Making Equality Matter

An interesting event is coming up which I thought was worth posting about … and it’s my City Councillor.

Toronto Women’s City Alliance and City Councillor Pam McConnell present

Making Equality Matter

Saturday April 5
1:00-3:00, City Hall Chambers, City Council
100 Queen Street West

Krishanti Dhamaraj is the co-founder of Women’s Institute for Leadership Development for Human Rights (WILD), an organization advancing human rights in the United States. With her leadership San Francisco became the first city in the U.S. to pass legislation implementing the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The U.S. government has not yet ratified CEDAW.

While Canada was one of the first countries in the world to ratify CEDAW in 1980, we have yet to fully honour our commitments to women’s international and domestic human rights.

This event is endorsed by the North York Women’s Centre, National Action Committee on the Status of Women, Urban Alliance on Race Relations, Chinese Canadian National Council-Toronto Chapter, Project YouthTube, Community Social Planning Council of Toronto, Toronto & York Region Labour Council. Financial support provided by Status of Women Canada.

NO CUTS TO OUR ESSENTIAL SERVICES

NO CUTS TO OUR ESSENTIAL SERVICES
because it’s tough as hell to swim in empty pools?

Gathering at Nathan Phillips Square
Wednesday, September 19th
4 - 6 PM
please circulate widely

On WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH, 4-6PM we are calling on ALL MEMBERS OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND ANYBODY ELSE to convene at NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE to make it clear that we will not tolerate cuts to our essential services and that we support the Land Transfer tax.

IT’S URGENT: the councillors will be meeting on the 20th to discuss this and we need to show our city officials that we are organized and strong in numbers and that we are horrified by the city’s deteriorating quality of life.

Please show your concern by attending WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th!
because it’s tough as hell to swim in empty pools.

please circulate widely

If you have suggestions for speakers, activities or want to help organize please contact:
Heather Haynes - heather@torontofreegallery.org
Darren O’Donnell - darren@mammalian.ca
Lisa Pijuan-Nomura - girlcancreate@yahoo.ca

- the land transfer tax is a one-time 2% cost payable only when you choose to buy a house; if implemented it will avert large annual property tax increases payable each and every year
- first time home buyers will receive a rebate for the land transfer tax
- only 6 cents of every tax dollar you pay goes to the city. The remaining 94 cents goes to the provincial and federal governments.

30 seconds to save the Arts in Toronto

This is a very important message and one that I feel very passionate about!

Take a moment to read this over, then copy the message below, send an e.mail and forward on to all of your friends!

You are being forwarded this email as a person who cares about Toronto.

Did you know the city’s budget crisis could mean the end to theatres, galleries, festivals, concerts and all funding to writers, artists and musicians? It could also mean the end to libraries, community centres and health programs—everything that makes Toronto one of the world’s most livable cities.

Your action now can prevent this.

The city has never been closer to the brink. In just 30 seconds you can help avert cuts to the fabric of our city:

1. CREATE a new email, addressed to clerk@toronto.ca; cc’d to: dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org, hhampton-qp@ndp.on.ca, john.tory@pc.ola.org

2. TYPE the following subject line: “Yes to land transfer tax. Please copy to Mayor and City Councillors (arts)”

3. PASTE this paragraph into the body of the email (or make up your own):

“Dear Mayor Miller and City Councillors:
My Toronto includes:

• the arts
• libraries
• community centres
• recreation programs
• public health services
• museums
• and the TTC

To protect my city, I support the land transfer tax as an immediate solution to Toronto’s financial crisis.

your name
address
postal code”

4. DON’T FORGET your name, address, and postal code at bottom

5. PRESS send.

PLEASE DO THIS TODAY. THE CITY VOTE WILL BE SEPTEMBER 20!

10,000+ EMAILS NEED TO REACH CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK. EACH ONE WILL BE READ.

FORWARD WIDELY.

There is a lot of misinformation circulating about the land transfer tax. Did you know:

• The land transfer tax is a one-time 2% cost payable only when you choose to buy a house; if implemented it will avert large annual property tax increases payable each and every year
• First time home buyers will receive a rebate for the land transfer tax
• Only 6 cents of every tax dollar you pay goes to the city. The remaining 94 cents goes to the provincial and federal governments.

For more information on the land transfer tax, and the city’s upcoming vote www.fairtaxes.ca.

For more information on Toronto artists’ response to the city budget crisis click www.torontoartscoalition.org.

The artists and audiences of Toronto thank you for adding your voice to the growing movement to save our City.

Signed,
From The Arts For the City

A worthy cause: Making Justice Work for Women

METRAC’s fundraiser - Lerners Balancing the Scales: Making Justice Work for Women

Thursday May 10, 2007 at SPIN Gallery (1100 Queen Street West)

6:30-9:00 PM Silent Auction (DJ Party entry included) - $25 tickets ($35 at the door)

9:00 PM DJ Party only, featuring the soulful sounds of dj vashti - $10 cover at the door

Come to for the Silent Auction, DJ Party, or both!

To purchase tickets: simply fill out the Metrac Form and return to METRAC or order over the phone directly (416-392-4760)

To contact METRAC: 416-392-3135 (main line) or info@metrac.org
More information: www.metrac.org

The Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing and ending violence against women, youth, and children. Proceeds of this event will support METRAC’s Community Justice Program work to help vulnerable women and children experiencing violence know their rights in the legal system.