their
hair care experience by asking, "*If my hair could talk, what would it say?*"
We also want young people to talk about their overall experiences within
Ontario's systems of care. You may wish to reflect on the knowledge staff
have about caring for the hair of Black youth or about the positive or not
so positive experiences you have had as a young person who identifies as
being part of the "Black Community”. *HERE's HOW* - 1. *Submit a story, a
video, or a voice recording *of why you are the ideal person to participate
in “*Hairstory*”.  2. *You can talk about your experience in care* - be it
in a group home, being involved in the youth justice system, the child
welfare system, the children's mental health system, the shelter system or
the system of services that are in place to address the needs of children
with disabilities. 3. Send us your *submission by May 31st 2012.*  4. We
have a panel of young people who will review all submissions we receive and
select 10 young people who will join us on the first day of the two day “*
Hairstory*” event.  5. Those not attending the first day, don't get
discouraged, we want to invite you to attend Day two of our “*Hairstory*”
weekend.  It is on Day two we want to bring everyone together for the panel
presentation and a bigger discussion of the issues that were raised in all
of your submissions. This is an unique and exciting opportunity to have
your voice heard and to be a part of a movement to create change. Please
look at the videos we have online, talk to your friends, talk about your
experiences and plan to join us for “*Hairstory*” and amplify your voice
and your concerns. *Check out -*
http://provincialadvocate.on.ca/storyofmyhair/index.htm  and
http://www.facebook.com/storyofmyhair  *Contact -* Erica Smith - Strategic
Development Department, Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and
Youth - 401 Bay Street, Suite 2200, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y4 - *Tel *-
416-325-5985 <http://www.facebook.com/storyofmyhair>  *Toll Free* -
1-800-263-2841  *Fax -* 416-325-5681*  TTY* - 416-325-2648  *Email - *
erica.sm...@provincialadvocate.on.ca  Also - *see attached !*

*8) REMINDER - Checking Our Constitution@30 - The Influence of the Canadian
Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms on Legislation,
Identities and Federalism** ( Ottawa - April 17-18, 2012 ) -*  April 17th,
2012 will mark the 30th anniversary of the patriation of the Canadian
Constitution and the creation of a Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The
Constitution and Charter have had a profound impact on our law and public
policy. Many Canadians view the Constitution and the Charter of Rights as
shaping important aspects of our collective identity and defining a set of
shared values. For the most part, Canadians hold a favorable opinion of the
Constitution and Charter. Yet many see these defining documents as
divisive. How have the debates over the Constitution shaped our
identities?  Have the Constitution and Charter of Rights strengthened or
weakened Canadian democracy and Federalism? What have the Constitution and
Charter meant for women, *aboriginals*, and language minorities, ethnic and
*visible minorities*, *religious groups* and *new Canadians*? What role
have the Courts played in the interpretation of the Constitution, and how
has the Charter transformed the judiciary in Canada? Has the distinction
between Law and Politics become blurred over the past thirty years? Are the
courts becoming more or less accessible to the public? Are there benefits
to an unwritten constitution? How has the Constitution affected the balance
of powers in Canada, and the dynamics of federalism?  For more information
see -
http://www.acs-aec.ca/en/events/other-events/checking-our-constitutio...
<http://www.acs-aec.ca/en/events/other-events/checking-our-constitutio...>

  <https://arc.secure.force.com/checkout/resource/1330459647000/Spring20...>
*
9) REMINDER - “Taking Real Steps** Towards Racial Justice”** ( April 19,
2012 - **1pm ET/**10am PT ) -* most people want to eliminate racism, but
are not sure *what *to do or *how* to do it. Racism often occurs without
consciousness or malice, but creating racial justice requires clarity and
methodology.  *For further webinar details see -* http://arc.org/webinars

