R
E S I S T A N C E O N T R I A L
Public Meeting
to Oppose the Prosecution of OCAP - Ontario Coalition Against
Poverty Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003 - 7 PM, OISE Auditorium, 252 Bloor St.
W.
Ontario Health Coalition
(OHC) HEALTH ACTION ASSEMBLY Urgent
Province-Wide Strategy-Setting Meeting Post- Romanow & Pre-Election Saturday,
January 18, 2003 | Toronto
For more info contact Natalie Mehra at the OHC: ohc@sympatico.ca www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca
December 28, 2002
Take Action on Medicare: Crucial decisions that will affect our future will be made
in the upcoming First Ministers’ meeting on health care planned
for early 2003. Prime Minister Chrétien and the Premiers
must hear strong and loud the voice of Canadians who are eager
to strengthen Medicare. We urge you to sign the online petition
that we have created demanding full implementation of the Romanow
Report recommendations. It only takes a minute! Please access
the petition at: www.petitiononline.com/romanow/
What:
Symposium: MamaWORK: Transgressing Towards the Future ---
symposium on the revolutionary politics of mothering against the
grain. When:
Saturday, January 11th, 2003 - day long event Where:
519 Church Street Community Centre (East Room) Toronto
You'll find more details in the info and program sections - http://mamawork.liberationtechnology.net
1.
The
Hon. Brenda Elliott, Minister of Community, Family,
& Children's Services
email: minmcss@gov.on.ca
online form: http://www.gov.on.ca/CSS/page/minister.html
Send a holiday greeting to the MCFCS Minister with the demand
that her government work towards implementing each and every one
of the Rogers
Inquest recommendations directed at her Ministry ASAP! Remind
Minister Elliott that Ontarians are fed up with the Tories' draconian
policies that unfairly target poor people! Demand an end to the
Bans!
Gosselin
Decision from Supreme Court MAJORITY LEAVES RAY OF HOPE FOR CANADA’S POOR
MINORITY FINDS RIGHT TO ADEQUATE LIVING STANDARDS CCPI (Charter Committee on Poverty Issues) Press Release dd
Dec 19, 2002
Breaking News
The Supreme Court released its decision today in the case of
Louise Gosselin. The appeal was dismissed and the case lost
on a 5-4 split decision.
"The appeal
from the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Quebec (Montreal),
Number 500-09-001092-923 (Louise Gosselin), dated April 23,
1999, heard on October 29, 2001 is dismissed. L'Heureux-Dubé,
Bastarache, Arbour and LeBel JJ. are dissenting." source:
http://www.lexum.umontreal.ca/csc-scc/en/com/2002/html/02-12-19.3.html
December
18, 2002 recommended
link:
Petition
to Oppose “Article 23”
In September
24, 2002, the Hong Kong government published proposals to implement
Article 23 of the Basic Law. The deadline for the consultation
period is December 24, 2002. The new law would give the Hong
Kong authorities the power to proscribe any organization which
'either has as its objective to engage in any act of treason,
secession, sedition, subversion or theft of state secrets (espionage);
or is affiliated to a mainland organization which has been proscribed
in mainland China by the Central Authorities, in accordance with
national law on the ground that it endangers national security.'
Read
More =>
Sign
an Online Email Petition
started by the Global Coalition Against Article 23 at http://www.againstarticle23.org/en/emailform.php
You have the
option at this link to send an email to Hong Kong and other world
leaders at the same time.
Through
the Looking Glass Through the Looking Glass(TLG) is a nationally
recognized non-profit center and first National Resource Center
for Parents with Disabilities. They provide direct services, training,
materials and research concerning families in which a child, parent
or grandparent has a disability or medical issue.
The
Supreme Court has announced that judgment in the Louise Gosselin
appeal will
be rendered on Thursday, December 19, 2002 at 9:45 am
How interesting
that Gosselin decision will be rendered at the same time
when the 5-member Jury from the Kimberly Rogers Inquest will deliver
their
verdict and recommendations in Sudbury.
On October
29, 2001, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear an historic
case - the first claim under the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms and
the first claim under human rights legislation to a right to an
adequate
level of social assistance for those in need.
There is a
lot riding on it for poor people and for human rights in Canada.
The Charter Committee on Poverty Issues (CCPI) has been granted
leave to
intervene. So have the National Association of Women and the Law
(NAWL) and
Rights and Democracy, previously the International Centre for
Human Rights
and Democratic Development, headed by Warren Allmand.
Take
Action! Tell Everyone You Know: "Don't Buy Gap This Holiday Season!"
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/antigap In
factory after factory—in Bangladesh, El Salvador, Indonesia,
Cambodia, Mexico, and southern Africa—workers making Gap
clothes have reported beatings from supervisors, desperately low
wages, unsafe working conditions, and harsh repression when they
stand up for their rights. This holiday season, join hundreds
of thousands of concerned people across the country in helping
Gap workers fight back. Tell the Gap that you are taking Gap products
off your holiday list this year. And most important, share this
message with everyone you know. Through this international campaign,
we can make the Gap improve the lives of thousands of workers
around the world. Read
More=>
L.O.
Combat Violence Against Women Women's Aid Centres in Israel Herzlia Hedera Rishon Le Zion
Shelters for abused women and their children; Day seminars/lectures;
2nd stage housing; Hotline for women in Hebrew; Hotline for women
in Russian Hotline for children;
Training hotline volunteers
Dialogue
on Citizenship Ryerson University's Institute for Disability Studies and
Philia, a national coalition of individuals and organizations
concerned with citizenship and disability, are co-hosting an important
Dialogue with Catherine Frazee and Michael Ignatieff.
Join Michael and Catherine in dialogue with each other and with
the audience. The discussion will be moderated by Suhana Meharchand,
Broadcaster, CBC Television and Newsworld. When: Friday, December 13, 2002
Doors open at 6 p.m. - Dialogue is at 7 p.m. Where: Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard Street East, Toronto
, Ontario CANADA
You may register by phone, email or online:
by phone: 416-923-6579 | email: philia@enablelink.org
| online: www.enablelink.org Admission is free - Donations to the Toronto Food
Bank gratefully accepted.
Please reserve ahead for wheelchair seating, ASL interpretation
and/or individual considerations.
December
7, 2002 additions to the site
Online
Petition to Canadian Government re: Missing/Murdered First Nations
WomenA
PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ON THE INVESTIGATION OF UNSOLVED
CASES OF MISSING/MURDERED FIRST NATIONS WOMEN OF THIS COUNTRY
- In light of the fact of our nation's apparent disregard of the
recommendations made by the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of (1999)
in Manitoba; including the shameful behavior of law inforcement
in Vancouver, BC resulting in many unnecessary deaths of known
missing women; the fact that many of those are First Nations women;
We, the undersigned appeal to the Governing agencies of Canada
with the following petition. Read
More =>
LIFE*SPIN
Media Release
LIFE*SPIN - Low Income Family Empowerment - Sole
Support Information Network
announced today the launch of a research project in London entitled
“Impact of Modern Welfare Reforms on the Safety and Equality
of Women Abused in Their Intimate Relationships” with the
hope and goal that the information gathered will lead to welfare
changes that help women and honour those whose lives are directly
affected by abuse. Read More =>
December 4, 2002 announcement
Participation
and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS):
A profile of disability in Canada
StatsCan has released the PALS report profiling disabilities in
Canada as gathered in the 2001 census - One
out of every seven Canadians aged 15 and over - an estimated 3.4
million people - reported some level of disability in 2001, according
to a new report profiling people whose everyday activities are
limited by a physical or psychological condition or by a health
condition. Read
More =>
OCAP
- Funding Appeal
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
2002 placed
huge strains on OCAP's resources. We had to fight to defend dozens
of members and supporters in the courts in the face of intensified
(and unsuccessful) efforts to criminalize and destroy our organization.
