A Major LGBTQ Community Summit: The Countown to World Pride 2014 in Toronto

WHAT's the Summit all about? 
The program will include a Briefing and Presentation on World Pride 2014, to get the word out, and to engage, activate, and harness the richness, creativity, input, and the diversity of our community in planning for World Pride 2014 in Toronto, the world's largest LGBTQ event . 

WHO's coming to the Summit? 
We have invited a wide range of groups, leaders, individuals, members, supporters, friends and participants from a wide range of Greater Toronto's LGBTQ community. We are asking each to send several members and/or representatives to a major Community Summit on Saturday morning, June 8, 2013. 

It's an important event and the invitations represent a very broad range of interests, areas, involvements, backgrounds, and focus. 

WHY are we doing it? 
We want to tap your ideas, energy, and enthusiasm regarding World Pride 2014; 
To show our community's strong, involved, and engaged in making it a great event; 
We want to get the message out regarding the plans, progress, and opportunities to be found with respect to World Pride 2014 in Toronto; 
We want the community to be energized and begin plans to celebrate World Pride 2014; 
We're seeking broad community involvement in World Pride 2014: from the broadest possible range of the LGBTQ community, including associations, groups, organizations, businesses, collectives, assemblies, congregations, gatherings, and leagues.

WHEN and WHERE?

Toronto City Hall, 3rd floor Council Chambers

Registration 9:30 a.m.

Presentation 10:00 a.m.

Networking and Social 11:30 a.m.

Please pass on the details and the invitation to this Summit to the networks, groups, associations, and/or affiliations to which you belong. Please come yourself; please encourage several others to join you; and please reserve a space today (they will go fast) by registering at:www.countdown2wp14to.eventbrite.com 

The Future of Jarvis: Public Town Hall

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam wants to hear from the community about the future of Jarvis Street.  If you are a cyclist, this is your chance to defend our bike lanes! 

When the Public Works Committee decided to rip out the bike lanes, Kristyn was not consulted nor was the public. Now she wants to give citizens a chance to be heard.

This is a free public event, open to everyone:

The Future of Jarvis: Public Town Hall

Tuesday, April 3rd, 6:30pm

Jarvis Collegiate Institute (at Wellesley)

Facebook rsvp:  https://www.facebook.com/events/322820747762732/


If you support the bikelanes, join us at this meeting (and wear your helmet!).

Toronto Cyclists Union

Drivers for Jarvis

Thinking Ahead to 2014: Taking a Critical Look at Local Elections

An evening of exploring options to make municipal elections more relevant, fair and participatory sponsored by Better Ballots, a non partisan group —Fair Vote is a member of this group and is advocating for a proportional system for Canada’s largest city. 
Wayne Smith, Executive Director of Fair Vote Canada will be one of the eight speakers. See below.
Wednesday, November 23 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Oakham House, Ryerson University63 Gould StreetToronto, ON

• Alan Broadbent, Maytree Foundation
• Paul Farrelly, Vote Toronto
• Sarah Lambert, Ranked Ballot Initiative
• William Molls, VoteTO16
• Rob Newman, Better Ballots Campaign
• Wayne Smith Fair Vote Canada
• Kristyn Wong-Tam, Toronto City Councillor
• Leonardo Zuniga, iVoteToronto

For more details:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=231958223534955

Healthy food tops agenda for new councillors

As a new Council prepares for its December start, getting better food
on people’s plates has emerged as a priority for many new and incumbent councillors this
term. Solutions addressing food insecurity, health and sustainability have become widely
discussed as food centres, community gardens and food entrepreneurs continue to sprout
up across Toronto.

“I am excited by the number of councillors interested in healthy food and that it will
finally be getting Council’s attention,” said Darcy Higgins, Executive Director of Food
Forward. “Support for urban agriculture was a highlight of many successful candidates’
election platforms. Food Forward will be advocating to advance solutions,” he said.

Bureaucratic barriers and limited approvals have been the norm for community projects.
The City is working to remedy this through the Toronto Food Strategy, a comprehensive
approach to food policy which was passed unanimously by the Board of Health earlier
this year, which is expected to come to Council for broader support and implementation.

“I am impressed by the work of the Toronto Food Policy Council,” said Kristyn Wong-
Tam, Councillor-elect for Ward 27. “I welcome the opportunity to work with residents
and businesses to address general concerns about improving healthy food affordability
and accessibility in our distinctive neighbourhoods,” she said.

The newly elected Councillor in Ward 32 shares Wong-Tam’s interest.

“I am looking forward to working hard to promote urban agriculture in our great city,”
said Mary-Margaret McMahon. “I plan to work with residents to create more community
food gardens in Ward 32 as our current gardens have long waiting lists. Starting the
East Lynn Farmers' Market with my neighbours has been a wonderful and educational
experience. It is now a dynamic community hub promoting Ontario farmers,” she said.