Voices in the media

The links below feature DiverseCity Voices candidates as well as articles and press releases related to the program.

Embassy - Canada's Foreign Policy Newspaper: Canada's gay rights defence is all hot air Written by AKIM ADE LARCHER
Tamil Canadian: Diversity and Inclusion: Going Beyond the ‘To Do’ List PIRAGAL THIRU is a 2011 DiverseCity Fellow, an initiative of DiverseCity: The Greater Toronto Leadership Project, and a Board of Director with the Canadian Tamil Congress.
The Toronto Star: Project Unbreakable gives sexual abuse survivors a forum to speak “It’s kind of a huge secret and a huge reality at the same time,” said Andrea Gunraj, a communications specialist with Toronto’s Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children. “There aren’t many opportunities for people who have experienced violence, particularly sexual violence, to share their stories,” she said.
The Varsity: Negotiations underway for food workers’ union AMARJEET KAUR CHHABRA of UNITE HERE Local 75 says that based on the union’s record with hotels and other food service industries, an agreement with the universities is achievable. “We are hopeful that we can arrive at new collective agreements that strengthen campus food service jobs as good jobs with decent wages and benefits,” said Chhabra in an email to The Varsity.
The Toronto Star: Bob Marley’s granddaughter takes epic journey in new doc about Rasta PATRICIA SCARLETT, who was born in Jamaica, says: “Most of the broadcasters that I went to told me quite plainly that they didn’t think there was an audience for this film and certainly NOT a Canadian audience. “Financing was a big issue,” Scarlett says. “Although our budget of $650,000 was not over the moon, I suspect that some of the broadcasters felt that I couldn’t raise the funds, so they were not interested in supporting the project. What they didn’t understand is that I’m Jamaican and as such we know how to ‘try a ting.’
Winnipeg Free Press: Search of literary journals discovers poetry at its 'best' The Best Canadian Poetry in English 2011 (Tightrope, 160 pages, $20), edited by Toronto's PRISCILA UPPAL, with series editor Molly Peacock, offers a strong selection of work (despite the inclusion of this reviewer's own poems), culled from literary journals published in 2010.
THE TORONTO QUARTERLY: The Best Canadian Poetry in English 2011 (Tightrope Books) - A Review This year’s guest editor, PRISCILA UPPAL admits her decision to take on the editorship for this project was a no-brainer from the very start, even though the project involved countless hours of reading, comprising a best fifty shortlist, then another fifty poems for the longlist, and then finally writing an introduction and trying to make sense of the entire experience.
Ismailimail: York Region Spoken Word Slam SHENIZ JANMOHAMED wins first York Region Spoken Word Slam
YorkRegion.com: United Way record “United Way is like our parent organization,” Dr. NAILA BUTT said. “We feel like we’re United Way’s baby. They gave us our first funding in 2004, $30,000, now we’re helping bridge the Chinese and South Asian communities with main stream agencies. “They gave us the opportunity. They recognize the needs of their agencies. We’re very proud to be a member agency.”
Global Toronto: Brandon Hay - Founder of Black Daddies Club BRANDON HAY, founder of Black Daddies Club talks about parenting issues fathers face in today's society.
Mississauga.com: Square in contest to find country's great places LOUROZ MERCADER, president and founder of the Mississauga Youth Games, nominated the Mississauga's Celebration Square to be named one of the great public spaces in Canada.
South Asian Generation Next: Making Community Work a Passion: MUNIRA RAVJI “I think it’s important for employers to see immigrants as coming to the table with assets, not deficits. Having employees with global experience that speak multiple languages, makes Canadian businesses more competitive globally, and opens up new markets to individuals such as newcomers and immigrants they may not have been able to reach before.”
Oye! Times: Asha & Ravi Jain's A Brimful of Asha in Toronto Real-life mother and son, Asha and RAVI JAIN, share the stage and tell this true (and very Canadian) story of generational and cultural clash. Asha believes it's time for Ravi to get married and it's up to her to help him find a bride. Ravi, however, is not so sure. He's just embarked on an exciting new phase in his professional life that means marriage will have to wait - at least for a little while.
South Asian Generation Next: Immigration, Sexuality, Loss and Redemption: Themes of Farzana Doctor’s Novels Toronto-based author and social worker, FARZANA DOCTOR's first novel is called “Stealing Nasreen”. It received wide acclaim from the Globe and Mail, Quill and Quire, and NOW Magazine. “Six Metres of Pavement” is her second novel. She has also co-written a manual for therapists and was part of the video collective that produced the documentary, “Rewriting the Script”.
