This video presents an example of  “An Ontario Adventure This Family Day”:

This is an update to my previous blogs:

• You’re Invited: Films of Inuit Stories Jan.25-26 + Mediatheque’s Family Day Fun Feb.18-20

• You’re Invited to HarbourKIDS: SK8 Winter Festival February 19-20, 2012

Family Day is on February 20 this year, whereon exciting exhibitions, fun festivals and seasonal sports are taking place throughout Ontario, Canada.

Family Day is currently recognized as a holiday in two other provinces – Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Please add the following events to your itinerary of Family Day fun for February 18-20, 2012:

You're Invited: More Family Day Fun February 18-20, 2012

At the NFB Mediatheque in Toronto, Ontario: FREE

• FAMILY DAY WEEKEND: FAMILY STAY-CATION.

• Please click here for more details and a schedule of Family Day events.

At Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Ontario: FREE

• the FREE HarbourKIDS: SK8 Winter Festival is a great opportunity for you to “explore all forms of skating and winter culture from a child’s perspective!

• From beatboxing and urban art to skating and hot chocolate to music and movies, there’s something for kids of all ages to enjoy at HarbourKIDS: SK8 presented by RBC Play Hockey.”

• Please click here for the updated and full listing of HarbourKIDS: SK8 events!

At The Walter Carsen Centre for The National Ballet of Canada, Toronto, Ontario: FREE

• Celebrate Family Day by exploring movement together with some of our artists followed by an interactive performance by The National Ballet of Canada’s Apprentices.

• Please click here for a listing of FREE Family Day events.

At the Winterlude, Ottawa, Ontario:

• FREE Shuttle Bus
  • Take the OLG Sno-Bus to travel between Winterlude sites.
  • This free service is available every Saturday and Sunday during Winterlude: February 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19.
  • Please click here for more info about OLG Sno-Bus’ schedule and service.

• The Winterlude festivities are focused in three main locations:

• The Rogers Crystal Garden, in Confederation Park, is home to amazing ice sculptures.
• The Snowflake Kingdom, in Jacques-Cartier Park, is a kid’s paradise with snow slides and no shortage of outdoor fun.
• The Rideau Canal Skateway, which winds its way through downtown Ottawa, is the world’s largest skating rink.

• Please click here for a listing of some FREE events of Arts and Culture, which can be identified by the absence of both the $ sign and the label “Paid event” on the left-hand side of each listed Winterlude activity.
  • 40 Eco Art photos form an exhibit at Dows Gallery on the Rideau Canal Skateway.

• Canadian Forces Winter Obstacle Course.

• 32nd Annual Accora Village Bed Race.

• Please click here for a listing of some FREE events of All Outdoor Sports and Recreation, which can be identified by the absence of both the $ sign and the label “Paid event” on the left-hand side of each listed Winterlude activity.

At Blue Mountain Village, Collingwood, Ontario: FREE

• Celebrate the annual Family Day at Ontario’s favourite ski Village with FREE activities for 3 days.

• Free-flying Birds of Prey shows by the Canadian Raptor Conservancy, Columbia Guided Snowshoeing, Horse & Carriage Rides, Face Painting, Fire Dance Show and FIREWORKS!

• Please click here for a schedule of FREE events February 18-20.

• For Village events information, contact Heather Harding Tel: 705-445-0231 x6205; info@bluemountainvillage.ca .

 Happy Family Day!

You may also like:

• Harbourfront Centre Large-Scale Photographic Exhibition

• 2012 Green Toronto Awards Nominations: Now Open Until Feb. 6 at 11:59 P.M.

• You’re Invited: More Celebratory Events for Black History Month February 2012

• You’re Invited: Celebratory Events of Canadian Black History Month February 2012

• Everyday Heroes Festival 2012: Canadian Youth’s One-Minute Eco-Films Can Win Great Prizes

• Superior Adventure Contest Opens to Legal Residents of Canada and Most of U.S.

