Maytree

13 Ontario city mayors wrote to the premier on October 31 asking him to use the notwithstanding clause to override a court decision preventing municipalities from clearing homeless encampments if their shelters are full. Diana Chan McNally has launched a petition in opposition to the use of the notwithstanding clause to clear encampments. As she told CBC, the mayors "want to take away their own responsibility for homelessness, to provide things like shelter, affordable housing, services for homeless people automatically in the case of clearing encampments." "This is why we elect our officials, including the premier. What I don't want to see is that we start basically taking away people's essential charter rights because we don't actually want to solve the housing crisis for those most impacted by it," she said.   "I question what is the point of evicting people if you don't have anywhere for them to go. They will just end up in another park and it won't actually solve the problem." Sign the petition: https://lnkd.in/gXv2SrM6

This evening, I had the opportunity to present alongside brilliant #humanrights champions like Alex Neve, Meghan Doherty, Anjum Sultana MPH (She/Her), Alexi White, Shelagh Day, Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, and Nishin Nathwani, Ph.D. on Canada’s record on human rights implementation (including implementing the Universal Periodic Review). Though the meeting was cut short and there is so much more to say - the message was loud and clear from all witnesses that Canada needs National Framework for International Human Rights Implementation. We need to know who in government is responsible for human rights. Rights holders and civil society organizations need to know that engaging in international accountability mechanisms by Canada isn’t just a check box excercise. We have some proof points from Canada’s #right2housing mechanisms of how meaningful engagement can inspire rights-based policies and outcomes. But we cannot champion ourselves as champions of human rights on the global stage if we do not lead by example at home. To watch: https://lnkd.in/e-wbS3Cf Stay up to date on what this means for the right to housing by signing up for National Right to Housing Network’s newsletter: https://lnkd.in/ejA4TvGb Jessica T.

The countdown is on for the The Samara Centre for Democracy for Democracy’s annual In Defence of Democracy live event at Toronto’s Winter Garden Theatre! 🎉✨ This year’s speaker is Pulitzer Prize & Peabody Award-winning investigative journalist Connie Walker 🏆, who’ll be in conversation with Nahlah Ayed, host of CBC Radio’s IDEAS🎙️. Don’t miss this inspiring evening that will explore the importance of storytelling in advancing reconciliation, justice, and democratic renewal! 🎟️ Tickets available now: https://buff.ly/4e7Id3C 🗓️ Thursday, November 14th 🕰️ 6:30 pm 📍 Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto

Tomorrow Maytree's Director of Systems Change Alexi White will join seven other human rights experts and advocates to appear before the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR). They will argue for a stronger focus on advancing Canada’s human rights record here at home. Their recommendation is for the federal government take the lead in working with provincial and territorial governments to develop and adopt a National Framework for International Human Rights Implementation. Read the press release for more details: https://lnkd.in/ghPhv6Qf

NEW: Good governance is not an easy thing. A strong human rights framework, accepted by all levels of government, gives us transparency on whether every person is being supported effectively by their government. Without it, we’ll get more of the same: provincial government failure in their duty of care and duty to protect. Read this month's Opinion from Alan Broadbent and Elizabeth McIsaac:

Now Accepting Applications for MYAAP! Are you aged 16-29 and passionate about creating positive change in your community? The Malvern Youth Advocacy and Action Program (MYAAP) is here to equip you with the skills to become a changemaker and community advocate! Scan the QR code or visit https://bit.ly/40bAZaG to apply! For queries, reach out to Lauren Gallacher at lgallacher@mfrc.org. . . Maytree #CommunityAdvocacy #MalvernYouth #Changemakers #MYAAP #TorontoStudents #TorontoCollege #TorontoUniversity

Urgent survey: Deadline is Sunday, October 27. From TTCriders' Shelagh Pizey-Allen: "The TTC has announced that they will stop accepting TTC tokens and paper tickets on December 31, 2024. But the TTC says it will not be issuing exchanges.    This is unfair to people who have saved up tokens and tickets, especially low-income seniors. Gift cards and permanent stamps never expire -- why are transit fares any different?   This is a concern we have heard a lot about in recent years from immigrant senior communities, who still have many tickets saved up. Since so few people still use legacy tokens/tickets to pay (less than 1%), it's not asking much of the TTC to have an exchange program. Survey and sign-on letter deadline: before SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27th at midnight so TTCriders can share information and your views with City Councillors on the TTC Board. (They have a meeting on October 29th - there is no report so no chance to speak)." Take the survey: https://lnkd.in/gU4wUbwZ

NEW REPORT: The history of domestic implementation of Canada’s international human rights commitments is disappointing, particularly when it comes to economic and social rights. Over the past 75 years, Canada has neglected to build the necessary legal foundations, government structures, and political will at home to institutionalize human rights and provide accountability to rights holders. Many countries struggle to live up to their human rights obligations, but few position themselves as a global human rights champion the way Canada does. This report analyzes the gaps in Canada’s human rights implementation mechanisms and makes recommendations for reforms at both national and provincial/territorial levels. Read the report 👉 https://lnkd.in/g8EWfYne

NEW: Diana Chan McNally writes about how front-line workers can benefit from public policy training and why policy-makers should listen to front-line workers like her. Read her story: https://lnkd.in/gr4YYm5e

Next Monday, join the next Five Good Ideas session to hear Sarada Peri discuss how to create persuasive messaging for advocacy. Register today: https://lnkd.in/g_2C6YvU