In June, we welcome Pride season in Canada, and around the world. This is a time to celebrate the resilience, spirit and presence of the LGBTQ2 people in communities like Newmarket-Aurora, and across the country. It is also a time to reflect on hard-fought human rights, and the work that remains to be done. This is even more important now as so many communities continue to face oppression, violence, …
Continue readingIn response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and the decades long advocacy from families and survivors, the Government of Canada launched an independent national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. This work began in 2015 with a pre-inquiry across the country, and officially launched the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and …
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My heartfelt sympathies go to the families of the 215 children, the families of those who never made it home, and to survivors of residential schools.
A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support to former residential school students and those affected. Emotional and crisis referral services can be accessed 24/7 by calling 1-866-925-4419.
Continue readingI joined colleagues from all parties in signing a letter to call our government to endorse the proposed TRIPS waiver and support global vaccine equity. The TRIPS waiver suspends intellectual property on vaccines, and is a step forward in prioritizing public health over profit, so we can all get through this pandemic.
Continue readingThe Newmarket-Aurora Youth Council (NAYC) was able to meet with MP Tony Van Bynen for a pre-budget consultation where we were able to collectively voice our concerns through discussions and surveys.
We were super excited to see so many of our recommendations regarding child-care, student debt and skills development, housing, equality, and the environment reflected in the 2021 budget.
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In 2018, local community members from Newmarket came together to connect, and to discuss how to build a more diverse and connected Newmarket. Based on their ideas and discussions, the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) was developed. NACCA’s vision is to build a strong and connected community where Black Canadians of all ages are connected to their past while …
Continue readingThe Newmarket-Aurora Youth Council (NAYC) has divided into working groups to better expand our understanding of key policy issues affecting youth across Canada. The Environment and Climate Change working group is a small but mighty team and we are super excited to announce our major project this year will be to design and implement a Newmarket-Aurora Youth Council Green Award. …
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