Why Should I Care?

Limitations of Freedom of Speech

Post Date March 09, 2015

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Category Civic Engagement, Government, Thoughts and Opinions

On Wednesday March, 4 WSIC Uptown held their first event at their new location: the Rose and Crown at Yonge and Eglinton. There was a huge turnout and the audience was clearly excited to discuss the limitations on free speech, the challenges of protecting free speech and some of the free speech-related conflicts happening in the world today.

Kathy English, the Public Editor for the Toronto Star, kicked off the discussion. Kathy began by explaining her complex responsibilities: it is her job to act as a …

Media Responsibility in a Democracy

Post Date February 24, 2015

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Category Civic Engagement, Government

On Tuesday, February 17th, the topic of conversation for WSIC audience members was Politics and Media Responsibility – hosted in our new venue, the Windup Bird Café. The venue was packed and WSIC attendees were treated to an exciting debate on the issue, all while enjoying delicious food and ambience.

Suzanna Kelley, Editor in Chief of Ontario News Watch, opened up the discussion by contextualizing political journalism as an important cog in the democratic political process; journalists serve the public, as opposed to any political party. …

Canada’s Role on the World Stage

Post Date February 24, 2015

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Category Economy, Environment, Government

Canada’s role on the world stage was the topic of discussion on January 26 at The Pilot Tavern. We heard from Dr. Alan Chapnick, Associate Professor at the Canadian Forces College, and Paul Kirkconnell, Managing Direct at The Kirchner Group as they covered a broad set of topics on the issue of the evening.

Both Dr. Chapnick and Mr. Kirkconnell delivered succinct summaries of their views. Alan summarized his thoughts saying that on a macro level there has been no major change in Canada’s foreign policies, though …

Canada as an Arctic Nation

Post Date December 14, 2014

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Category Environment, Foreign Affairs, Government, Rural Communities, Science

On November 17th, WSIC hosted our final event for the 2014 calendar year. Our guest speaker for the evening was Professor Franklyn Griffiths, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, who led an engaging discussion on the topic of Canada’s Future as an Artic Nation.

With the Harper government emphasizing Canada’s sovereignty over areas in the Artic, the question we need to ask is what rights we have as a country over this region, and what impact the environment plays in enforcing these rights in the …

Giving MPs more freedom

Post Date September 15, 2014

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Category Civic Engagement, Government

On Monday September 8, WSIC hosted a full house at the Duke of York on the topic of giving MPs more freedom. Our two guest discussion leaders were Michael MacMillan (co-author with Alison Loat of “Tragedy in the Commons”) and Current MP for Wellington-Halton Hills Michael Chong. Michael Chong is currently explaining and promoting his private members bill (the Reform Act).

Michael MacMillan gave us a short description of his Toronto based charity Samara. It is one of the few places doing research into …

Removing Barriers for “At-Risk” Youth

Post Date August 30, 2014

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Category Cities, Civic Engagement, Government

Too often our municipal leaders overlook or ignore the disadvantaged youth of Ontario, resulting in missed opportunities for these youngsters to forge strong connections to educational and employment opportunities. On Monday, August 18th, WSIC was fortunate to host three guest speakers who were both devoted to fixing these oversights and happy to discuss municipal policies for “at-risk youth” with our WSIC audience. They were: Steven Ambrose, the founder of the Canadian Basketball Academy and Bruiser’s Foundation, Andray Domise, a community organizer and currently running for councillor in Ward …

Public needs clear criteria for senate eligibility

Post Date May 29, 2014

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Category Civic Engagement, Government

There has been a lot of recent talk on possible changes to the upper house with the outbreak of the senate expense scandal. Almost since its creation over a century ago, politicians have been trying in turn to reform or eliminate it. To date, little about it has changed. WSIC engaged in a discussion on May 26th with two eminent speakers on the topic of senate reform. Noted constitutional scholar Professor Peter Russell, and currently sitting senator the Honourable Art Eggleton lead the discussion.

Dr. Russell …

Know where the Environmental Puck is headed

Post Date May 02, 2014

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Category Civic Engagement, Economy, Environment, Government

This past Monday, April 28th, our WSIC audience benefitted from Gord Miller, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, and Debbie de Lange, Business Strategy Advisor and professor at Ryerson University provide an outlook on Ontario’s Green Economy, why it’s important, and where it is headed.

Mr. Milller began the evening by addressing the key dominant environmental factors we should be aware of today, and which will affect us going forwards:

(i) Burning of fossil fuels and climate change. Weather events in Toronto have become more severe recently and will …

Medical professionals must be involved in the Assisted Suicide debate

Post Date February 28, 2014

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Category Civic Engagement, Government, Healthcare

On Monday, February 24th, a large crowd turned up to hear Dr Kerry Bowman and Dr Gary Rodin discuss the controversial issue of assisted suicide in Canada. They shared their background and experiences in dealing with palliative care patients, as well as general thoughts on the decriminalization of helping patients die. Should we have a right to die at the time of our own choosing? And if so, are we capable of enacting legislation with the necessary framework and regulatory oversight to protect …

Communities need to be part of Infrastructure Planning

Post Date November 26, 2013

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Category Cities, Civic Engagement, Government, Municipalities

On Monday, 18 November, WSIC discussed the challenges of infrastructure resiliency in Canada in light of our changing climate. Heavy flooding in Toronto this past July and the recent devastating effects of Hurricane Haiyan in the Philippines have shown Canadians that serious consequences could occur us if we don’t start planning now for the future extreme weather events. Leading our discussion on this matter was Chris Fonseca, city councillor of Mississauga and representing Ward 3, and Abe Khademi, a water resources engineer and …

Limitations of Freedom of Speech

Media Responsibility in a Democracy

Canada’s Role on the World Stage

Canada as an Arctic Nation

Giving MPs more freedom

Removing Barriers for “At-Risk” Youth

Public needs clear criteria for senate eligibility

Know where the Environmental Puck is headed

Medical professionals must be involved in the Assisted Suicide debate

Communities need to be part of Infrastructure Planning

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