• You’re Invited: Visual Arts Winter Exhibitions 2012 Opening Reception Jan. 27

• You’re Invited: Films of Inuit Stories Jan.25-26 + Mediatheque’s Family Day Fun Feb.18-20

• You’re Invited to HarbourKIDS: SK8 Winter Festival February 19-20, 2012

This is an update to my previous blogs:

• Please Urge Your MP to Attend National Conversation on Canadian Poverty in Ottawa Feb.14, 2012 (New Date)

• Update From DIGNITY FOR ALL: Dec. 5, 2011 Event in Ottawa Postponed

• Please Urge Your MP to Attend “What’s Next: How Do We Address Poverty in Canada?” Dec. 5, 2011.

Please note that for the national conversation“What’s Next: How do we Address Poverty in Canada?” on February 14, 2012, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. :

• its location has changed to Government Conference Centre, 2 Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

• the panelists will include:
  
  • Jean Crowder, NDP Human Resources Critic
  • Rodger Cuzner, Liberal Human Resources Critic
  • Jean-François Fortin, Bloc Québécois Human Resources Critic
  • Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party
  • Conservative MP (to be confirmed)
  • Leilani Farha, Dignity for All campaign

Here is the complete update from the the Dignity for All campaign team:

“Only two weeks left to encourage your MP to attend national conversation on poverty/Deux semaines pour encourager votre député a assister à une conversation nationale sur la pauvreté

—————–la version française suivra—————-

Dear friends for a poverty-free Canada,

“What’s Next: How do we Address Poverty in Canada?“, is less than two weeks away. The event, happening February 14th in Ottawa, will feature a panel discussion and Q&A with MPs, people with lived experience of poverty, advocacy groups and concerned citizens to identify how we can work together to build on the recommendations of several recent government reports and the House’s unanimous resolutions in 1989 and 2009 to address poverty.

Panelists will include:

• Jean Crowder, NDP Human Resources Critic
• Rodger Cuzner, Liberal Human Resources Critic
• Jean-François Fortin, Bloc Québécois Human Resources Critic
• Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party
• Conservative MP (to be confirmed)
• Leilani Farha, Dignity for All campaign

For real progress to be made against poverty, we need all voices at the table regardless of party affiliation. You can help by encouraging your MP to attend! If you haven’t already, please contact your MP and urge them to join the conversation (an invitation with all the details is attached below in both French and English)

If you’re in the Ottawa area, we hope you’ll join us! Due to Parliament Hill security requirements, please RSVP by February 8 to Kizzy Paris at Canada Without Poverty: kizzy@cwp-csp.ca, or 613-789-0096.

Thanks for your continued support. Together, we can end poverty in Canada!

-the Dignity for All campaign team

Chers amis pour un Canada sans pauvreté,

“Et la suite? Comment combattre la pauvreté au Canada“, le mardi 14 février à Ottawa, c’est à moins de deux semaines au loin. Dans le but de renouveler la conversation nationale sur les problèmes de la pauvreté, l’évenement mettra en vedette un groupe de discussion pour échanger des idées et poser les questions avec membres du Parlement, personnes ayant une experience vécue de la pauvreté, et les groupes de défense et de la politique sociale.

Les panélistes comprendront:

• Jean Crowder, NPD, critique des ressources humaines
• Rodger Cuzner, liberal, critique des ressources humaines
• Jean-François Fortin, Bloc Québécois, critique des ressources humaines
• Elizabeth May, Chef du Parti Vert
• Membre conservateur du Parlement (à confirmer)
• Leilani Farha, Dignité pour touTEs

Pour faire un progrés reel contre la pauvreté, nous besoin de toutes les voix actifs indépendamment de l’appartenance politique. Vous pouvez contribuer en encourageant vos membres du Parlement à venir! Si vous n’avez pas déjà, s’il vous plaît, contacter votre membre du Parlement et les conseiller vivement à participer à la conversation (une invitation avec tous les details est attaché ci-dessous en français et en anglais).

Si vous êtes dans la region d’Ottawa, nous espérons que vous irez nous joindre! En raison des exigences de sécurité du Parlement, SVP répondre le 8 février au plus tard à Kizzy Paris de Canada sans pauvreté : kizzy@cwp-csp.ca, ou 613-789-0096.

Merci pour votre soutien continu. Ensemble, nous pouvons éliminer la pauvreté au Canada!