*10) Diverse Spaces - **Examining identity, community and citizenship
within Canadian public culture ( Peterborough - **April 19-21, 2012 ) - *a
conference bringing together a diverse range of academics,
community leaders, culture/heritage workers and students to discuss
multiculturalism in Canadian public cultural sites and institutions.
Drawing on interdisciplinary fields presentations will interrogate the
spaces, the structures, the goals, the practices, the people and the
processes of public cultural and heritage spaces on local community. KEYNOTE
SPEAKERS - *Rinaldo Walcott*, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in
Education, OISE-University of Toronto - *"Toward the Multicultural Public
Good - **Race, Caste and the Canadian Public Sphere"; and - *Mo
Dhaliwal, Vancouver
International Bhangra Celebration Society, Vancouver - *"Shattering
Barriers between People - **The Arts and Diverse Cultural Spaces". *Organized
by the Frost Centre for Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies, Trail
College, Trent University - Peterborough. *See information and registration
details at - *http://diversespaces.com/

 *11) Ontario Day of Action Against Cuts ( Queen's Park - Toronto - April
21, 2012 ) - *from the Ontario Federation of Labour - your help is needed
in building a broad‐based opposition to Premier McGuinty’s upcoming budget
cuts and austerity agenda. After hiring banker Don Drummond - who made
nearly 400 recommendations targeting jobs and public services, Premier
McGuinty is preparing to table a budget that offers prosperity for banks
and corporations but austerity for the rest of us. The looming cuts will
jeopardize every aspect of society - from health care to full‐day
kindergarten to pensions. They will destroy the social safety net at a time
when many Ontarians need support.* And of course the effect of these cuts
will be most strongly felt by First Peoples and peoples of colour, women,
other equity ‐ seeking groups and everyone who is struggling to make ends
meet*. The projected public service layoffs will disproportionately affect
the peoples of colour and First Peoples who are over-represented among the
more recently hired ( the very limited gains of the current
quasi-employment equity initiatives at the province !? ) as well as women -
who make up 8 out of 10 front line services providers and administrators.
However, *it is the loss of services that will hurt our communities most* -
cuts to child care will impact single‐parents, cuts to special education
will target those with disabilities *and cuts to education and health
care*will hurt most Ontarians - but
again *First Peoples* and *peoples of colour* much more severely !!
*Opposition
to these cuts is about defending equity and human rights in our Province*.
We need to be ready for a long political struggle against the austerity
agenda. Community‐labour partnerships are going to be an important part of
building a successful and broad‐based opposition. the Ontario Federation of
Labour needs each of your endorsements and assistance in mobilizing for a *Day
of Action Against Cuts* on Saturday, April 21, from 3 to 5 pm – Queen’s
Park, Toronto. Please send your endorsement to Duncan MacDonald at the
Ontario Federation of Labour - 4164437668  or  dmacdon...@ofl.ca.  The
call‐out document, posters and flyers for April 21 may be downloaded from
the OFL website at - www.OFL.ca <http://www.ofl.ca/>.  *You can support the
Day of Action by -* Passing an emergency motion to support the Day of
Action; Printing rally flyers and distributing them at every meeting, event
and action; Inviting friends on Facebook - http://on.fb.me/A21NoCuts ;
Featuring the Day of Action on your website and Facebook page; Appointing
an organizer to coordinate your members and community; Bringing signs,
banners and flags to show support !!  *For questions about mobilizing and
logistics, contact -* Laurie Hardwick - 4164437657  or  lhardw...@ofl.ca  *To
register your buses with the OFL, contact -* Carrol Anne Sceviour -
4164437670  or  cscevi...@ofl.ca  Help to mobilize your members, your
families, your friends and communities to stop the cuts and put Ontario on
the road to equitable economic recovery. The ramifications of budget cuts
and the Drummond Commission must be understood, challenged and defeated by
the people of Ontario. *Our collective future depends on it !!*  *See
explanatory letter of invitation attached.**
*