Read More =>
December
2, 2002 additions to the site & announcements:
Ontario
Social Safety NetWork (OSSN)
OSSN
General Meeting
Friday, Dec. 13, 2002 from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Income Security Advocacy
Centre
425 Adelaide Street West, 5th floor, Toronto
Draft Agenda: Local Reports; Pay the Rent & Feed the Kids Campaign
update; ODSP Action Coalition Campaign update; Report on Kimberley
Rogers Inquest; OCSJ Plan of Action; Income Security Advocacy
Centre consultation with low income groups/individuals. For more
info call
email: greyj@lao.on.ca Toll
free: 1-866-245-4072 Toronto: 416-597-5821 ext. 5151
website: http://dawn.thot.net/ossn
Ontario
Coalition for Social Justice (OCSJ)
OCSJ General Assembly
Dec. 13, 2002 from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Holy Trinity Church – Toronto Important meeting to plot our plans for the upcoming year.
Your participation is vital.
For registration or further info, contact OCSJ coordinator, Sarah
Blackstock at
email: ocsj@ocsj.ca website:
www.ocsj.ca Tel:
416-441-3714
CCRA
now turns its attention on low-income parents
Questionnaires sent out to parents claiming the child tax credit
asking inappropriate questions - failure to return form threatens
a suspension of the Child Tax Benefit
Subcommittee
on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
The Subcommittee
expects to begin its on-line consultation with Canadians concerning
the CPP Disability program soon and will provide more details
as they become available.
Recommended
Website:
Sick
Humor Postcards
Cartoon postcards on life with disability operated by Sharon
Wachsler, a feminist disability humour columnist & cartoonist.
http://www.sickhumorpostcards.com/
The site was designed to be accessible to people using screen
readers. With
the exception of four cartoons, the Sick Humor Postcards site
is primarily
text.
Sharon writes
and draws about issues that don't usually make it to the light
of day -- One of her most popular columns is "Pap Goes the Wheezer,"
about going for her yearly gyn exam and the access problems she
encountered. Another of her columns at AbilityMaine.org deals
with menstruation. Her cartoons that get a big response are often
feminist views of illness and medical care (such as "The CFIDS
Diet" cartoon)
Welfare
loses human touch Consulting fees could have been better spent being put back
into social services Dateline: Monday, November 04, 2002
by Maggie Hughes - published on Straight Goods
The rational for the changes to Ontario’s Welfare Programs was
to stop welfare fraud, according to the governments’ website.
But cuts to income were just the start of several changes including
a total revamping of the way Social Service were to be delivered.
Following in the steps of the “Clinton” welfare reform act, and
using the services of Anderson Consulting, the Tories took a sledgehammer
approach to not only the way programs were going to be delivered,
but who would be allowed welfare at all. Read
More =>
Shameful
attack by Ottawa on people with disabilities Small tax credit targeted for cutbacks despite $71 billion
in surpluses
NUPGE - national union of public and general employees - Nov.
1, 2002
The National Union of Public and General Employees says
it's shameful of the federal government to be cutting back on
a tax credit of less than $1,000 a year for Canadians with disabilities
when it is projecting surpluses of $71 billion over the next six
years. Read More =>
The
Lesbian Breast Cancer Project If
you are a lesbian* and you have experienced
a breast cancer diagnosis, or gynecological cancer ... We want
to talk with you! We are ...the Lesbians and Breast Cancer Project
Team, and we're gathering the stories of lesbians from across
Ontario who have experienced a breast cancer diagnosis. We're
also interviewing a small number of lesbians with gynecological
cancers.Read More =>
October
22, 2002 additions to the site:
Interview
with V.P. CUPE, Hamilton - Wentworth Region
In an effort to clarify the effects of the new Social Service
Program, the writer conducted several interviews in the Hamilton
- Wentworth community, the first city to use the new re-vamped
computer system.
October
19, 2002 additions to the site:
A
SCAB by Jack London (1876-1916)
Posted in solidarity with
the workers on the street in Sudbury locked
out by the Sudbury Star - where 3/4 of the workers in the
mail room are women and the rate of pay is $7.05 per hour!
Inquest
into Kimberly Roger's Death Starts Tuesday - ddOct. 11, 2002
Press Release - Ontario Social Safety NetWork (OSSN); Ontario
Legal Clinics' Steering Committee on Social Assistance (SCSA);
Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)
Sharlene McLearon
- the Artist and Reiki Master from southern Ontario who created
the beautiful portrait entitled "Angel
With Child" of Kimberly Rogers.
Sharlene uses her art as a mechanism to enlighten people to world
injustices.
DAWN Ontario salutes Sharlene McLearon,
an amazing Woman and Artist and we are porud to announce Sharlene
as our newest Phenomenal Woman!
GirlztoGirlz.com
Aims to promote female evolution by connecting women to be virtual
best friends; Visit the chat rooms to discuss the issues that
are of concern to you. On the site, you'll find a chat agenda
where you can schedule events and discuss topics.
Founded in
1998, Ontario
WorkInfoNet (OnWIN) is dedicated to providing Ontarians
with career and employment information. The OnWIN web site features
a searchable directory of 700 work- and career-related web sites
in Ontario. OnWIN is one of 13 provincial and territorial WorkInfoNets,
each presenting high-quality web resources for employment search
and career decision-making. WorkinfoNets are non-profit corporations
supported by federal and provincial government funding.
The Internet
technology used by OnWIN levels the playing field for all Ontarians.
People anywhere in the province have equal access, providing they
can connect to the Internet. This means that technology can help
those in rural areas, First Nations' communities, small towns
or large urban centres. And information is quick to find; OnWIN's
motto is: "Just one or two clicks to local information".
For example, you can choose from a list of user groups
and immediately get a list of Ontario resources for disabled people.
Please
help support Straight
Goods!
They've had a summer from hell with their computers. Tech problems
truly have them on the ropes. Straight Goods urgently needs your
help to survive and continue its work of informing Canadians.
Join today and support independent journalism. Get password access
and discounts on events like our November 9 Toronto media panel
with LaPointe, Miller, Salutin, Zerbasias and others.
Recommend
website: mopaul.com
- The illustration, "St.
Jessica & the Dragon," depicts a ferocious looking
dragon's head emerging from a closet. A silhouette of a woman
in a wheelchair sits in the hallway outside the closet, holding
a sword up and ready for the dragon. Both cast dramatic shadows.
In a media
advisory issued on Wednesday, Sept.5th, the Communications,
Energy & Paperworkers Union (CEP) confirmed that it has
not reached a pay equity settlement with Bell Canada for CEP members
- current and former Bell Canada telephone Operators. The settlement
reached by the company union representing clerical employees at
Bell is calculated per person to be less than 20 cents for every
dollar owed by Bell and is less than the offer rejected by CEP
Operators in 1999.
The settlement
may not be acceptable to the Human Rights Commission, which has
jurisdiction in the pay equity dispute. The rally is still scheduled
for this Saturday, Sept.7th, beginning at the Markham
Fairgrounds, at McCowan Ave and Elgin Mills in Markham.
It will go ahead as planned - despite a deliberate attempt by
anti-union forces to manipulate news in an effort to reduce participation
in the CEP rally, and despite a court injunction.
The
rally & festival will include a short march, free BBQ, and a "buck-a-beer"
bar. Now it's more important than ever that you come out to
show your support - and to join us in the fun! Help us to
show Bell that they can't short-change Operators. Read
More =>
Participation:
Access and the right to communicate
A discussion of participation is about rights and barriers. The
right to communicate is a human right, and it is central to social
struggle. This discussion is about our rights and what happens
to them when we want to be online but can’t get access. Getting
online and staying there is fast becoming a right and has become
a critical access issue. If we are to have the opportunities of
participating and communicating we need to be online.
The
Participation email list will run from Oct. 7 - 25, 2002 Discussion will focus (but will not be limited to) questions
such as:
How easy
is it for you to get online?
Have you
encountered barriers to getting online?
Do you
find the internet is welcoming to women?
Do you
find the internet is offensive to women?
Are you
stereotyped when you’re online?
Do women
and men have the same opportunities to get online?
How easy
is it to contribute online?
Is it easy
to find feminist voices online?