Winston Charles Arbitration Magazine: The Risks Of Going Back To School Written by WINSTON CHARLES.
The Toronto Star: New DiverseCity leaders ready to make their mark - thestar.com RAKHI HENDERSON and LEONARDO ZUNIGA are among DiverseCity 2012 fellows, part of the GTA Leadership Project.
Huffington Post: Courting the Ethnic Vote: What Liberals Can Learn From Rob Ford Written by REVA SETH.
dowser: Jennifer Chan of Exhibit Change on Early Lessons as an Entrepreneur | Dowser JENNIFER CHAN founded Exhibit Change to encourage impact through design thinking and to promote community building. The organization serves as a think tank for people to share ideas and designs, and to create healthier communities and neighborhoods.
YorkRegion.com: Leaders ‘comatose’ about female feticide, says Family Services therapist Dr. NAILA BUTT, executive director of Social Services Network which serves the South Asian community in York Region, said some in her community feel pressure to have male babies, but she urged caution. “Yes, some practices trickle over, and some bring baggage along, but this practice is minimal. I am concerned that they are targeting certain communities ... lumping together” ethnic groups that are hugely diverse.
YorkRegion.com: Awareness, innovation key in hard times The Social Services Network in Markham attracted more than 1,200 clients in 2011, executive director Dr. NAILA BUTT said. A lack of sustainable core funding is the network’s biggest hurdle. Advocacy and fundraising are pillars in its strategy, she said.
Mixed in Canada: Interview with Adebe DeRango-Adem, Co-Editor of “Other Tongues” | If someone were to ask me if there is one book in particular regarding the mixed-race experience that has never left my nightstand, I would without hesitation answer ADEBE DERANGO-ADEM's Other Tongues: Mixed-Race Women Speak Out.
The Globe and Mail: Mutual funds have their place in a portfolio Finding the right mutual fund means determining the right fit for your portfolio, especially based on your risk tolerance and investment time horizon, says TINA TEHRANCHIAN, a certified financial planner and the branch manager at Assante Capital Management Ltd. in Richmond Hill, Ont.
YorkRegion.com: Number of people needing aid rises Changing demographics, the need for culturally appropriate services and increased awareness about the Social Services Network attracted more than 1,200 clients to the Markham-based agency in 2011, executive director Dr. NAILA BUTT said. The network serves the widely diverse South Asian community that represents numerous cultures, languages and faith groups. Programs range from cultural preservation and settlement to seniors and youth.
CBC news: What are your New Year's resolutions? The new year is typically a time of reflection, rejuvenation and renewal. It's also a good time to ask ourselves who we want to be and what we want to do in the next twelve months -- and because 2012 is a leap year, we even get one extra day to accomplish our goals! On a recent episode of Toronto radio show Metro Morning, RITU BHASIN gave some tips on how to make realistic resolutions, and how best to keep them.
Montreal Serai: Ghazaling in English – A Canadian Poet’s Literary Journey Written by SHENIZ JANMOHAMED
The Globe and Mail: Who's reading what - Notables share their favourite 2011 books DEWYANI SALTZMAN, the author of Shooting Water and curator of literary programming at Toronto’s Luminato festival
SunTV : Omar Ha-Redeye with Alex Pierson OMAR HA-REDEYEexplains the 3-part test on injunctions.
The Globe and Mail: For a civic activist, a city is about creating opportunities MITZIE HUNTER is set to take the helm of CivicAction, the not-for-profit organization founded by the late David Pecaut to address challenges to the Toronto region’s social and economic future.
Toronto SUN: Feeding those in need “Good Shepherd relies heavily on volunteers and we have thousands of volunteers,” added AKLILU WENDAFEREW, assistant executive director of the Good Shepherd Ministries.
Open Book: Toronto: Farzana Doctor Wins Rainbow Award FARZANA DOCTOR recently won the 2011 Rainbow Award in the category of Best Lesbian Contemporary General Fiction for her novel Six Metres of Pavement.
Mediacaster Magazine: Canadian Ethnic Media Celebrate Journalistic Excellence across Multiple Media Platforms The Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) annually recognizes and celebrates excellence in ethnic media. This year marked the 33rd Annual Awards Gala, and the first time it was held at Harbourfront's Enwave Theatre.