*12) KANONHSTATON - SIX NATIONS ( The Protected Place ) - May the Sacred
Fire Never End in Your Heart ( Toronto - **April 21, 2012 ) -* on April
20th, 2006 the peoples of the *Six Nations Grand River Territory* were
violently raided by the Ontario Provincial Police at the reclamation of a
small piece of land known as the Douglas Creek Estates, renamed *
Kanonhstaton* or *The Protected Place*. The former Douglas Creek Estates
were at the edge of a settler town known as Caledonia, bordering the *Six
Nations Reserve of Oshweken*, the largest native reserve in Canada. Ongoing
displacement and encroachment of *Six Nations* peoples - in direct
violation of the Haldimand Proclamation of 1784 - lead to the uprising in
defense of the land. The reclamation sparked one of the biggest
demonstrations of indigenous resistance to ongoing colonial encroachment
since the Oka Crisis of 1990. The films document these events and the
speakers from *Six Nations of the Grand River Territory* speak to their
continuing strength, dignity and courage in the struggle - “*Day Zero - the
Invasion. Six Nations Reclamation*” by Jon Jeex ( 7:00pm ), “*Inside the
Reclamation*” by Alicia Elliott ( 8:00pm )  *Where -* Graduate Students
Union - Harvest Noon Cafe - 16 Bancroft Avenue ( east of Spadina, north of
College ), Toronto. *See - *http://wccctoronto.wordpress.com/
*
*[image: Report of the Secretary-General of UNCTAD to UNCTAD XIII]
*13) UN Conference on Trade And Development - UNCTAD XIII ( Doha, Qatar -
April 21-26, 2012 ) -* "A true break" with the prevailing thinking behind
the global economic system over the past 30 years and a shift to a reformed
system of "development-centred globalization" that allows more stable and
inclusive economic progress is needed as the world recovers from recession,
the Secretary-General of UNCTAD said in a recent report for the upcoming
UNCTAD conference - *"....'business as usual' is the wrong response, both
for short-term macroeconomic and for long-term structural, social and
environmental reasons. The interconnected challenges of rebalancing
financial systems and real economies, repairing domestic social contracts,
and tackling environmental, demographic and food challenges cannot be dealt
with through the incremental and discrete actions which are** typical of
the interplay of market forces."*  *"....in our interdependent world, a
more secure and inclusive global economy requires strong international
leadership and carries collective responsibilities. **See the Civil Society
Forum* ( April 17-25, 2012 ) at -
http://unctadxiii.org/en/Pages/Civil%20Society/Civil-Society-Portal.aspx
*For general information -
* http://unctadxiii.org/en/Pages/home.aspx

*14) Activism in Education - Pushing Limits in Increasingly Conservative
Times Symposium ( Toronto - April 25 - 6:00-8:00pm, 2012 ) -*  *Educating
Citizens in Global Times for Knowing, Caring, and Acting **( by James Banks
) -* James Banks holds the Chair in Diversity Studies and is Founding
Director of the Center for Multicultural Education at the University of
Washington, Seattle. He is a past President of the American Educational
Research Association (AERA) and a specialist in social studies education
and in multicultural education. His most recent book is entitled, Diversity
and Citizenship Education - Global Perspectives - Teaching Strategies for
Ethnic Studies. James Banks’ fundamental principles for developing
inclusive curriculum have been a foundation for equity work across many
school districts and teacher education programs in Ontario. *Occupy
Education ( by Judy Rebick ) -* Judy Rebick is a well-known Canadian social
justice activist, writer, educator and speaker - currently the Eakin Fellow
in Canadian Studies at McGill University. She is also part of the Media
panel on CBC radio’s Q. Her latest book is Transforming Power - From the
Personal to the Political. Judy Rebick is the founding publisher of
rabble.ca, Canada’s well known independent online news and discussion site,
she is perhaps best known to Canadians as a former president of the
National Action Committee on the Status of Women, Canada’s largest women’s
group. For more information - *see this
link<http://cus.oise.utoronto.ca/Events/W._Waters_Symposium_on_Urban_Educa...>
*- and - *location -* Isabel Bader Theatre - 93 Charles St. W., Toronto (
just east of the Museum Subway Station ) - and to *RSVP -*
wwsymposium.o...@utoronto.ca  ( space is limited )
*