The
Participation email list will be moderated by Barbara
Anello. Please contact Barbara if you want more information.
More information
will be posted in the coming weeks re: the consultation and specifically
the Participation email list.
Friends
of Falun Gong Rescue Committee - Postcard Campaign
asking the
Hon. Jean Cretién, Prime Minister of Canada, to hear the
voice of the growing list of Canadians requesting that he clearly
and publicly condemn the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners
in China when he meets with Jiang Zemin, the President of China,
during the APEC Summit in October 2002.
August
29, 2002 additions
to the site:
Rohypnol
- One of the "Date Rape Drugs"
has spread throughout the country in bars, parties, and on the
club scene. Arm yourself with the knowledge to avoid such drugs
and avoid becoming a victim. Read More
=>
August
27, 2002 additions
to the site:
The
Infography www.infography.com
This site offers great promise as the new and better online reference
resource. The publisher, Fields of Knowledge, has impaneled
thousands of professors and other experts to recommend what they
each consider to be the superlative sources of information about
her or his subject specialty. Read
More =>
Help
Save the Earth
Join DAWN Ontario and others all over the world by participating
in the first ever Online Global Poll
on the Environment for the UN Earth Summit in Johannesburg.
It only takes 5-7 minutes. Do your part. Make your voice heard.
Be a part of history. It is important. Click
here or on the banner below to begin.
Amanda
Minderlein's Story
Amanda is an 18 year old girl living with a rare cancer called
Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma. Amanda is our phenomenal
young woman of summer 2002.
August
23, 2002 additions
to the site:
Riding
The Bus With My Sister by
Rachel Simon (2002) ISBN: 0618045996; $23.00 |
Hardcover: 256 pages
|
Publication Date: 08/26/2002
Description: Rachel Simon’s sister Beth
is a spirited woman who lives intensely and often joyfully. Beth,
a woman with a developmental disability, spends her days riding
the buses in her Pennsylvania city. The drivers, a lively group,
are her mentors; her fellow passengers are her community. Read
More=>
INVITATION
TO PARTICIPATE in a Study of Students with Disabilities Graduating Are you a person with disabilities who graduated or expects
to graduate from university or college in 2002? The Canadian
Centre on Disability Studies would like to talk with you about
participating in a national study examining the school-to-work
transition experiences of post-secondary students with disabilities.
We need to know about your successes, the obstacles you encounter,
and the factors that contribute to your successes. Read
More =>
Updates
added to Justice with Dignity - Kimberly
Rogers site: Press releases and
recent media coverage
Sudbury
newspaper's response to Blatchford story in The National Joke
Northern Life dd Thursday, August 15, 2002 - Editor's Opinion
by Vicki Gilhula http://dawn.thot.net/Kimberly_Rogers/vg1.html
(Northern Life is a community newspaper in Sudbury with three
editions per week. It has a large circulation.)
Remembering
Kimberly Rogers By Jennifer Keck http://dawn.thot.net/Kimberly_Rogers/jk1.html
(Jennifer Keck
was a professor of social work at Laurentian University, an active
researcher on women's issues, labour and health care, and a passionate
social advocate. Jennifer died of breast cancer on June 12, 2002.
She was 48.)
Please
contact government leaders expressing your support for equal marriage
for all Canadians and urge them to take action and grant full
marriage to same sex couples: Take
Action
July
23, 2002
additions to the site:
Being
Set-Up: A chronological look at the OPP's Hidden Agenda for a
Set-up/Knock-down...
Some of you may remember Dudley George,
native activist who was machine gunned down by the OPP several
years ago while defending his land (he was unarmed). His
brother PierreGeorge has been working for justice
on this issue ever since. This, unfortunately has drawn the OPP's
attention to him. Read More =>
VIGIL
FOR CHOICE - Stand for Women's Right
to Abortion During the World Youth Day
procession, show your support for Women's Right to Choose.
Friday July 26, 2002 at 7:30 p.m.Read
More =>
Solidarity
Sleepout: Free Mahmoud Jaballah and
Muhammad Mahjoub Tuesday, July 23, 9:30 pm, Metro West Detention
Centre -- 111 Disco Road
Join us for an all-night vigil of support for two unjustly imprisoned
men who are victims of a security hysteria which places people
behind bars because of their faith and heritage. Read
More =>
Women's
Committee of the Moroccan Association of TorontoBBQ,
When: Saturday, July 27, 2002 at 2:30 pm Read
More =>
R
A D I C A L G A R A G E S
A L E Monday, July 29, 2002 from 12 - 6 PM -- Front Yard of the Pope
Squat
On July 25, 2002, OCAP will open the Pope Squat. In the middle
of Toronto's housing crisis, as the City spends millions of dollars
funding the Pope's visit, squatters will demand the construction
of more social housing as they occupy an abandoned building in
a Toronto neighborhood. The Pope Squat will ultimately be transformed
into self-managed social housing and a vibrant community center.
Read More =>
Update on HOUSING in Ontario Officials
at the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing say that
they will release a "guidebook" to the new federal-Ontario
housing program (based on the deal signed between Ottawa and Queen's
Park on May 30, 2002) in mid-July. This guidebook is supposed
to help sponsors (that is, private, non-profit or co-op developers)
to understand the new program and how they can apply...
Read
More => Document #1-
Q & A: Questions & Answers -- July 2002 Document #2-
Q
& A: Questions & Answers -- June 2002
From the Housing and Homelessness Network of Ontario (HHNO)
Sharing
Our Stories Project
-- A Place in the Sun:Where
audacious Women with disAbilities meet to share our stories.
What it was like, what happened, and what it's
like today: that's what we aim to share. Being a woman and having
a disAbility (or two, or three) makes us neither a saint nor a
martyr, but it does necessarily challenge us to be adaptable.
Society was
not initially constructed to include those of us who are not flawlessly
able. It has been our duty to ourselves to find the back doors
and shaded windows of opportunity, scaling walls of resistance,
all just to reach or build a barrier-free place where the sun
shines equally on us all.
We are here
to tell our stories of the grand expedition from exclusion to
inclusion: to shine a light on those doors, open those windows
wider, and disassemble those walls.
Ontario
Alternative Budget prepared by the Ontario Alternative Budget
Working Group now available as a Word document. Previously it
was only available in PDF format. The Ontario Alternative Budget
Working Group is a coalition of labour, social action, community
and church groups which have come together to develop alternatives
to the Common Sense Revolution of the Harris-Eves Government.
The OAB is a project of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
-Ontario Office.
Download the
Ontario Alternative Budget as a Word
doc.
Download the Ontario Alternative Budget as a plain
text file. Warning: 48 pages in length -- also, text file does not
display text from tables well.
June 24,
2002
additions to the site:
STOP
BILL 58TAKE ACTION- Selling any part of Hydro One would be bad for Ontario
Statistics
on Persons with Disabilities in Ontario
Statistics based on the Statistics Canada 1991 Health and Activity
Limitation Survey (HALS) and links to other stats sources;
(Up-to-date figures will be made available
Autumn 2002)
Action
Alert - Bill 118
Link
to Directory of Media Sources - Voice your disappointment
that the Conservative gov't voted against NDP MPP Tony Martin's
Bill 118 to raise ODSP -
Read More =>
PARTICIPATE
IN HYDRO HEARINGS -
Premier Ernie Eves and the Conservatives want to sell off Hydro
One -- but the power is yours to stop them. If you're like 70
per cent of Ontarians and you oppose the Hydro One sell-off, speak
up and be heard. Sign up to speak at public hearings on Bill
58, the Hydro-One Sell-Off Bill. If you don't want to speak,
make sure to attend. Whatever you do, let the Conservatives know
that Hydro One belongs to the people and it's not for sale.
Hearing dates: (locations and exact times to be confirmed)
Toronto:
June 18, 19 and 20;
Kingston:
June 21 (morning);
Ottawa:
June 21 (afternoon);
London:
June 22 (morning);
Chatham:
June 22 (afternoon).