The Toronto Star: Minimum wage hike key to cutting poverty “The government says the best route out of poverty is a job,” says DEENA LADD, of the Workers’ Action Centre, a non-profit, worker-based organization. “But people working full time earning minimum wage are still having trouble paying the bills.”
The Toronto Star: TD commits $1 million to United Way financial literacy strategy ROXANA ZULETA, executive director of the multiservice Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre said the economic downturn continues to affect the poor. “People are being pushed,” she said, adding those who rely on payday loan companies, for example, “start the circle of debt that’s hard to get out of.”
Huffington Post: Why I Hate Santa Written by REVA SETH
660News: Internet impacts charitable giving The CEO of CandaHelps.org says while physical donations might be down, on-line charitable donations in Calgary this year are up almost 16 per cent over 2010. OWEN CHARTERS tells 660News much like online shopping, more and more Canadians are turning to the Internet to give back to the community. Charters says with a simple click of a button, people can select the charity of their choice, along with a dollar amount and get an automatic tax receipt.
Mississauga.com: Toy Tea aids children Interim Place development coordinator FARHEEN KHAN-UMER said the gifts are important. They connect the recipients to community at a time when they're feeling alone and life seems bleak. "The ones who are forgotten are newborns and teenagers," said Khan-Umer. "Just because they're in a shelter doesn't mean teens don't want electronics and things their friends want. For them, gift cards are wonderful."
PROFIT: Ray Cao founded a niche beauty business after abandoning Plan A When RAY CAO first went into business almost two years ago, he had big plans to shake up the world of apparel e-commerce. But plans change. Almost eight months after launching Loose Button, he realized he was on the wrong course. “The space was becoming incredibly saturated,” he says. “So, we decided to make a pivot.”
InsideToronto: Mitzie Hunter to take CivicAction helm Toronto Community Housing CAO MITZIE HUNTER brings intimate knowledge of critical social housing needs to her new post as CEO of the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance.
Omar Ha-Redeye on SunTv explaining the Oakes Test OMAR HA-REDEYE with Brian Dunstan of Sun News Live about the Occupy Toronto action.
The Globe and Mail: My neighbours may be exploiting their nanny According to DEENA LADD, co-ordinator at the Toronto-based Workers’ Action Centre, you first need to establish “agency” on the nanny’s part – i.e. does she really want to leave? That’s crucial. Because, if she’s just venting, you may not be doing her any favours by wading in and attempting unilaterally to “solve” this problem. From what you’ve said, it sounds like she is probably here under the auspices of the federal government’s “live-in caregiver program.”
The Toronto Star: Will new black-music station go with the Flow... Now, after its own nine-year quest, including three licence applications, 98.7 FM — billed as “urban adult contemporary” — represents a second chance at a forum for the black community’s ails and aspirations, as well as for aficionados of black-oriented music. “It’s actually a sharp move on their part,” posited black Toronto pop culture critic DALTON HIGGINS.
The Globe and Mail: Who will replace the faith-based donors? “Who replaces that? Can you replace that?” asks OWEN CHARTERS, executive director of CanadaHelps, a non-profit organization that facilities online donating. Mr. Charters attended the Imagine Canada National Summit for charities and non-profits in Ottawa last week, where he says a top subject was how to instill a philanthropic mindset in the next generation – an issue that as grown as religious belief has declined.
The Toronto Star: Mitzie Hunter named new CEO of CivicAction An interview with MITZIE HUNTER
Canadian Immigrant: The 30/60/90 day plan Written by GAUTAM NATH
Financial Post: Open doors policy: Law firm spearheads diversity movement TERRIE-LYNNE DEVONISH, chief counsel for Aon Canada, an insurance, risk management and HR consulting firm in Toronto is an alumnus of FMC. She contends it is important for the legal profession to ensure its own staffing reflects the diversity of its client base. “FMC is in the forefront of doing just that. I don’t know what all firms are doing but they are absolutely dedicated in this area.”
The Globe and Mail: A bundle of joy need not bust your budget “Your priorities will change when you have a baby so you might want to cut down on your longer-term saving goals to focus on the short term,” says TINA TEHRANCHIAN, a certified financial planner with Assante Capital Management Ltd.
The Globe and Mail: ‘Sandwich generation’ has a smorgasbord of options “It’s important to be disciplined about having both a short- and long-term savings plan, and sticking to it in good and bad times,” says TINA TEHRANCHIAN, a certified financial planner with Assante Capital Management in Richmond Hill, Ont.