*

*[image: cid:image002....@01CD1191.E735DF50]***
*15) Policy on competing human rights ( Toronto - April 26, 2012 ) - *as
people better understand their rights and wish to exercise them, some of
those rights may appear to conflict with the rights of others. This is
especially true in Ontario’s increasingly diverse and complex society.
Conflicts can begin when an individual or group tries to enjoy or exercise
a right, interest |or value in an organizational context ( such as in
schools, employment or housing ). At times, these claims may be in
conflict, or may appear to be in conflict with other claims. For example,
the rights to be free from discrimination based on creed or sexual
orientation or gender may seem to be at odds with each other or with other
rights, laws and practices. The goal of the OHRC's policy is to provide
organizations, policy makers, litigants, adjudicators and others a clear,
user-friendly guide on how to assess, handle and resolve competing rights
claims. The policy will help educational institutions and individuals deal
with everyday situations of competing rights, and avoid the time and
expense of bringing a legal challenge before a court or human rights
decision-maker. The policy provides a framework for addressing competing
rights situations that can be used as is, or adapted to meet the specific
needs of an institution. **The *Ontario Human Rights Commission* and
the *Centre
for Human Rights at York University* invite you to the launch of the *OHRC*’s
new *Policy on Competing Human Rights* -* in person or via webcast*
-Thursday April 26, 2012, 9:30 – 12:30 p.m.
*Location -*** Tribute Communities Recital Hall - Fine Arts Accolade East
Building - 83 York Boulevard, York University, 4700 Keele Street,
Toronto. Webcast
link information will be sent on receipt of your confirmation. *RSVP by
April 13, 2012 to -* communicati...@ohrc.on.ca <vicky.masel...@ohrc.on.ca>
*Politique sur les droits de la personne contradictoires **de la CODP ( Toronto
- ** Le jeudi 26 avril 2012 ) -* À mesure que les gens comprennent mieux
leurs droits et entendent les exercer, il peut sembler que certains de ces
droits entrent en conflit avec les droits d’autrui. Cela s’applique tout
particulièrement à la société de plus en plus diversifiée et complexe de
l’Ontario. Des conflits peuvent survenir lorsqu’une personne ou un groupe
tente de se prévaloir d’un droit ou d’agir selon des valeurs ou des
intérêts précis). Parfois, ces revendications peuvent être en conflit avec
celles d’autres personnes, ou sembler l’être. Selon les circonstances, par
exemple, les droits de ne pas subir de discrimination fondée sur la
croyance, l’orientation sexuelle ou le sexe peuvent sembler entrer en
opposition les uns avec les autres, ou avec d’autres droits, lois et
pratiques. L’objectif de la politique de la CODP est de fournir aux
organismes, décisionnaires, parties à un différend, arbitres et autres
décisionnaires un guide claire et convivial sur la façon d’évaluer, de
traiter et de résoudre des situations de droits contradictoires. La
politique aidera les établissements d’enseignement et particuliers à faire
face à des situations courantes de droits contradictoires et à éviter de
consacrer temps et argent au dépôt d’un recours judiciaire devant un
tribunal ou une autre entité chargée de trancher en matière de droits de la
personne. La politique offre un cadre d’intervention en situation de droits
contradictoires pouvant être utilisé dans sa forme actuelle ou adapté aux
besoins spécifiques d’un établissement.* La Commission des droits de la
personne de l’Ontario* et* le Centre for Human Rights de l’Université York*
vous invite au lancement de la - *Politique sur les droits de la personne
contradictoires **de la CODP*.** Nous vous invitons à assister *en personne
ou par webémission* au lancement de la politique - Le jeudi 26 avril 2012,
de 9 h 30 – 12 h 30  * **Endroit -* Tribute Communities Recital Hall - Fine
Arts Accolade East Building - 83, boulevard York, Université York, 4700,
rue Keele. Le lien à la webémission vous sera transmis sur réception de
votre confirmation. *Veuillez confirmer votre présence d’ici le 13 avril
2012 à -* communicati...@ohrc.on.ca

*16) Transcending Borders Towards Global Health - **Discovering Sustainable
Pathways from Local to Global ( London - April 27-29, 2012 ) -
*