To sign up
for public hearings, contact (asap) the Standing Committee on
General Government clerk: Anne Stokes Phone: 416-325-3515 | Fax: 416-325-3505
| Mail: Anne Stokes, Committees Branch, Room 1405,
Whitney Block, Queen's Park, Toronto, ON M7A 1A2
Ryerson
University's School of Disability Studies First CULTURE CAULDRON
A cabaret-style evening of short performances of disability-inspired
creative work
Wed. July 3, 2002 7:00 to 9:00 PM
International Room, International Living and Learning Centre,
Ryerson University, 240 Jarvis Street, Toronto
Free admission -- Cash bar -- No auditions -- No red tape
To reserve space in the program, or for more information, contact:
Catherine Frazee by e-mail cfrazee@web.net
or by telephone (416) 979-5000, extension 7037 Read
More =>
You
Deserve To Be Safe:An Educational Video for
Girls with disAbilities;
accompanied by a Resource Guide booklet updated
Read the booklet online Order
the booklet
DAWN
Ontario's Annotated Bibliography and A Statement of Need
re: Violence Against Women With Disabilities: This project was an interactive needs assessment used to determine
what information is available for consumers of service, service
providers and family members in respect to understanding or assisting
Women with disAbilities having to deal with a variety of circumstances
such as abuse, violence, neglect, or access to services which
are appropriate.
May 21,
2002 added
to the site:
Support
Bill 118!
NDP Poverty Critic Tony Martin's Bill 118 to increase ODSP
benefits will be called for second reading on Thursday June
13th at 11 am - at that time (12 noon) there will be an hour of
debate followed by the vote to decide whether or not it proceeds
to third reading. We would love to fill the member's and visitor's
galleries with people who support the NDP's bill - if you are
planning on attending please give call Sarah Johnson at Tony Martin's
Toronto office Tel: 416-325-4014 or email Sarah Jordison at sjordison@ndp.on.ca
Inclusive
Transportation Conference & Showcase 2002: The Road to Accessibility Hosted by: the Nova Scotia Community-based Transportation
Association (NS-CBTA) Where: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia at the Ramada
Hotel
When: June 26 - 27, 2002
Electronic version of the Brochure and Registration forms available
in WORD, WordPerfect and PDF format - send email request to frigaurj@gov.ns.ca
For more info, contact Rene Frigault, Program Administration
Officer with Community Transportation Assistance Program (CTAP),
Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, Municipal Services
Division at: Tel: (902) 424-2088; Fax: (902) 424-0821; Email:
frigaurj@gov.ns.ca
Annual
General Meeting of the OSSN - Ontario Social Safety NetWork June 7, 2002 | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Toronto
On the agenda is discussion of the three campaigns: Pay the Rent
AND Feed the Kids Campaign, Justice with Dignity arising from
the Kimberly Rogers case, and the Access to ODSP campaign. Speakers
inlude Chris Mathers of the Thunder Bay Coalition Against Poverty
on getting out the low income vote in the next elections.
The current steering committee is working towards renewing and
strengthening the leadership of the OSSN. This AGM is an opportunity
to set up a new regionally representative steering committee that
can work on campaigns, infrastructures and the fundraising process.
Proposed is a steering committee of 10 people, 2 from each of
the 4 regions and 2 from Toronto. Also proposed is that the committee
be composed of at least 50% low income activists to ensure participation
of those most affected by poverty.
For more info, please contact Josephine Grey or Katheryne Schulz
at toll free 1-866-245-4072.
The Ontario
Court of Appeal has found that the "spouse in the house"
provisions in the Ontario social assistance legislation violate
section 15 of the Charter. The legislation was found to discriminate
on the basis of sex, receipt of social assistance, and marital
status.
Breast
of Canada 2003 Calendar In support of Breast Health and the Prevention of Breast
Cancer
It is time for a positive and proactive breast health and breast
cancer prevention message to be communicated to women around the
world. The Breast of Canada Calendar is the vehicle for this message.
Breast of Canada is an extraordinary and important breast health
tool that will help raise awareness and motivate action about
the prevention and early detection of breast cancer.
Become a Breast
Ambassador and lend your support for a 2003 calendar.
Please visit the BoC web site at www.breastofcanada.com
.
Wendy Young's Free Party
with Chuck Angus of the Grievous Angels Friday, April 26th at 8 - 11 pm
Davedi Club, 313 Airport Rd. North Bay Read More ==>
April 19,
2002 added
to the site:
UNFIT
To Govern:
Ontarians are Gathering Evidence, Taking Action & Joining in a
Week of Community Actions Demonstrating
Why the Tories are Unfit to Govern Ontario. Read
More =>
Bill 134,
the Fair Rent Increases Act introduced by David
Caplan, M.P.P. Don Valley East, Liberal Housing
Critic, will be debated the first Thursday morning after
the throne speech during Private Member's Business. Read
More =>
Plan to attend the
Unfit to Govern Workshop Tuesday, April 30th,
7:00 pm Facilitator: Kira Heineck of OCSJ - Ontario
Coalition for Social Justice
Anishnabe Friendship Centre
980 Cassells St. North Bay
for more info, email Barbara at anello@thot.net
April
11, 2002 | North Bay, Ontario NDP
Nomination Meeting- re: By-Election 2002 236 Algonquin
Ave. W. at 7:00 pm
The
Case of Lucy Lu UPDATE
-- Lucy Lu is Free!
Lucy Lu was able to leave the church basement in Kingston, where
she has lived in sanctuary for over 16 months! The new Immigration
Minister granted her a 3 year stay one day after the local immigration
office served notice of rejected of her application to remain
in Canada. Further details will be posted in the coming days.
Lucy and her husband Daryll, are deeply appreciative to the members
of DAWN Ontario for your diligent support over the last year.
Thank You for making a difference!
Urgent
Action Alert for Changchun, China - Email Canadian Minister
of Foreign Affairs
Plan
to Join the OPSEU Solidarity Pickets
on April 2, 2002
45,000 members of the Ontario
Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) have been out on
strike since March 13, 2002. They need our support now
more than ever. After 7 years of harmful, sometimes deadly policies
by the Tory government, it's time to rebuild our public services.
Remember Walkerton, Dudley George, Ontario public services devastated,
the poor abandoned, health care chaos, schools starved of cash
... the list goes on.
Enough is Enough! Labour
councils throughout Ontario are working with OPSEU to determine
time and location of solidarity pickets for Tuesday, April
2. Plan to join the line! Details of picket locations
will be listed on OFLweb site at www.ofl-fto.on.ca.
The longer the line, the shorter the strike!
March 29,
2002 added
to the site:
Call
For Help - Please
Write to the Honourable William
Graham, Minister
of Foreign Affairs re: Yue-li Yang, of Beijing China, a
62 year, old Falun Gong Practitioner and retired scientist who
worked in the Aerospace industry (mother of Charles Yang, living/working
in Toronto)
Yue-li Yangwas sentenced without trial on Dec 2001 to
18 months to "re-education through Labour" at the
Tuan-He Labour Camp because she refused to reniunce her
faith. Yue-li Yang has not been permitted any visitors or calls
since in over 4 months (even murders
and rapists are permitted visitors in Chinese prisons, but Yue-li
Yang is not). Sample Letter to send the Minister Letter from Charles Yang, son
of Yue-li Yang(Backgrounder)
Intercede For
the Rights of Domestic Workers, Caregivers, & Newcomers
March 20, 2002
Additions to the site:
Campaign
to Save Medicare In the face
of new threats to Medicare from the Mazankowski Report,
the KirbyCommission, and statements from Ernie Eves
and other Tory leadership hopefuls, local meetings
are being organized around Ontario to plan an urgent and unprecedented
campaign to save Medicare. GET
INVOLVED!
Congratulations
to our sisters at Action
des Femmes Handicapées Montréalwho have just launched
their web page at www.AFHM.org
Additionally, Action des Femmes has also launched an electronic
discussion list for francophone women with disAbilities. Details
are available on the website!