The Toronto Star: Elite athletes play where children can’t Written by Jennifer Arango, Dominique Rivière and KAREN SUN.
South Asian Focus: It's up to us to break the ice Dr. NAILA BUTT says: "The major problem for our newcomers is cultural barriers. The cultural shift is too much for us and we need to prepare people for this shift. Family violence is something which not only affects men, but also women, children, even the whole family, the neighbourhood and the community."
The Globe and Mail: Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Robin Cardozo is creating healthy communities ROBIN CARDOZO is chief executive officer of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. He has held the role since 1999.
Winnipeg Free Press: Making a list -- of charities OWEN CHARTERS, executive director of CanadaHelps, said they have a different way of telling when it's beginning to look like Christmas. "The phone starts ringing and the mailbox fills up," Charters said. "This is the big time of year. November and December is a huge time of the year for giving." Last year, CanadaHelps processed more than $47 million in donations. "The phone starts ringing and the mailbox fills up," Charters said. "This is the big time of year. November and December is a huge time of the year for giving." Last year, CanadaHelps processed more than $47 million in donations.
Epoch Times: On Genetically Modified Seeds Written by NIDHI TANDON
CityNews.ca: Lawyer for Occupy Toronto thinks judge will rule in favour of city Occupy Toronto lawyer OMAR HA-REDEYE believes the judge will rule to evict the protesters from St. James Park.
South Asian Focus: "Pindi doc today in driver's seat, at SSN Giving useful tips and sharing some amazing experiences in an interview with Focus, Dr NAILA BUTT, one of the successful newly arrived immigrants, says directions are something that confuse and puzzle new immigrants the most everyday.
The Globe and Mail: Eating right keeps farming sector healthy Consumers’ expanding appetite for healthy, environmentally friendly food is giving a boost to Canadian farms. Next year, the agriculture sector is projected to expand at a rate of about 2 per cent, according to BMO Capital Markets senior economist KENRICK JORDAN.
Financial Post: Where bright ideas are born “Our product works like a magazine subscription but instead of getting a magazine every month, you’re getting a beautiful box with four to five beauty samples to try. It’s almost like delivering the beauty counter to your home,” says RAY CAO, who was recently named one of the winners of this year’s FuEL Awards for young entrepreneurs in Canada.
Advisor.ca: PRPPs - New vehicle, same old problems TINA TEHRANCHIAN, financial advisor, Assante Capital Management, says she’s not sure if the PRPPs are addressing issues that are causing lack of participation in retirement savings plans.
The Globe and Mail: Maytree’s Alejandra Bravo shakes up the civic landscape ALEJANDRA BRAVO is manager of leadership programs at Toronto-based Maytree, a private charitable foundation committed to reducing poverty and inequality in Canada and to building strong civic communities. She has held the role for five years.
The Globe and Mail: Targeting Canada’s ‘invisible’ Hispanic community “Chinese and South Asian are still the predominant groups,” said BOBBY SAHNI, the head of multicultural marketing for Rogers Communications Inc., who also addressed the THCC meeting. “So from a marketer’s perspective, obviously you’re going for scale, you’re trying to cover your big wins. That’s just the reality of any marketing – whether it’s multicultural, mass mainstream, or whatever – you want to get the biggest bang for your buck.”
The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Omar Ha-Redeye - Supporting Occupy Toronto It is almost one month since Occupy Toronto protesters set up camp in downtown Toronto. While not everyone may agree with all or even most of Occupy's demands or sentiments, lawyer OMAR HA-REDEYE says these individuals might be the impetus we need for further change. He sits down with Steve Paikin to tell him why.
Schema Magazine : Interview with Aram Collier and Jennifer Chan at Reel Asian 2011 Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Schema Magazine talks to industry series director Aram Collier. and Channel Zero VP and board member JENNIFER CHAN.
CBC Radio One: Diversity in Local Government On November 8, 2011 LOUROZ MERCADER was a guest on CBC’s Radio One, speaking on the Diversity in Local Government segment about the importance of diversity in leadership in the GTA. The GTA may be proud of its diversity, with 40-percent of Toronto residents not born in Canada, but the composition of local governments doesn’t mirror the population. CBC Radio spoke with Louroz Mercader, a former candidate in Mississauga’s civic election.