**

 The conference that aims to advance awareness and knowledge of *Global
Health* issues, locally and abroad by engaging members of the global health
community, other academics and professionals across different disciplines
to share their innovative ideas and concepts on the dynamics of* Global
Health *and the socio-ecological determinants that impact health
worldwide.  Sub-themes
will include a range of interdisciplinary topics - International Health &
Ethics, *Marginalized & Healthy Communities*, EcoHealth, Education, *Advocacy
& Policy*. The idea to host an international conference began with a vision
and belief that through co-operation, discussion, the creation of linkages
and partnerships, *active components for change to solve global health
problems both locally and internationally could be fostered*. All those
interested in Global Health are welcome to
register<http://www.transcendingborders.ca/registration.php>.
Confirmed keynote speakers and plenary panellists
<http://www.transcendingborders.ca/speakers.php>include
- Dr. Karen Hill - Aboriginal Health, World Health Organization Director
General, Dr. Margaret Chan (Video Message), Dr. Danielle Martin - Chair of
Canadian Doctors for Medicare, Dr. Ted Schrecker - Author of "Fatal
Indifference - The G8, Africa & Health" & Coordinator of the GKN of the WHO
Commission on Social Determinants of Health, Kenise Murphy - "Migrating to
Ontario Over the Age of 50 - Implications for physical and mental health",
Kathryn Edmunds - "We Want People to Know - The Lives and Health of Women
Temporary Agricultural Workers in Southwestern Ontario" and - Dr. Jeff
Turnbull, Founder of the Ottawa Inner City Health Project & former CMA
President. *Also featuring* - Seeds of Hope: Visions of sustainability,
steps toward change - a new, full-colour and interactive exhibit inspired
by the Earth Charter that stresses our interconnectedness with the rest of
the community of life and *the need to broaden our sphere of compassion and
concern*. It will be on display throughout the Transcending Borders
conference. The key message "It starts with one," encourages viewers to
overcome feelings of powerlessness and highlights the fact that a single
individual can initiate positive change. The conference organizing
committee is passionate about global health and the pursuit of promoting
equity, justice, participation, and access to health care for at-risk and
under-served populations through culturally respectful forms of exchange
and partnership by advocating for ethical and sustainable methods to
address global health issues. *For more information visit -*
www<http://www.transcendingborders.ca/>
. <http://www.transcendingborders.ca/>transcendingborders<http://www.transcendingborders.ca/>
. <http://www.transcendingborders.ca/>ca<http://www.transcendingborders.ca/>
*or contact -* Ellena Andoniou at - *Phone -* 519-661-2111 ext 89135  or  *
E-mail* - globalhe<https://iwc.uwo.ca/iwc_static/layout/main.html?lang=en&02.01_184110&>
alth <https://iwc.uwo.ca/iwc_static/layout/main.html?lang=en&02.01_184110&>@<https://iwc.uwo.ca/iwc_static/layout/main.html?lang=en&02.01_184110&>
schulich<https://iwc.uwo.ca/iwc_static/layout/main.html?lang=en&02.01_184110&>
. <https://iwc.uwo.ca/iwc_static/layout/main.html?lang=en&02.01_184110&>uwo<https://iwc.uwo.ca/iwc_static/layout/main.html?lang=en&02.01_184110&>
. <https://iwc.uwo.ca/iwc_static/layout/main.html?lang=en&02.01_184110&>ca<https://iwc.uwo.ca/iwc_static/layout/main.html?lang=en&02.01_184110&>
*
*

**

**

*17) REMINDER - EQUITY AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION - From Policy to Practice (
Toronto - May 3-5, 2012 ) - * the *Toronto District School Board FUTURES
2012 Conference *is taking place at the Allstream Centre in the Exhibition
Grounds at the CNE in Toronto on May 3 - 5, 2012. As hoped for the
conference has captured the interest of school boards from across the
province. The *keynote speakers* include - Sylvia Maracle, Tim Wise, Uzma
Shakir, Dr. Wayne Hammond, Connor Steele, Dr. Pedro Noguera and the TDSB
Director, Dr. Chris Spence, *see attached*.**  For up-to-date conference
information* visit -* www.tdsbFUTURES.com <http://www.tdsbfutures.com/>

*18) Mission to Canada - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right
to Food ( cross Canada visit - May 6-16, 2012 ) - *

From May 6th to 16th, Olivier de Schutter, the United Nations Special
Rapporteur on the Right to Food, will be conducting a formal country
mission to Canada - including stops in* **Ottawa,* Montreal, *Toronto*,
Winnipeg, Edmonton and the Island Lakes Region. He and his team will be
looking at issues including - economic accessibility and poverty; Aboriginal
peoples and the right to food; organization of food chains; governance,
policies and programs; and international development, trade and investment.
A coordinating committee, including *Food Secure Canada*, is assisting in
convening a series of meetings with civil society across the country. For
more information about the right to food and the mission to Canada,
including how to send submission to the Special Rapporteur, click
here<http://foodsecurecanada.org/un-right-food-mission-coming-canada>
.
*Making the link between Canada’s current failure to respect, protect and
fulfill the right to food for all  – and the need for the People’s Food
Policy – is a powerful message to bring to our elected officials and the
media across the country at this key time. *