Félicitations ŕ nos soeurs ŕ Action des Femmes Handicapées Montréal
qui ont juste lancé leur page Web ŕ www.AFHM.org
Today, March
8th is International Women's Day. The theme of the day this year
is
"Working in Solidarity: Women, Human Rights and Peace"
Lucy Zhou,
a Kanata resident, spends hours every week both practicing and
speaking
about Falun Gong, the meditation exercise that has been outlawed
in China.
We feel she
embodies the spirit of the theme of International Women's Day
this year.
Save Public
Medicare! North Bay & District Health
Coalition Press Release For Immediate Release -- Attn: Assignment Editor dd March 5,
2002
North Bay & District Joins Nation-wide Campaign to Save Medicare
North Bay
- The North Bay & District Health Coalition kicked off an
important campaign to save Medicare. Spokespeople announced that
the North Bay & District Health Coalition will conduct a door-to-door
canvass to talk to neighbours and community members about public
Medicare.
"This
is the number one public issue in our community and in communities
across the country", stated Dawson Pratt, co-chair/spokesperson
for the North Bay & District Health Coalition. "We will
be making an appeal to our friends and neighbours to protect and
extend quality public Medicare so it will be there for the next
generation." Read More =>
March 4, 2002
Additions to the site:
Romanow
Hearings in Ontario
- Important Notice from OHC The following are
the locations of the Romanow Hearings in Ontario. Please note
that in each city, we will hold mass deputations outside the hearings
at noon. All those who are travelling into the cities should plan
to be at the locations listed below at noon. In Toronto, it appears
that there are now two days of hearings. Our mass deputation will
take place on April 2 at noon. Posters will be coming out soon.
April 2 and 3 –Toronto:
Toronto Colony Hotel, Colony Grande East, 89 Chestnut Street,
Toronto April
4 – Ottawa:
Congress Centre, Captial Hall 1B/2B, 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa
April 11 – Sudbury:
Holiday Inn, Salon C, 50 Brady Street, Sudbury
February 26, 2002
Additions to the site:
Psychiatric Survivor Archives, Toronto,
is a voluntary, grass roots organization that is run for and by
psychiatric survivors to preserve all aspects of our history.
The archives seeks to reflect the broad diversity of views that
are expressed by all people with a psychiatric history, however
they choose to self-identify. The emphasis of our archives will
be on a critical perspective, including anti-psychiatry, that
is primarily produced by psychiatric survivors whether institutionalized
or in the community. Read More =>
The Social
Assistance Action Committee (Toronto Legal Clinics)
Invite Toronto Community Agencies to participate in an
Agency Forum and Workshop Access to the Ontario
Disability Support Program (ODSP) 4 Years Later - What legislative and strategic changes would
benefit Our Clients?
Access to forms, Completing Forms, Denial of Benefits, SBT Appeal
Process, etc.Monday March 18th, 2002 -- 12:00 to 4:00 PM
Room 314, Metro Hall, 55 John St., Toronto (wheelchair accessible)
RSVP: Catherine Manson, Flemingdon Community Legal Services
Tel: 416 -441-1764, ext 31
Email: mansonc@olap.org
Bring your Agency Literature to distribute - Literature Table Read More => (agenda and registration
form)
With the annual
United Nation Human Rights Commission approaching (Geneva,
Switzerland, Mar 18, 2002) we would like to ask for your support
by signing an Open Letterencouraging the Canadian government to put forward a resolution
censuring China for the violation of basic human rights of it's
own citizens. Open
Letter to the Prime Minister Read
More =>
February
19, 2002 Additions to the site:
Common
Thread Community Chorus of Toronto presents: A Benefit for Amnesty International “Celebrating Women
in Music” Saturday, March 2nd 2002, 8:00 pm
Cecil Community Centre; 58 Cecil Street (Spadina & College)
For Tickets call 416-363-9933 ext 33
Prices: $12 advance/ $15 at door; child/Seniors/Unwaged $7 Wheelchair Accessible; Child Friendly event Read More =>
Health,
Wellness and Aging with Disability
Includes: Active Health Care Consumer Strategies, Cerebral Palsy,
Conferences, Complimentary Approaches, Condition / Disability
Specific Information, Ethnic and Cultural Diversity - Equity
and Access, Exercise, Health Information Online, Managed Care,
Polio, Reference Tools, Self-help, Traveling, Women's Issues
and more.
Resources
on Health Plans for People with Disabilities
Includes: Understanding Managed Care, How to Pick a Plan, How
to Evaluate a Current Plan, Strategies for Managing Your Managed
Care, What to Look for in Health Care Providers, Medicare and
Medicaid, Advocacy Issues and Resources, Medical Information,
Research Projects and more.
February
16, 2002 Additions to the site:
March
6, 2002 | Toronto, Ontario
DISABILITY TAX TIPS & CREDITS Workshop An interactive workshop for people with disabilities
presented by the Centre
for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) Inc. Want to
learn more about the Disability Tax Credit, Medical Expenses,
Attendant Care Expenses, GST, Federal Excise Gasoline Tax Refund
Program? In this workshop, you will learn helpful tax tips and
resources.
Date & Time: Wed. March 6, 2002 at 6:00pm to
8:30pm Place:CILT Boardroom; 205 Richmond Street
W. Suite 605; University & Richmond)
This is a FREE workshop. Space is limited. Please RSVP
by March 1st, 2002
to John at Tel: (416) 599-2458 ext.38 or by TDD: (416) 599-5077
Attendant
services and light refreshments will be provided. Please call
to request other accommodations.
Supported
by the City of Toronto, Human Resources Development Canada, Ministry
of Health, and the United Way.
New
Link Barbara
Findley, QC
Website of a lesbian, feminist lawyer committed to making the
law work for all of us; The site has news about
legal developments affecting gays, lesbians, bisexual and transg
ender people. http://www.barbarafindlay.com
Event
NAC's 30th Anniversary - 2002 International Women's Day Banquet Keeping the struggle for justice, equality
and peace alive! There will be guest speakers, entertainment and a live auction.
Limited number of seats so mark the date in your calendars and
contact the NAC Office at (416) 932-1718 to reserve a ticket ($45)
or a table ($400).
Friday, March 22, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
Bright Pearl Restaurant
346 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Gender
Equality Alliance of Nipissing (GEAN)
The Program in Gender Equality and Social Justice at Nipissing
University, in conjunction with the Campus Women's Centre, and
the Gender Equality Alliance of Nipissing will be hosting International
Women's Week at Nipissing University, from March 1st to March
8th 2002. Events include a guest
lecturer, Sally
Armstrong, on March 1st and a mini
film festival during the week that follows. All are welcome.
No admission charges to any events.
March 1, 2002 | North Bay, Ontario Women's
Rights in a Global World Thank
You *Free Public Lecture* THINKING GLOBALLY, ACTING LOCALLY In celebration of International Women's Week Dr. Sally Armstrong "The Power of One"
Friday,
March 1, 2002 Lecture: Weaver Auditorium
Nipissing University
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Reception: Lower Cafeteria
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Nipissing University Read More
=>
March 4 - 8, 2002 | North Bay, Ontario International
Women's Week Film Festival "Blood Sweat And Tears: Women's Rights In A Global World" All Events will be held in the Weaver Auditorium at Nipissing
University at 7:00 pm
Admission is FREE Monday, March 4th | "GIRLFIGHT" Wednesday, March 6th | "ANTONIA'S LINE" Friday, March 8th | "THE CIRCLE" Read More
=>
February
11, 2002 Additions to the site:
"PUBLIC
SERVICES OR PRIVATE PROFITS?"
An Important Forum If you are concerned & worried about what is happening
to our essential "Public Services" then
you won't want to miss this opportunity! Wednesday, March 6, 2002 7:00
pm to 9:00 pm; Best Western 700 Lakeshore Dr. North
Bay
Sponsored by: The North Bay & District Labour Council and
the Nipissing NDP Riding Association. Read
More =>
What
was Flaherty thinking? by
Kira Heineck and Murray MacAdam Submitted
as an opposite the editorial to the Toronto Star on January 30,
2002
Other than finding a way to pay for tax cuts to affluent Ontarians,
there is nothing about Jim Flaherty's promise to limit social
assistance to two years out of every five that makes sense. That
he seems to think so demonstrates how unfit he is to govern our
finances, let alone our province, if he becomes the next Premier.