-l’équipe de la Dignité pour touTEs

———————————————————————————————
** Please note new location**

Dignity for All: the campaign for a poverty-free Canada invites you to join a national conversation:

What’s next: How do we Address Poverty in Canada?

Amidst growing public concern about inequality, how can we work together to address this issue for those who feel its effects most, the poorest 10% of Canadians? The evidence and research are in. What sort of meaningful action is needed now at the federal level?

On Tuesday, February 14th from 5:30 – 7 p.m., the Dignity for All campaign for a poverty-free Canada is hosting “What’s next: How do we Address Poverty in Canada?” at the Government Conference Centre, 2 Rideau Street, Ottawa. Please join us for a lively and engaging conversation on where we go from here on the poverty front in light of the recent federal government reports on the issue: the Senate’s In from the Margins report (2009), the House Committee’s Federal Poverty Reduction Plan (2010), and the National Council of Welfare’s The Dollars and Sense of Solving Poverty (2011). Featuring a panel of MPs, a person with lived experience of poverty, and a representative from Dignity for All, there will be opportunities to hear perspectives, share ideas, and ask questions about what next steps are needed to address poverty in Canada.

An award of appreciation will be presented to the members of last parliament’s Human Resources committee in recognition of the non-partisan approach adopted in the development of the Federal Poverty Reduction Plan report.

Please RSVP by February 8, 2012 to Kizzy Paris at Canada Without Poverty: kizzy@cwp-csp.ca, or 613-789-0096. We hope you are able to attend!

** Notez svp la nouvelle localisation**

Dignité pour touTEs: la campagne pour un Canada sans pauvreté vous invite à une conversation pancanadienne :

Et la suite? Comment combattre la pauvreté au Canada

Alors que le public s’inquiète de plus en plus des inégalités sociales, comment travailler ensemble à régler cette question pour ceux qui en souffrent le plus, les 10% les plus pauvres du Canada? Les preuves et la recherche sont là. Que faut-il faire maintenant au niveau fédéral?

Le mardi 14 février de 17h30 à 19h00, la campagne Dignité pour touTEs pour un Canada sans pauvreté organise une rencontre sur le thème : « Et la suite? Comment combattre la pauvreté au Canada » à Centre des conférences du gouvernement, 2 rue Rideau, Ottawa. Venez participer à une conversation enrichissante et animée sur nos options pour combattre la pauvreté, suite aux récents rapports du gouvernement fédéral sur la question : le rapport du Sénat (2009) Pauvreté, logement, itinérance, celui, du Comité de la Chambre (2010) Plan fédéral de réduction de la pauvreté, et celui du Conseil national du bien-être social (2011) Le sens des sous pour résoudre la pauvreté. Une table ronde réunira un député de chacun des partis, une personne ayant vécu la pauvreté et un représentant de Dignité pour touTEs. Vous pourrez connaître divers points de vue, échanger des idées et poser les questions pertinentes quant aux prochaines étapes pour combattre la pauvreté au Canada.

Une recompense d’appréciation sera offert aux membres de la dernière gestion du comité des ressources humaines du Parliament, en reconnaissance d’approche non partisane adoptée dans le développement du rapport du Plan fédéral de réduction de la pauvreté.

SVP répondre le 8 février au plus tard à Kizzy Paris de Canada sans pauvreté : kizzy@cwp-csp.ca, ou 613-789-0096. Nous espérons vous y voir.”

——————————

You may also want to know:

• Please Ask Your MP to Support the Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada (Bill C-233)

• Please Urge the Government to Commit to a Federal Action Plan to Reduce Poverty in Canada
  

• “Billions for Business, Pennies for the Poor”: Please Petition Premier McGuinty to Give a $100 Increase to Canadians’ OW and ODSP

• 2012! Happy New Year!

• Poverty Action for Change Coalition Conveys Gratitude to Voters: “One paycheck away” Video – Winner

• Congrats to PACC Producer of “One paycheck away” Video: Winner of $2000!

• Temporary Income Assistance for the Unemployed: Canada’s Salving Solution

This is an update to my previous blog You’re Invited: Celebratory Events of Canadian Black History Month February 2012.