Sign up to participate<http://foodsecurecanada.org/webform/resetting-table-stirring-pot>in
a pan-Canadian call about how to promote the
*People's Food Policy* to your MP.  Download some useful background
information and how to get involved -
here<http://foodsecurecanada.org/sites/foodsecurecanada.org/files/FSC_RTF_...>
.
 19) We.Will.Now presents the 2012 Refocus Fashion Show Wednesday, May 9,
2012 - from 4:45 PM to 8:30 PM
 Art Gallery of Ontario/Weston Family Learning Centre - 317 Dundas Street
West, Toronto

*Tickets are free*. *Visit -* wewillnow.com  or  2012refocus.eventbrite.com
-  to reserve your tickets.
   [image: We.Will.Now presents the 2012 Refocus Fashion Show]
*Vimeo -* http://vimeo.com/38552668
*YouTube -*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZnBLBUJLRo&context=C4926a02ADvjVQa1P...
*We.Will.Now -* www.wewillnow.com

A team of dynamic, creative, and passionate young people were brought
together earlier this year, and they became the "*Refocus Team*". They
worked together, learned from one another, and began to create the symbols
that will be known throughout the city to represent the social causes that
they are passionate about. For one night only, the *Refocus Team* is
attempting to bring a diverse group of people together and hopefully
getting them to "refocus" on what matters. The event will feature a
one-of-a-kind fashion show, entertainment, light refreshments, and
networking ( you will actually get to meet and talk to the stars of the
night - the amazing Refocus team ). And one more thing, I heard a few
whispers....and apparently they are going to be giving away some of the
items that you will see on the runway. But, I don't like to start rumours,
so forget I said that - *What are you waiting for ?  Get your tickets today
!!*  *PLEASE NOTE -* the use of video/camera equipment during the fashion
show is strictly prohibited. Media professionals and/or organizations
interested in capturing the event must pre-register. A limited number of
Media passes will be available. Media passes will allow you to capture the
fashion show ONLY, the networking portion of the event and backstage
activities are not accessible to media pass holders. *To pre-register
please send an email to -* i...@wewillnow.ca - with "Media Pass request" in
the subject line. *We.Will.Now ( WWN )* is a non-profit organization
focused on supporting and encouraging visible minority young people from
under-resourced communities to become more socially and civically engaged
in global development. Our objective is to provide quality learning
opportunities both locally and abroad that strengthen communities and
individuals to be self-sustaining leaders. *WWN* works to create innovative
cross-cultural programs, projects and events that meet the needs of
marginalized groups throughout the world, supports the priorities within
the respective communities, and also allows for information sharing and
dialogue.

*20) Heifer International Canada - Call for Small Grants Applications -
Ontario ( applications due - May 11, 2012 ) -* *Heifer International
Canada*is soliciting applications for up to $5,000 from Ontario-based
organizations with charitable status. Eligible applicants are pursuing
projects with a goal to assist people in need to engage in* food-oriented
income generating activities as a sustainable pathway out of poverty*.
Read more >><http://www.heifercanada.org/docs/Call%20for%20Small%20Grant%20Applica...>

*21) Jamaica 50th Anniversary Schools Fundraising Concert ( Toronto - May
25, 2012 ) -* you are cordially invited by the Kay Morris Foundation to its
*Jamaica 50th Anniversary Celebration Schools Fundraising Concert* on
Friday, May 25, 2012, at 7:00pm - at the *Jamaican Canadian Association
(JCA)*, 995 Arrow Road, Toronto. All are welcome - media, special guests,
Jamaicans, friends of Jamaica, people within the African Diaspora,
international and local artists and all others to a historic night of
celebration of Jamaica. This "gold carpet - star studded" event will
feature a stellar line up of local and international artists such as -
Marcia Brown, Kay Morris, Pastor John Taylor, Marvia Providence, Korexion,
Dwayne Morgan, Nadine Williams, Liberty Silver, Jimmy Lala, and Patrick
Blair. International artist - Landlord - from the Bahamas - will be the
featured artist - all MC'd by both Allan Jones of G98.7FM and Bro. Gee of
CIUT 89.5FM. Please come out and share in this historic event as they
celebrate and raise funds to support elementary school students in Jamaica
- to purchase computers and lap tops in support of library & computer lab
project in these schools. *For information contact -*
i...@kaymorrisfoundation.com or call - 416-844-7038.*