Everything about Flaherty's plan is wrong-- ethically, economically
and socially. Read More =>
Re: Electricity
Deregulation:
The (Ontario) Provincial Government was asked to name one jurisdiction
in North America where electricity deregulation had resulted in
lower prices and a more stable supply. They couldn't answer. Follow
this link to read 11 questions and some of the answers favoring
a real, publicly owned electricity system. Questions
& Answers About Electricity Deregulation from the Ontario
Electrincity Coalition (EOC)
OHC Press
release dd Feb 6 2002 Coalition Appeals to Romanow: Learn What Not
to Do from Ontario Toronto – Reacting to the pre-report release from the
Romanow Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada, Ontario
Health Coalition spokespeople expressed grave concern over the
four options outlined by the Commission for “reformed”
health care. Using Ontario as an example, the coalition drew attention
to the failures of increased privatization of healthcare. Read
more>>>
"My
Walker and Other Glamorous Accessories"
is a collection of short short stories. The stories feature a
disabled woman and her unorthodox, politically incorrect views
of the world. Writtenby Claire Theriot Mestepey,
a woman with Cerebral Palsy. Read
more at this link
MP Carolyn
Bennett, Liberal backbencher and president of the women's
caucus,
publicly criticized the Prime Minister for not appointing enough
women to his cabinet recently. In a heated exchanged during a
caucus meeting January 27, 2002 the PM gave Ms. Bennett a harsh
dressing down according to reports, claiming she had damaged his
reputation. Bennett had noted that in his new cabinet shuffle
there was only one woman among the 10 new members of cabinet.
Chretien claimed he has done a lot of things for women. Chretien
now has nine women in his cabinet, or 23%. Before the January
15th cabinet shuffle 27% of Cabinet members were women. (He can
prove he has done enough for women by asking for the court's opinion,
according to Beverley Smith's appeal for a judicial reference).
January
30, 2002 Additions to the
site:
Advancing
Women
Diversity Recruiting, Career Training, Conferences, Strategies
to Empower Success in the Workplace
About
- Face
A San Francisco based group, About-Face combats negative and distorted
images of women.
Radiance
Magazine
An empowering, glossy, colourful magazine for women all sizes
of large.
Dads
and Daughters
Progressive fathers' group; DADs provides tools to strengthen
our relationships with our daughters and transform the pervasive
messages that value our daughters more for how they look than
who they are.
Beyond
Denial: Identifying and coping with body image and eating disorders An Eating Disorder Awareness Week Event- Feb. 5, 2002
in Toronto
Sponsored by National
Eating Disorder Information Centre
"Most women and many men experience struggles with body image
and food and weight preoccupation. Because of the 'normality'
of abnormal attitudes and behaviours around food and weight, serious
problems can be missed by both families, friends and health care
workers. With 27% of 12 - 18 year olds in Ontario struggling with
dangerous eating attitudes and behaviours, isn't it time to act?"
when: Tuesday February 5th, 2002 at 7:30pm - Free Admission
where: St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts (27 Front Street East),
Toronto
For more information visit www.nedic.ca/toronto-events.htm
Breast
of Canada is designed as an educational tool that encourages
a proactive approach to breast health and the cultivation of positive
body image. Produced and personally financed by Artist and Entrepreneur
Sue Richards, the calendar offers well researched breast
health information presented in a positive, easy to understand
style. Black-and-white fine art photographs detail the "everyday"
woman's breasts in a health context. By presenting breasts from
a health perspective, women will feel more comfortable and be
able to add to their understanding of their own body. http://www.breastofcanada.comNow 50% off
Public
Forum: "Public Services for Public Profits?" when: Wednesday, March 6, 2002 from 7 pm - 9 pm where:Best Western - North Bay what: Focus will be on Healthcare, Education, Electricity
and Water Hosted by North Bay & District Labour Council &
Nipissing NDP Riding Assoc. More information will be posted when speakers confirmed
Disability
World
The latest bi-monthly issue of DisabilityWorld,
posted online features interviews, news and in-depth articles
on disability issues from 25 countries. In addition, this issue
cites requests for papers or abstracts for 14 international conferences
taking place in 2001-02, and reports on more than 20 recent studies,
books, films and websites.
Re: Sex-Discrimination
in the Not-for-Profit sector
On
Jan. 19, 2002 a Vancouver BC court case granted a $7,500
award for an injury to dignity to Kimberly Nixon. Kimberly Nixon
was born male and has been living for almost twenty years as a
woman. Kimberly Nixon had sex reassignment surgery in 1990 and
was rejected as a volunteer rape counsellor at an organization
for victims of physical or sexual assault because of her history.
A lawyer is quoted as stating that the ruling establishes that
even organizations that help the "disadvantaged" are not immune
from human rights complaints.
Re: Sex-Discrimination
in the Private sector A Washington law firm has launched on Jan. 17, 2002
three sex-discrimination law suits against Boeing, claiming the
aerospace corporation has denied women equal promotions, equal
pay bonuses and overtime, based solely on their gender. The statement
of clim says women at Boeing were assigned to female ghettos and
unskilled job assignments, and were often asked to sweep the floors
or clean up after male workers (editor's note: The issue of gender
bias is a complex one. It seems that any role associated with
'women's work' is treated as second-class. In that respect even
men who do it are treated as lesser. Cleaning is assumed to be
women's work and women are assumed to be anxious to do cleaning.
Caregiving is analogous. However the way to correct this negative
stereotype may well be to address the dignity and the worth of
the role, regardless of gender.)
Re: Caregiving
The Globe and Mail newspaper on Jan. 2, 2000 carried an
editorial regarding caregiving maintaining "Parents must have
real choices. It is not enough to say that an institution or group
home would take their children For some parents, neither is an
appropriate choice. Institutional care for disabled people has
been reduced over the past 40 years because of advances in medicationsand
a sense that smaller, more intimate settings are more humane.
Parents who choose home-based care as the most loving and safest
option deserve support."
Re: Health
Israeli scientists have found Jan. 8, 2002 that attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder may be caused by the immune system.
Researchers at Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Centre have
noted a subtle variation in a gene that makes interleukin-1, which
protects the brain from damage. If the link is proved, fetuses
might one day be treated by gene therapy. In the brain this gene
helps maintain the ability to recover from brain injury and to
respond to stress. Recent research has also found that this gene
is involved in some psychiatric disorders such as depression.
Re: Tobacco
and Minors
Federal government lawyer Maurice Regnier told a court Jan.
14, 2002 that cigarette makers targeted teenagers in marketing
strategies, and profited knowingly from tobacco smuggling. (Documents
to reveal a marketing plan stating "the key 15-19 age group is
a must") Canada's 3 major cigarette firms are in court to challenge
the 1997 Tobacco Act this month (January 2002), which sets tough
restrictions on advertising and sponsorship. They claim the law
infringes on their right to freedom of expression. In 1995 the
Supreme Court of Canada agreed with a similar argument and overturned
earlier tobacco legislation.
Depression
in Children & Adolescents: Stan Kutcher, a psychiatrist at Dalhousie University in Halifax
has released research Jan. 8, 2002 finding that contrary
to popular belief, depression can happen in children and adolescents.
Dr. Kutcher has found what depression does to developing minds
using high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan
brains of young people aged 7 to 18 years. The preliminary results
indicate that the hippocampus is much smaller in the brains of
children suffering from depression and the doral lateral prefrontal
cortex, important for reasoning and logic, is also smaller in
that group. Co-investigator Frank MacMaster has released a recent
study on primates in the Archives of General Psychiatry suggesting
that a small hippocampus may predispose a person to release stress
hormones. The hormone cortisol, thus released can be toxic to
brain cells and if too much is released, neurons die.