Please add the following events to your itinerary of celebratory events of Canadian Black History Month in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:

“Dr. Jay and the Kuumba Festival combined the pulsating rhythm of the Caribbean with a national pastime of the Great White North. This free family event can be summed up in three words – Soca On Ice”, as shown in this video:

Save Canada’s Jasper National Park: The Pressure is Working!

This is an update to my previous blogs:

• Less Then 24 Hours Left to Save Canada’s Jasper National Park!
• Please Save Canada’s Jasper National Park Now!

Good news from the Avaaz team:

Update: 31 January 2012
The pressure is working! Parks Canada just announced they are delaying their decision — giving us more time to build our outcry against this attack on our public parks.

Thank you very much everyone for helping and caring to keep Canada’s Jasper National Park beautiful and magnificent for us and future generations to freely enjoy!

Jasper National Park is a national treasure of Canada, as shown in this video:

You may also want to know:

• Canada Just Cancelled its $400-Million ecoENERGY Retrofit Program

• Please Petition Europe to Oppose ACTA – a Global Treaty for Corporations to Censor the Internet

• You’re Invited to Watch FRESH Online Jan. 26 – Feb. 1, 2012!

• 2012! Happy New Year!

• 2012 Green Toronto Awards Nominations: Now Open Until Feb. 6 at 11:59 P.M.

• Everyday Heroes Festival 2012: Canadian Youth’s One-Minute Eco-Films Can Win Great Prizes

• Superior Adventure Contest Opens to Legal Residents of Canada and Most of U.S.

This year, Canada’s theme for Black History Month is the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812 and the contributions of black soldiers in the fight for Canada.

Here is a 60-second video promoting key historical figures and moments from the Canadian black community:

Did you know that in February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver (b November 16, 1938), the first Black man appointed to the Canadian Senate, introduced a motion to have the Senate officially recognize February as Black History Month?

February is Black History Month!

You're Invited: Celebratory Events of Canadian Black History Month February 2012

Some celebratory events of Black History Month include:

• Join Ontario Black History Society in launching the first Black International Film Festival (BIFF) in Canada!

• Black International Film Festival (BIFF) is created to commemorate the 15th National Anniversary of February as Black History Month in Canada and the UN International Year for People of African Descent.
• Black International Film Festival will provide award winning films from the African Diaspora, classic films and films that seek to raise discussion or raise awareness.
• Please click here for a listing of confirmed screenings – others may be added. (Certain films are FREE.) For more information, contact the Ontario Black History Society at 416-867-9420 or visit www.blackhistorysociety.ca

• Kuumba 2012 presented by TD February 3– 5, 2012

  • at Harbourfront Centre
  • “for an exploration of African roots through a 21st-century perspective
  • this year’s festival also highlights the incredible role women have played in shaping the history of black culture and pushing it to new frontiers
  • with artist showcases, roundtable discussions, storytelling, films, fashion, music, dance and children’s programmes, Kuumba presented by TD has something for everyone.”
  • please click here for info about the FREE events.
  • also, please note that most events are free except for:
    • The Market: vendors will be selling goods on-site at The Market
    • “Honey Jam: Then & Now”; Honey Jam alumni perform tribute songs in a reunion concert with a photo exhibit showcasing 16 years of Honey Jam

Furthermore, for an itinerary and schedule of other celebratory events including FREE opening ceremonies in Canada for Black History Month 2012, please click here.

For youth, please click here to explore Black History online via the interactive Canadian Black History Virtual Museum and Treasure Hunt.

Happy Black History Month!

You may also like:

• Harbourfront Centre Large-Scale Photographic Exhibition

• You’re Invited to Watch FRESH Online Jan. 26 – Feb. 1, 2012!

• 2012 Green Toronto Awards Nominations: Now Open Until Feb. 6 at 11:59 P.M.

• Everyday Heroes Festival 2012: Canadian Youth’s One-Minute Eco-Films Can Win Great Prizes

• Superior Adventure Contest Opens to Legal Residents of Canada and Most of U.S.