* *22) **
*[image: Our Dreams Matter Too]
 *Our Dreams Matter Too - A Walk for Culturally Based Equity for First
Nations Children ( Toronto - June 11, 2012 ) -* Aboriginal children lag
behind their non-Aboriginal peers in academic performance and health
status, and they are overrepresented in the child welfare system – there
are approximately eight times more Aboriginal children in government care
than other children. Aboriginal child welfare programs are chronically
underfunded, preventing First Nations children from having the same chance
to succeed. Some research indicates that Aboriginal child welfare receives
22% less funding than non-Aboriginal child welfare services. On June 11,
2012 at 11:00am, students from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
at the University of Toronto, the School of Social Work at Ryerson
University, and the School of Social Work at York University, will be
hosting *a walk for First Nation children’s cultural equity*, on behalf of
the *First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada ( FNCFCS )*.
Participants will walk together to Queen’s Park where they will submit
letters to the Prime Minister and/or MP in support of First Nations
children. A mail box designed by children, representing the dreams, hope
and dignity of First Nations children, will be at the finish line for
participants to post their letters. We hope to have 500+ people walk in
support of Aboriginal children and send 1000 letters to the Prime Minister
and local MPs asking them to support Aboriginal children. *Registration for
the event is free*. If you are interested in joining the walk, getting
assembly times and locations, registering as an individual or as part of a
team -* email -* walkforFNchild...@gmail.com - *for information* - or with
your name and/or team members’ names, your organization (optional) and
contact information. *See -* *Equity for 1st Nations Children - Human
Rights Complaint - Briefing Note
#1<http://www.fncaringsociety.com/news/canadian-human-rights-complaint-e...>
(
FNCFCS - August 2011 )* - as well as* -*
http://www.facebook.com/events/250861198327638/ * For fuller background see
-* Our Dreams Matter Too - First Nations childrens rights, lives &
education<http://web.uvic.ca/icwr/docs/research/OurDreams-LoRes.pdf>
and  Honouring the Children - Shadow Report on Canada to UN Committee on
the Rights of the
Child<http://www.kairoscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/DR-IR-11-10-Ho...>

*23) Ethnic Identity Formation and Change in Canada and Abroad (
Niagara-on-the-Lake - November 23-24, 2012 ) -* the Association for
Canadian studies and the Canadian Ethnic Studies Association invite
proposals for their joint annual conference entitled - *Ethnic Identity
Formation and Change in Canada and Abroad* - to be held November 23-24,
2012 at the White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa, Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ontario. The organizers welcome proposals for papers, sessions, panels,
roundtables, poster and video presentations that address the topics of *ethnic
identity*, immigration, *diversity*, and multiculturalism in Canada and
internationally. Welcomes topics include ethnic identity, identity
formation, immigration, *racism*, *discrimination*, social justice,
*Indigenous Peoples
*, second- and third-generation issues, and Francophone identity.
Organizers invite submissions from a variety of perspectives, academic
disciplines, and areas of study, including the humanities and the social
sciences. Travel assistance is available for some domestic presenters, the
amount to be determined based on number of participants. The conference
should be relevant to a wide range of people with a critical interest in
ethnicity, *race*, immigration, *multiculturalism*, and related diversity
issues in Canada, particularly as they intersect with issues of
multiculturalism. Abstracts should be 250 words. Individual conference
presentations will normally be 20 minutes in length, and conference
sessions will be 90 minutes. *Visit -* cesa.uwinnipeg.ca  *or*
http://www.acs-aec.ca/en/events/acs-annual-conference/ethnic-identity...
for more information  -  or *contact  - * James Ondrick, Director of
Programs, Association for Canadian Studies - james.ondr...@acs-aec.ca   *
Deadline for submission of proposals for papers, sessions, roundtables, and
poster presentations is August 1, 2012.*