Re: Alzheimer's: For those persons providing care of the elderly, there is
some intriguing research lately about Alzheimer's disease. A team
of researchers at the Univeristy of California at Los Angeles
have for the first time been able to see in a living person the
effects of the disease. Physician Joge Barrio and his team developed
a molecule that had an affinity for the tangles that grow up in
plaque inside the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
The study, published Jan. 10, 2002 in the American Journal
of Geriatric Psychiatry, has found that when volunteers are injected
with this molecule, evidence of dementia in the brain becomes
visible on screen. Dr.Barrio hopes that this technique will open
the door to early detection. A recent study has found that some
inflammatory drugs, given early enough, may reduce the risk of
the disease.
Re: Body-piercing
& Tattoos: Doctors at Pace University in New York have released a study
Jan. 9, 2002 finding that of 454 undergrads, more than
half had body piercings and 23% had tattoos. While none of the
tattooed students had medical problems as a result, 17% of students
with piercings had subsequent medical problems including bacterial
infection, bleeding or tearing.
Re: Premature
Babies: A study by Dr. Maueen Hack of the Rainbow Babies and Children's
Hospital in Cleveland has revealed Jan. 17, 2002 that premature
babies born in the late 1970s did not have as high rates of risky
adolescent behavior as did those born after normal term pregnancies.
Although premature babies often show learning difficulties and
neurological problems, and it was expected they might have lower
IQ and then get into more criminal behavior, study results found
that these children were less likely to use alcohol, marijuana
or to be convicted of a crime. Dr. Hack speculates that one reason
for the good behavior of such teens may be that their parents
saw them as particularly precious and watched over them carefully.
Re: Alcohol
and Pregnancy:
A study published Jan. 16, 2002 in the journal Alcoholism:
Clinical & Experimental Research has found that when pregnant
women drink alcohol in their third trimester, the effect on brain
development of the child may be based in the thyroid gland. The
pattern of birth defects known as fetal alcohol syndrome which
can result in brain damage as well as cleft palate and learning
problems affects up to 3% of newborns in aboriginal communities.
The deficiencies are similar to those of children born to hypothyroid
mothers.
Re: Breatsfeeding:
Cindy-Lee Dennis has shown in her doctoral thesis, published Jan.
8, 2002 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal that when
first-time mothers are paired with peer volunteers who have themselves
successfully breast-fed, they are more likely to continue breastfeeding
to age 3 months. Dennis found that the peer support "didn't
decrease the number of problems but it helped the mothers to cope."
Dr. Ruth Lawrence of the University of Rochester school of medicine
in New York has noted that such peer support is part of an age-old
process that modern lifestyles for a time disrupted. The World
Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until the age of
2 years and the Canadian Pediatrics Society and American Academy
of Pediatrics recommend it for at least 6-12 months.
Re: Sex
Information Targetted at Teens Online:
Internet sites that mention 'sex' are regularly filtered out by
monitoring systems so it is difficult for a site geared to medical
information to be seen by teens. Yuri Kokvar of Allard Johnson
marketing agency found he had to avoid the use of the term 'sex'
in order to get past filters created on behalf of the Society
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for kids aged 11 and 12 and
up to learn about pregnancy, sexuality and contraceptives. Health
Canada and Planned Parenthood, and the Eduation Council of Canada
also were involved in setting up the site, which can be seen at
sexualityandu.ca
or at masexualite.ca
Re: Reproductive
Medicine - In Vitro Fertilization:
Alan Beer of the Reproductive Medicine Program at the Chicago
Medical School has released a study Jan. 8, 2002 finding
that when in vitro fertilization fails, many of the women involved
have unusually high levels of an immune system chemical called
tumour necrosis factor alpha. Dr. Beer's speculates that these
natural immune cells attack the embryo in women with recurrent
miscarriages. When medication is give to the women prior to reduce
levels of these cells, prior to in vitro fertilization, the rate
of live births has increased dramatically.
Re:
Mental Health: According
to Health Canada and a Jan. 7, 2002 article in the Globe
and Mail, mental illness especially depression costs the economy
at least $13.4 billion annually. Former federal finance minister
Michael Wilson estimates that this cost represents nearly 14 per
cent of all corporate income. He said the pace of life and the
demands placed on workers 'are such that they tend to promulgate
mental health problems in the labour force."
No caption
as this is so unbelievable and sadly True! In Montreal Jan. 3, 2002 a woman who was not told during
five trips to the doctor that she was pregnant, and who later
gave birth, is suing two doctors for failing to diagnose pregnancy.
The woman maintains that had she known she was pregnant she would
have had an abortion since she not prepared mentally or financially
to be a mother.The woman had complained of irregular periods but
the problems were attributed to fatigue and stress.
Join the Campaign to Save Medicare
In the face of new threats
to Medicare from the Mazankowski Report, the Kirby Commission
and statements by Ernie Eves and other Tory leadership hopefuls,
local meetings are being organized around the province to plan
an urgent and unprecedented campaign to save Medicare. Get Involved!
Follow this link to find
out more about the Campaign and meetings in your area. Follow
this link For essential background documents.
Local
Stakeholders Meeting -- re Assaulted Women Women's Helpline February
8, 2002 from 12 - 4 pm| North Bay, ON An information
meeting hosted by DAWN Ontario will be held on Friday,
February 8, 2002 from 12 - 4 pm at the Anishnabe Friendship Centre,
980 Cassells St. (parking is limited) for local stakeholders working
with assaulted women. Representatives from the Assaulted Women's
Helpline will be in attendance to discuss the expansion of
the Assaulted Women's Helpline to a province-wide mandate. They
wil also be available to answer questions and are eager to meet
with local stakeholders. For more info or to register your interest
in participating, please call or email Barbara Anello at tel:
494-9078 email: anello@thot.net
January
18, 2002 Announcements
The Romanow
Commission on the Future of Healthcare in Canada released
the dates and towns of its cross-Canada hearings today. The Ontario
sites are as follows: Toronto: April
2 | Ottawa:
April 4 |
Sudbury: April
11 Groups
and individuals wishing to appear before the Commission must submit
an abstract or summary of their presentation for consideration
in advance of the public meeting in their community. More info
about the Commission’s “National Dialogue” process is posted
on the Commission’s site at www.healthcarecommission.ca
and a telephone hot-line at 1-800-528-8043 is available
for those seeking information about how to submit an abstract
or summary presentation.
Gloria
Steinem, feminist author and co-founder of Ms. Magazine,
will make a special guest appearance online to chat with student
activists on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2002, 8:00 pm EST
(5:00 pm PST) at www.feministcampus.org/chat.asp.
Commemorating the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973
Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in the United States,
Steinem will address the issue of reproductive choice and the
impending threat to Roe v. Wade, among other feminist issues.Submit
your questions in advance, email Campusteam@feminist.org
Conference: "Feminism
Confronts Disability"
February 15, 2002 | Los Angeles, California
The UCLA Center for the Study of Women will hold a one-day conference
entitled "Feminism Confronts Disability" at the
UCLA Faculty Center. The event will feature leading cultural critics,
historians, policy-makers, performance artists, and graduate students.
For more information or to register, visit the conference webpage
at http://www.women.ucla.edu/csw/disability/.
Conference: "Learning
Opportunities on Self-Determination Implementation"
April 14 - 19, 2002 | Las Vegas, Nevada
A week long and in-depth
series of learning opportunities on self-determination implementation
will take place at the Las Vegas Marriott Suites April 14th to
the 19th of this year. These all day sessions are targeted at
professionals at all levels as well as individuals with disabilities,
advocates and family members. For more info, please visit http://www.self-determination.com/immersion/index.htm
January
17, 2002 Call
For Proposals
CRIAW - the Canadian
Research Institute for the Advancement of Women is offering
grants of $ 2,500 for innovative research projects that
promote the advancement of women. The project must make a significant
contribution to feminist research and be non-sexist, non-racist
and non-homophobic in its methodology and language. Preference
is given to community-based research of sound methodology which
is likely to lead to positive change for women. A regional and
linguistic balance shall be maintained in the awarding of grants.
Priority is given to women's groups and emerging independent researchers.