Sway Magazine: A profile of community leader Wangari Muriuki As she ponders a run for elected office, WANGARI MURIUKI once told Maytree Foundation, “Community engagement is crucial for all of us. Our mental, physical and environmental health all depends on our community engagement. Our children’s future depends on our engagement in our communities.”
Ottawa Business Journal: Engineering grads pair beauty and smarts Messrs. Cao and Shah are highly analytical and believe in the value of tracking metrics to help build an enterprise and make it smarter. So they decided to do something about this part of the industry and, in doing so, created one of the most innovative 21st-century business models yet. Their value proposition goes something like this: "We're the Netflix of the beauty products industry, but with eHarmony for brains," says RAY CAO.
Leader Post: BMO sees bright future for Prairie farmers After a “flat year’’ in 2011, Prairie farmers can look forward to better times in 2012 and beyond, thanks to continued strong prices, global population growth and increasing demand for food, says the author of a recent report on Canada’s agriculture sector. “We expect that prices are still going to be pretty good,” said KENRICK JORDAN, senior economist with BMO Capital Markets, whose agricultural industry outlook report was released Monday. Prices, which had been falling in the first half of 2011, picked up in the second half and are expected to continue to recover in 2012.
CTV News: This mortgage can make your reno happen Depending on the homebuyers’ current situation, the PPIP can offer more benefits than a traditional line of credit. “Most banks will give you a line of credit of up to 80 per cent of the market value of the property, whereas the PPP/CMHC-insured mortgage can go up to 95 per cent of the improved value of the property, so it provides a way for homeowners who've only got 5 per cent of the down payment to be able to buy the home they want and improve it as well,” says TINA TEHRANCHIAN CFP financial advisor at Assante Capital Management Ltd.
South Asian Focus: Domestic abuse cases continue to chart steady rise Quoting Statistics Canada, the chief said six per cent of Canadians reported being sexually abused by the spouse in the last five years while females experience more serious spousal violence than males. Added NAILA BUTT, executive director of SSN: "It's neither a new issue nor exists in one particular community, it's there across the board, for a long time." Butt added that family abuse is on the rise, particularly in Ontario.
Canadian Bookshelf: Farzana Doctor on Queer, South Asian Identity and Being a Psychotherapist An interview with FARZANA DOCTOR
Mississauga.com: Youth enjoy competition "The MY Games shows how sport unites all ages, genders and cultures in our city. Young aspiring athletes will benefit greatly from their experience here at these Games," said president and founder LOUROZ MERCADER. "We look forward to helping inspire and train future athletes who might compete for Canada at the Pan American Games or Olympics in the future."
Winston Charles Arbitration Magazine: Retail Store Detectives Might Be Watching The Wrong Suspects Written by WINSTON CHARLES
The Toronto Star: Training a new kind of leader For a guy who wants to help youth on the edge, LEKAN OLAWOYE brings the dream resumé; he grew up in social housing in the Jamestown part of Rexdale, one of Toronto’s 13 most needy neighbourhoods, and he wanted to return to his roots “to support young people who looked like me.”
InsideToronto: Library newcomer program marks three years In just three short years, the Library Settlement Partnership has made a difference in the lives of thousands of newcomers in Toronto and beyond - just ask CELIA CRUZ-HEW of CultureLink. A library settlement worker at the Eatonville branch of the Toronto Public Library in Etobicoke, Cruz-Hew receives almost daily emails, phone calls and visits from the clients whose lives have been changed by the program. "It's a helping profession and you bear so many rewards, in terms of people coming back to you and saying, you know, I'm working now, I'm in school right now, I'm getting married, or I have kids now," she said. "A lot of good news comes back to me, and it's almost every day."
Qaranimo Online: Walk for Somalia Team Meets the Public at Toronto City Hall IGE EGAL, the media liaison for the heroic team, outlines the four main goals of Walk for Somalia.
The Globe and Mail: Joy of Aging event not your standard hospital fundraiser TINA TEHRANCHIAN and Janine Purves decided to put together a grassroots event that would raise awareness, and money, for their local hospital, York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill, Ont. “We came up with the idea of doing an event that would be exclusively for women,” said Ms. Tehranchian, who works as a financial planner with Ms. Purves at Assante Wealth Management Ltd. “Since we are both financial planners, and we are advising people about retirement and issues that have to deal with aging, we thought ‘Why don’t we do this fundraiser to raise awareness about the hospital and address issues around aging?’”