• You’re Invited: Visual Arts Winter Exhibitions 2012 Opening Reception Jan. 27

• You’re Invited: Chinese Cultural Dance + DanceWeekend 2012 + Dance Photography Exhibit

• You’re Invited: Films of Inuit Stories Jan.25-26 + Mediatheque’s Family Day Fun Feb.18-20

• You’re Invited to HarbourKIDS: SK8 Winter Festival February 19-20, 2012

Canada Just Cancelled its $400-Million ecoENERGY Retrofit Program

This is an update to my previous blog ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes Grants For Homeowners Are Back!

Today the following disappointing news is provided by the Toronto Star:

• Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver quietly announced Sunday that the Tories will no longer accept new registrants to the ecoENERGY Retrofit program. (The government was expected to close registration March 31.)

• The Conservative government has cancelled its $400-million ecoENERGY Retrofit program ahead of schedule.

• However, homeowners currently registered can receive post-retrofit evaluations and apply for grants until June 30, 2012; the retrofit renovations must be completed by March 31.

Please click here to read the Toronto Star’s story “Federal government pulls plug on ecoENERGY Retrofit program.”

You may also want to know:

• Less Then 24 Hours Left to Save Canada’s Jasper National Park!

• Please Petition Europe to Oppose ACTA – a Global Treaty for Corporations to Censor the Internet

• You’re Invited to Watch FRESH Online Jan. 26 – Feb. 1, 2012!

• 2012 Green Toronto Awards Nominations: Now Open Until Feb. 6 at 11:59 P.M.

• Everyday Heroes Festival 2012: Canadian Youth’s One-Minute Eco-Films Can Win Great Prizes

• Superior Adventure Contest Opens to Legal Residents of Canada and Most of U.S.

• 2012! Happy New Year!

• Harbourfront Centre Large-Scale Photographic Exhibition

• You’re Invited: Visual Arts Winter Exhibitions 2012 Opening Reception Jan. 27

• You’re Invited: Chinese Cultural Dance + DanceWeekend 2012 + Dance Photography Exhibit

• You’re Invited: Films of Inuit Stories Jan.25-26 + Mediatheque’s Family Day Fun Feb.18-20

• You’re Invited to HarbourKIDS: SK8 Winter Festival February 19-20, 2012

Less Then 24 Hours Left to Save Canada’s Jasper National Park!

This is an update to my previous blog Please Save Canada’s Jasper National Park Now!

Less then 24 hours left to save Canada’s Jasper National Park!

The following updated alert from the Avaaz team urges us to to call Jasper National Park Superintendent Greg Fenton and stop him from selling out our public park, then forward this alert to everyone.

“In hours, the Harper Government could privatise a section of Jasper National Park and let an American-owned company blast a 300m metal walkway into our World Heritage mountains — but Jasper’s Superintendent Greg Fenton has the power to stop them.“

Call to save our park today!

Then, please click here to leave your message on the right-hand side of the Avaaz page “24 hours to Save Jasper National Park.”

Jasper Superintendent Greg Fenton

• Phone: (780) 852-6171
• Email Greg Fenton here (opens new tab)

Environment Minister Peter Kent

• Ministry Phone: (819) 997 1441
• Constituency Office Phone (905) 886 9911
• Click here to post to Minister Kent’s Facebook page
• Click here to email Minister Kent (opens new tab)

Sample Facebook message: “Minister Kent, I call on you to put Canadians ahead of US-owned companies and immediately deny Brewster’s proposal to privatize part of Jasper National Park.”

Talking points:

• “I call on you to save Jasper National park by denying Brewster’s application to build a 300m lookout on the side of a mountain.

• Over 170,000 Canadians object to Brewster’s planned privatization whereby Canadians would be charged a fee to use a portion of Jasper Park.

• We want to protect all of our parks and are concerned that privatizing even a portion of Jasper could lead to the further commercialization of our public and natural park land.

• For these reasons we call on you to put Canadians ahead of US-owned companies and immediately deny this privatization.”

“Sources:

Jasperite, Greg Fenton, returns home to become superintendent of Jasper National Park (Parks Canada)

National Parks – and the views – belong to Canadians (Calgary Herald)

Feedback Deadline Looms, Decision Expected Next Month (The Fitzhugh)

Record of Lobbying (Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada)

National Parks should be Wildlife Sanctuaries, not Cash Cows (Green Party of Canada) ”

Please Tell Your Friends!