Community News

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and the City of Ottawa invite you to join at:

Taking it local: A municipal update on human rights

Friday, February 15, 2013

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Council Chambers

City Hall

110 Laurier Avenue West

Ottawa, Ontario

 

This FREE one-day training event features:

§ Morning plenary on the OHRC’s new Policy on Competing Human Rights

§ Afternoon plenary on mental health/addiction disabilities and human rights

Workshops on:

· Disability and accommodation

· Creed, freedom of religion and human rights

· Anti-racism and anti-discrimination for municipalities

· Preventing sexual and gender-based harassment

Other benefits:

§ Learn more about what the OHRC is doing to make communities more welcoming and inclusive for everyone

§ Network and share your ideas about advancing human rights in your municipality

§ Luncheon and refreshments provided

RSVP

You can register by replying to this e-mail (communications@ohrc.on.ca) or calling Alicia Carr at 416-314-4526. If you need an accommodation based on a Code ground to attend, let us know when you respond.

Please respond by Monday, January 21, 2013.

Please distribute this invitation to anyone who would be interested in this event. But respond early – spaces are limited.

This Peach Paper is CAWI’s (City for All Women Initiative) response to the 2011 Governance Review, in which FEDCO (Finance and Economic Development Committee) has been tasked with assessing the City of Ottawa’s governance structures and processes, and making recommendations for improving resident engagement.

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OC Transpo Bus Route Changes and You

How have recent bus route changes affected you, your family and community?

It has been three weeks since changes to 21 bus routes went into effect with the aim of saving the City $20 million dollars a year.

City Council and OC Transpo need to hear from you as to whether these changes have had a positive or negative impact on your access to bus services. Let your Councillor, the Transit Commission and OC Transpo know the positive or negative impact the route changes have on you and your community. You may take this opportunity to thank them for listening to the community on reinstating No. 106 and ask that they continue to listen to the community. We need a bus system that encourages all of us to take the bus and access services.

Call or send your message: OC Transpo: Complete the feedback form on the OC Transpo website or call Customer Relations 613-842-3600

Your City Councillor or Chair of Transit Commission: Councillor Diane Deans: 613-580-2480, Diane.Deans@ottawa.ca

City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) had a strong presence in the Women’s World Congress 2011 where 1800 women from around the world participated July 3-7, here in Ottawa. The largest women’s gathering in Canadian history! CAWI members participated in the many workshops, volunteered and joined in the March of Solidarity with Aboriginal women and their families to call for an end to the disappearance and murder of Aboriginal women in Canada. Using the image of butterflies, CAWI presented a workshop with City staff on the partnership between CAWI and the City that has led to the development and implementation of the Equity and Inclusion Lens in the City of Ottawa. CAWI coordinated Open Houses in four community based women’s organization so they could share the work of their organizations with delegates from out of town (The Well, Minwaashin Lodge, Immigrant Women’s Service Organization, Amethyst Women’s Addiction Centre). CAWI developed a walking tour guide, “Women’s Eyes on Ottawa” where visitors could visit downtown Ottawa to see it through women’s eyes. CAWI staff, Valerie Assoi and Suzanne Doerge, had the privilege of being MC’s in the plenary sessions each day. In this way, CAWI demonstrated our solidarity with women around the world who are also seeking greater inclusion in our communities, our cities, our countries and our world.