South Asian Focus: Whither multiculturalism... or wither multiculturalism? But docket us they will, said poet SHENIZ JANMOHAMED: "I was born in Canada, my parents are from East Africa, we're of Indian (Gujarati) ancestry, I'm young, a woman, and a Muslim to boot. But I don't even speak Gujarati. How do you connect to your ancestry if you can't speak in that language? Yet Canada says, 'Choose!' And if I don't choose my identity, they choose it for us!"
TrustLaw: Sexual And Reproductive Rights: More Than Just Health By SANDRA DUGHMAN MANZUR with Shareen Gokal
The Toronto Star: Mompreneurs: Powerful business network or pink-collar ghetto? REVA SETH is a lawyer who worked in corporate public relations and launched her own consulting business after her first child was born five years ago. Seth, 35, has interviewed more than 100 working mothers while researching a forthcoming book on career success after motherhood. “Inevitably the question of the term mompreneur comes up,” she says. Opinions are divided between those who embrace it as a marketing and networking moniker, those who consider it demeaning when it’s still an uphill battle to find financing and be taken seriously, and others who say it’s only intended for women selling mom and baby products.
Canada.com: Unfamiliar rules, red tape create extra problems for immigrant entrepreneurs Getting that experience is why social capital in the form of ethnic networks and family ties are critical in the foundation and operation of businesses, says SANDEEP AGRAWAL, professor and program director at Ryerson University. ``The most prevalent difficulties new immigrant entrepreneurs face include lack of funding, lack of support (from the government) and cultural differences. To overcome these difficulties, they rely on their own efforts and their resilience, a crucial characteristic of an immigrant entrepreneur.''
Law Times News: LSUC extends Justicia Benchers approved a two-year extension to the program at Convocation last month, a move welcomed by RITU BHASIN, a lawyer who bills herself as a diversity specialist at Bhasin Consulting Inc. “The law society has taken a real leadership role in the whole process,” she says. “They’ve brought together a range of firms, in addition to representatives from large firms, to discuss this important issue and form a think tank, a collective gathering of information. Because I work a lot with equality issues, I think people coming together to share ideas is very important.”
Canadian Lawyer Magazine: Bay Street firms not just for 'cigar-smoking, old, white male partners' The evening ended with a closing speech from Out on Bay Street then-president LUCY ZHAO. She broke down in tears as she described her mother’s support, emphasized by a revelation the older woman had made earlier in the day, "Gay people, they're so successful!" Successful indeed. As we filed out of the hall, I knew I’d be attending next year's conference.
The Globe and Mail: Trouble fermenting for future of brewers "People who sort of traded down during the recession or stopped consuming or reduced their consumption - they are still very cautious as to how they spend," said KENRICK JORDAN, senior economist with BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.
University of Toronto Alumni Website: Alumni Story: Paul Nagpal PAUL NAGPAL (MBA 2006 Rotman) became involved with DiverseCity based on a desire to make sure that the really big issues facing Toronto are not given up on or forgotten.
National Post: Peter Kuitenbrouwer: TEDx draws thinkers, dreamers Closer to home, BRANDON HAY, who immigrated here from Jamaica in his youth, reveals to the crowd that his father, Brian Hay, was murdered in 2004, in Jamaica. Before his death, he had not been around to raise his son. Mr. Hay, now a father of three, in 2007 founded the Black Daddy Club in Malvern, as a support group for fathers who lack male role models. Mr. Merkley says he hopes that idea spreads through the Web to inspire such support groups in other cities.
The Globe and Mail: NDP hopeful says he ‘looks forward’ to education minister post In response to a question on grade school education, NEETHAN SHAN replied: “I look forward to being the education minister in an upcoming NDP government,” before pledging to revisit the funding formula for schools and incorporate curriculum that teaches the history and viewpoints of minority groups.
BlogTO: Inside Out project hits Toronto streets for Manifesto 2011 "Public art is a vital form of communication and a critical part of the city's vibrancy. With pending cuts to public funding for the arts in Toronto we needed to send a loud message to the decision makers that art makes people feel good and brings global attention to our city," says CHE KOTHARI, Manifesto Executive Director, of the initiative. "This is the largest group action of the Inside Out Project in the world to date."
Excalibur Publications: York prof finds poetry at Rogers Cup PRISCILA UPPAL recently became the first poet-in-residence for the Rogers Cup tennis tournament.