*24) METRAC Workplace Inclusion Conference 2012 ( Markham - September
20-21, 2012 ) - *

 *METRAC* invites you to their first annual *Workplace Inclusion
Conference*- a two-day event in September with 14 concurrent workshops
and 4 panel
discussions - skill-building sessions which will provide you with must-have
knowledge and tools that you can take back into your organization. The
panel discussions offer idea-exchanges with organizations that have
implemented a range of workplace inclusion initiatives. These non-profit
and public sector organizations will offer practical insights into the
benefits and challenges of undertaking these initiatives. See conference
registration package attached - with workshop descriptions and information
about the trainers and keynote speakers. *See -*
http://www.metrac.org/upcoming/downloads/workplace.inclusion.conferen...

**
*25) *
 [image: Facing Race 2012 National Conference]

   - Summary <https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/facingrace/54844/>
   - Program <https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/facingrace/54845/>
   - Hotel/Lodging <https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/facingrace/54846/>
   - FAQ <https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/facingrace/54847/>
   - Press <https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/facingrace/56770/>
   - Register Now<https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=32931>

*EVENT DETAILS*
*Facing Race 2012*
November 15-17, 2012
Baltimore, MD
USA
Keynote Speaker:
Junot Diaz

*EVENT DESCRIPTION*
Join us on November 15-17, 2012, at the Baltimore Hilton!

Facing Race is a conference like no other – it is the largest national,
multi-racial gathering of leaders, educators, journalists, and activists on
racial justice. And this year we are especially excited to be welcoming
keynote speaker Junot Diaz!

Baltimore is the perfect setting for Facing Race 2012 because of its deep
history in the racial justice movement and continued efforts to curtail
institutional and structural racism.

For more information, Click here <http://www.arc.org/content/view/2287/180/>

 “America's failings to substantively address the continuing challenges of
race emerges from a lack of shared vocabulary and experiences, collective
understanding of the difference between personal attitudes and systematic
discrimination, common data about racial inequity, and historical knowledge
about how power and privilege operate,” said Harris-Lacewell. “Most
importantly, however, we lack a collective vision of a racially just
future. These are the aspects of race that we must face, working in
communities across America among people of good faith. That is why I was so
pleased to be a part of the Facing Race conference.”
*
FACING RACE 2010 HIGHLIGHTS*

Click here to watch video highlights from the previous Facing
Race<http://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/index.php?eventid=32931&tabid=56793>held
in Chicago in 2010. Includes Keynote by Melissa Harris-Perry.

--

michael kerr
Coordinator
Colour of Poverty - Colour of Change
# 1701 - 180 Dundas St. W.
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1Z8

Ph. 416-966-3882
Fax 416-971-6780
E-mail - colourofpove...@gmail.com
Web-site - www.colourofpoverty.ca
Blog - www.racesEDJ.ca

Tell Us Your Hair Story - Submission Form ( Provincial Advocate for Children & Youth - March 2012 ).doc 585K Download

2012 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission ( CUPE - March 2012 ).pdf 596K Download

Defend our social housing petition 2012.pdf 71K Download

International Day for The Elimination of Racism - In Conclusion ( BOPSers - April 2012 ).doc 655K Download

Letters from Senator Oliver ( BOPSers - March 2012 ).pdf 688K Download

The righteous anger of Bruce Springsteen ( Toronto Star - March 26, 2012 ).docx 73K Download

Budget dilemma - How do we spread the pain of retrenchment fairly ( Toronto Star - March 25, 2012 ).docx 27K Download

A Boy to Be Sacrificed ( New York Times - March 24, 2012 ).doc 101K Download

NDP makes the right bet by making Thomas Mulcair its leader ( Toronto Star - March 24, 2012 ).docx 117K Download

Equity and Inclusive Education - From Policy to Practice Conference ( Toronto - May 3-5, 2012 ).pdf 465K Download

Is there an ideological divide in immigration and refugee system ( The Vancouver Sun - November 26, 2011 ).doc 52K Download

COP-COC Response to SA Review Options Paper ( March 16, 2012 ).pdf 129K Download