Grants Application forms are available from the CRIAW office:
tel: (613) 563-0681
fax: (613) 563-0682 E-mail: info@criaw-icref.ca
Web site at www.criaw-icref.ca
Please note
that CRIAW does not fund research which is part of the requirements
for an educational degree nor does it fund projects for aid to
publication (i.e. to publish a completed research project) or
workshops and conferences. CRIAW grants are eligible only to the
Canadian citizens and to landed immigrants.
Deadline for
submission is February 28, 2002. Candidates should send
four copies of their application. Applicants will be sent an acknowledgement
letter and will be notified of the results in late March.
The following
is a partial list of changes in terms of women ministers from
a News Release from the Prime Minister's Office.
[OUT]
The Honourable Maria Minna,
Minister for International Cooperation;
The Honourable Hedy Fry, Secretary
of State (Multiculturalism)(Status of Women);
[IN]
The Honourable Susan Whelan, Minister
for International Cooperation;
[MOVED]
The Honourable Anne McLellan,
who was Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, becomes
Minister of Health;
The Honourable
Claudette Bradshaw, Minister
of Labour, takes on the additional duties of Secretary
of State (Multiculturalism)(Status of Women);
The Honourable
Elinor Caplan, previously
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, becomes Minister of
National Revenue;
January
15, 2002 Additions
to the site
Call
for Submissions
Stories are wanted from parents of children
with disabilities or chronic illnesses, who work outside
the home and have encountered barriers in getting time off work
for their children's health-related needs. Testimonials are being
collected by a task force to push for national social policy change.
Read more
2nd Annual National Awards of Excellence in Disability Management The National
Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) has
established a National Awards program recognizing outstanding
achievements of organizations and individuals who have championed
disability management. To receive a nomination form or for more
information, visit http://www.nidmar.ca
or call 250-724-4344 or 613-260-2951. Deadline for nominations
is January 31, 2002. (please note that the application form is
only available online in PDF format which requires Acrobat Reader;
It is 11 pages long.)
The Manitoba Speech and Hearing Association is holding
its annual conference on January 24-25, 2002. For more information
on the conference, visit the Manitoba
Speech and Hearing Association events page or email: mshaca@escape.ca.
January 27 is Family Literacy Day. Thanks to the recent
Indigo/Chapters merger, close to 100,000 Family Literacy Day bookmarks
and tipsheets will be distributed in Coles, Chapters, and Indigo
bookstores across Canada. Several of these stores will also coordinate
FLD events and activities in partnership with local literacy organizations.
Ontario
Disability Support Program (ODSP)
ODSP is intended to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities
and help them to become more independent. The ODSP has two parts:
Employment Supports provides the supports people with disabilities
need to get and keep jobs, and Income Support provides financial
assistance to people with disabilities.
Do you really
think your employee’s poor performance is due to laziness?
Before you jump to conclusions, Read
More
Can some people
with low vision still make eye contact and, if so, do they really
have low vision? Read
More
"Could
I have answered that question better?" Have you ever asked
yourself a similar question after completing a job interview?
A major pitfall job seekers experience during an interview is
not answering the question that is asked. Read
More
NEW YORK,
January 11, 2002 (Falun Dafa Information Center)
- Thousands of Falun Gong practitioners and supporters are gathering
today in front of Chinese Embassies and Consulates around the
world to launch a 3-day vigil to condemn the recent rampage of
arrests, torture, and killings of Falun Gong practitioners in
China, and to expose the criminals involved. Read
more
Reports
of Four Falun Gong Practitioners Dead from Police Abuse Surface
in a Single Day. Read more
January
10, 2002 In
the News ...
Anti-Abortion Activists
Suffer Court Defeat The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
on Monday upheld a lower court's dismissal of a claim that anti-abortion
activists have a legal right to provide "sidewalk counseling"
outside women's repro... Read
More
Vatican
Directs Priests Accused of Pedophilia to Stand Trial in Secret
Church Courts Scandalized by public outcry over widespread
pedophilia and sexual abuse committed by Catholic clergy, Pope
John Paul II issued a directive ordering the ... Read
More
Bacterial
Vaginosis: A Potentially Serious Problem for Women Read
More
First American
Woman Dies in U.S. War Against Terrorism Read
More
Women Sue
Rent-A-Center for Sex Discrimination Read
More
The powerful
drama series “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” demonstrated
the connections between the “religious right” and the violent
anti-abortion terrorist network in the United States. Anti-abortion
activists have already begun to inundate NBC studios with negative
feedback regarding this startlingly realistic program.
Pro-choice activists must thank NBC for this public
service that exposed the anti-abortion movement’s violent and
extreme tactics. at Take
Action NOW
January
8, 2002 Announcement
New Campaign
for Roe
This January 22, 2002 marks the 29th anniversary of Roe v. Wade,
the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
From January 22-27, 2002, the Feminist Majority’s Million4Roe
Campaign along with the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliances
(FMLAs) will coordinate One Million Voices, a nationwide
week of reproductive rights activism.
Events and
actions of all sizes are being organized by pro-choice people
to raise their communities’ awareness of the impending threat
to Roe. www.OneMillionVoices.com
January
7, 2002
Addition to Research participation request page
3-year, multi-disciplinary project entitled, “Does
Prenatal Diagnosis Discriminate Against People With Disabilities?”
Funded by the Australian Research Council, the project aims to
explicate and critically analyze the meaning(s) of the claim made
by some disability activists that pre-natal screening and diagnosis
programs discriminate against persons with disabilities.
Call for Submissions 2002 Recovery Festival
Sat. March 9, 2002 - Toronto, Canada The Queen Street Outreach Society (QSOS) is a non-profit
organization which
has worked with psychiatric patients at the Queen Street Mental
Health
Centre in Toronto, and in the survivors and consumers community
for several
years. QSOS invites you to submit stories, lectures, essays, artwork,
video,
film, photographs for the March 9, 2002, Festival on Recovery.
Some
topics for exploration include:
Will the Real Recovery Please Stand Up: Challenging Our Definitions
To Empower or to Rehabilitate: Language Issues
Ethics in Mental Health
Arguments Against Recovery
The "Moral Therapy" Movement of the 1800's
Mental Illness and Disability Issues
Personal Recovery Stories
"Sanism"? Discriminating Between Stigma and Discrimination
Family and Friends FAQ's
Race, Class and Recovery
Getting Better with Anger: Human Rights and Political Action
Alternative Treatments, Lifestyles and Societies
Measuring Outcomes: Evaluating Mental Health Services
Instruction
for Submissions:
Please feel free to contact us for more details. All submissions
should
include a title page with presenter's address, phone number, and
e-mail
address if you have one. Also include the title of the work and
a brief
description of how or why you did it. if you send us materials
by email, use
MS Word or RTF formats. Online images should be 72 ppi in JPEG
or GIF
format. Printable images should be submitted on disc at 300 ppi
(TIFF
format). Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if
you would like
your material to be returned.
Please
send your submissions by or before February 8th, 2002 to:
The Recovery Festival Committee
c/o The Queen Street Outreach Society
1339 King Street West
Toronto, ON M6K 1H2
Tel: 416 516 1633
Email: office@qsos.ca
Website: www.qsos.ca
January 4, 2002 Recommended
Link
This January 22, 2002 marks the 29th anniversary
of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme
Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. If we don’t
act now, this could be the last year we celebrate this landmark
decision.
Legal abortion
hangs by a razor-thin 5-4 margin in the Supreme Court and at least
1 justice is likely to retire in 2002...
January 22
- 27, 2002, the Feminist Majority’s Million4Roe Campaign along
with the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliances will coordinate
One Million Voices, a nationwide week of reproductive rights activism.
Events and actions of all sizes are being organized by pro-choice
people just like you to raise their communities’ awareness of
the impending threat to Roe.
Join One Million
Voices and make your voice heard. Show the new ‘Never Go Back’
video, hold a poetry reading, lead a march, or join an event already
happening in your area.
To see a list
of events already going on, or list your event and allow others
to volunteer, visit www.onemillionvoices.com