YorkRegion Article: Social service network gets $75K Trillium grant The $75,000 granted the social service network, for which Dr. NAILA BUTT serves as executive director, will complete renovations and repairs to the network’s community services hub in Markham. “The funds mean a lot,” she said. “It’s what the community hoped for and it moves us toward our long-term vision for a health centre here neighbourhood.”
Randy Starkman's Olympics blog A poem written by the kids at the Jumpstart AIM Sport for Community Camp with the help of poet PRISCILA UPPA .
Global Toronto: 'Our Diana:' Hundreds line up at Toronto to pay respects to Jack Layton Dozens of people, many ringing bells or honking the horns on their bicycles, were on hand as the hearse arrived back in the adoptive city that gave life to his long political career. For some, like SAMUEL GETACHEW, it simply didn't matter that Layton led a party they did not support. "I wanted to come and pay tribute to a wonderful Canadian that I never got a chance to vote for but whom I respected and admired his passion," said Getachew, who once met Layton in 2005. For some, like Samuel Getachew, it simply didn't matter that Layton led a party they did not support. "I wanted to come and pay tribute to a wonderful Canadian that I never got a chance to vote for but whom I respected and admired his passion," said Getachew, who once met Layton in 2005.
CBC News: Ontario PCs unveil multi-language platform KAREN SUN runs the Chinese Canadian National Council's Toronto chapter. She said providing the platform in a variety of languages will likely appeal to “a good chunk of the community that are still stalwart Trudeau Liberals."
Sustainable Business Forum: 12 Ways Consumers Turn Green Intentions Into Green Actions Written by DEREK WONG.
Financial Post: Greece’s best option: Quit the euro Written by TARIQ FANCY, a principal in debt investing at the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board in Toronto.
Urbanology Magazine: Revered spoken word artist Dwayne Morgan brings consistency to latest book and album “If anyone is a fan of mine, what they’ll find is a continuation of what they’ve come to expect from me. I am not a big fan of going in a total opposite direction of what people expect. I think it’s really important to stay consistent,” says DWAYNE MORGAN. “I think it’s just necessary people see a continuation and growth in what I do and what I write.”
Toronto Spoke: Desmond Cole - YouTube City Idol Winner DESMOND COLE and his partner Roy give their deputation to the July 28, 2011 meeting of the City of Toronto's Executive Committee.
InsideToronto: Parkdale library offers more than books KALSANG DOMLA currently works at PCIC. She said that between all of the services offered at the library by PCIC and the library settlement program, a new immigrant can pretty well access all of the information they may need. "People can get settlement services and find out about language programs," she said. "Immigrants need to fill out a lot of forms and we have all the forms."
Canoe.ca: Refugee groups not impressed with plan FRANCISCO RICO-MARTINEZ, of the FCJ Refugee Centre in Toronto, said the law will require mechanisms to handle complaints from claimants. "The program is good but there is little attraction for people to leave," Rico-Martinez said. "There is nothing here to motivate people to change their mind to go back home." He said the program will only affect those who arrive in Canada after next June.
CNW Group: MDA to partner in advanced technology solution for biopsy surgery MDA to partner in advanced technology solution for biopsy surgery, featuring MEHRAN ANVARI.
YorkRegion.com: Charities get creative Social Services Network in Markham is a non-profit organization delivering programs and services to the South Asian community in York Region. In a few short years, it has grown to six full-time staff, 10 part time, more than 40 volunteers and a $500,000 annual budget. One of the keys to its sustainability has been its ability to create strong partnerships, executive director Dr. NAILA BUTT said.
YorkRegion.com: Leaders tout need for health centre Community Leaders from Markham and Richmond Hill gathered to pledge their full support for a new Community Health Centre (CHC) in the area. “I’m ecstatic,” said Dr. NAILA BUTT, executive director of the Social Services Network. ”Seeing so many communities, all the representatives from all faiths, from all cultures, all the politicians in the same room talking about the same issue.”
The Globe and Mail: Menace, surprise and exquisite choreography Ever since the late, lamented fFIDA (fringe Festival of Independent Dance) exited the scene, Toronto dance aficionados have been without their August fix. Veteran dance artist YVONNE NG is trying to correct that missing link. Her mini-festival called dance: made in Canada, fait au Canada, featured three main-stage series with seven pieces selected by different curators, all choreographers themselves, including Ng, as well as Peggy Baker and James Kudelka. There was also a late-night series featuring five works chosen by lottery.