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OAITH Job Posting - Social Media and Administrative Co-ordinator
OAITH is seeking a Social Media and Administrative Co-ordinator for a nine month contract position for 10 hours per week for nine months.
Rest in Peace Cindy Cowan
It is with sadness and sorrow that I write to tell you of a loss in our movement. Cindy Cowan was a brave, courageous, and passionate advocate for women and children. As a board member of OAITH for many years, Cindy worked tirelessly for change.
Cindy was a warrior for women, fearless and selfless. I will always remember her signature, "Hello, my friend" to all who had the good fortune to cross her path.
Good bye, Cindy and may you enjoy the rest you have so richly earned.
Lee-Anne Lee, Chair
Board of Directors
Action in Calgary both information and a Flash Mob that will touch your heart.
Raise the Roof: Homelessness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q247Wy8Fy3U&list=UUSFWl7nlelhSHJl6DhSRNog&index=1
Calgary Flash Mob: Raising the Roof 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW4Hl_sR-ts&list=UUSFWl7nlelhSHJl6DhSRNog
NDP leader supporting the Liberal budget.
NDP leader Andrea Horwarth announced that she will be supporting the Liberal budget.
http://youtu.be/wbVeVauet48
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a serious human rights violation and a clandestine crime. The consequences of this gendered violence are devastating.
Advocates optimistic after meetings with MPP Bob Bailey
Sweeping changes to Canada’s ‘broken’ family law system may be closer to becoming a reality, say longtime advocates.
MP Maurice Vellacott (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin) recently announced he’ll be reintroducing his private member’s bill on equal parenting in the House of Commons.
Bill C-422, which was first introduced in June 2009, would instruct family law judges to automatically apply the principle of equal shared parenting unless it’s not in the best interests of the children involved.
“Our status quo (right now) is mom is the custodial parent,” said Paulette MacDonald, a longtime family law reform advocate. “If dad is lucky, he’ll get to see the kids once every other weekend and possibly Wednesday if he’s lucky.”
But MacDonald is hopeful that practice will become history thanks to the work of family law reform advocates.
“We’re putting a lot more pressure on the government to enact change,” the Oshawa woman said.
MacDonald…
UN indigenous rapporteur unable to enter Canada
A United Nations (UN) rapporteur on indigenous rights is still waiting for permission to enter Canada more than a year after sending the federal government a formal request.
James Anaya, the UN special rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous peoples, originally sent a request make an official visit to Canada in February 2012 and, despite sending two more requests, has yet to get a response from the federal government.
In a letter sent to the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) obtained by APTN National News, Anaya wrote that the Canadian government has continued to ignore his year-old request to visit Canada to investigate the “human rights situation of Indigenous peoples.”
“I have communicated with the government of Canada to request its consent for me to conduct an official visit to the country to examine and report on the human rights situation of Indigenous peoples there,” Anaya wrote in the Feb. 20 letter to UBCIC. “I initially made the request in February…
Groups deliver ice blocks to MPPs to push for end to minimum wage freeze
Local poverty activists and labour organization representatives presented local MPPs with symbolic blocks of ice Friday containing a pictorial representation of $10.25, which has been the minimum wage in Ontario since 2010. In the past, Ontario's minimum wage increases have happened on March 31, which is why the groups decided to take action.
Hamilton's Social Planning and Research Council and other local and provincial groups are calling for the provincial minimum wage to be raised to $14 per hour.
Deirdre Pike, senior social planner for the SPRC, said the province's minimum wage should reflect the actual cost of living, which is not currently the case. Pike said the government has kept minimum wage frozen at $10.25 for the past three years because it overestimate projections for the deficit.
“[The Ontario government] scares us into this austerity agenda, saying there's no money for this,” said Pike. “We see joblessness numbers have decreased, and people…
Commons approves transgender rights bill
A bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender Canadians was approved by the House of Commons today.
The Opposition private member's legislation passed by a vote of 149-137, with the crucial support of 18 Conservatives, including four cabinet ministers.
It was one of the first tests of the Conservative caucus' resolve on lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) rights in Canada at a time when Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has been mounting a strong defence of such rights abroad.
Baird, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt and Heritage Minister James Moore were among the Conservatives who supported the bill. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, most of his front bench and the vast majority of his backbenchers opposed it.
Opposition parties were united in their support for the bill, sponsored by New Democrat Randall Garrison.
