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read about the issues

policy papers & deputations | media coverage | media releases

Throughout its more than 130 year history, YWCA Toronto has taken a public stand on the most pressing issues affecting the lives of women and girls in Toronto.

In this section of the website you will find a selection of policy papers and deputations that we present to policy makers, politicians and members of community groups to outline the ways in which their actions or inactions have a differential impact on the women and girls who come to YWCA at turning points in their lives.

see the archives: 2008 | 2007 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 1999
2010 | 2009
2010		july 5 open letter | G20 Summit in Toronto: An open letter to Prime Minister Harper
YWCA Toronto is concerned that before and during the G20 Summit in Toronto the mass arrests and many of the security measures taken violated the rights associated with peaceful protest and due process, including the rights to freedom of expression and assembly and the right to be protected from arbitrary arrest.
2010		april policy paper | YWCA Toronto Submission to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on Bill C-391, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (repeal of long-gun registry)
YWCA Toronto, concerned about public safety, is strongly opposed to Bill C-391, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (repeal of long-gun registry). YWCA Toronto is urging Committee members to consider the evidence and exercise the necessary leadership to protect public safety. In short, the gun registry, which is accessed 11,000 times a day by law enforcement officers, has saved lives and made Canada safer. While some argue that the registry is too onerous and criminalizes gun owners, YWCA Toronto insists such baseless arguments must be countered by concerned Canadians and elected officials.
2010		march policy paper | YWCA Toronto Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy regarding Bill 242: Full Day Learning Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010
As an organization committed to improving the lives of women and girls and as a childcare provider, YWCA Toronto is supportive of the vision of full day learning articulated in Dr. Pascal’s report “With Our Best Future In Mind.” We believe the vision articulated in the Pascal report will increase women’s equality and better support the development of children and the lives of families with working parents. We are concerned that the recommendations made in the Pascal report be carefully and fully implemented as quickly as possible. Currently, information regarding the implementation of fullday learning is minimal. Parents, schools and childcare providers are unable to plan without better and more complete information. Further, there are significant omissions in Bill 242 that need to be addressed.
2010		january policy paper | YWCA Toronto Pre-budget submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
As an organization whose work is largely focused on poverty reduction, broadly defined, we are eager to point out that it has been well documented that policies and programs that reduce poverty not only result in stronger, healthier individuals and communities, they also have the potential to contribute to strengthening Ontario’s economy. YWCA Toronto recommends that poverty reduction remain a priority in the 2010 budget.
2009		december policy paper | YWCA Toronto Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Consultation
In this submission, YWCA Toronto will focus our recommendations on what constitutes “suitable” housing while also addressing other questions posed in the Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Consultation paper.
2009		may policy paper | YWCA Toronto Bill 133
Bill 133 criminalizes the breech of restraining orders. YWCA was consulted during the drafting and passing of this important bill that increases women’s safety against violence by their partners. Transcripts from the Committee Hearings can be found at: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/committee-proceedings/committee_transcripts_current.do?ParlCommID=8875&locale=en Bill 133 2009 - An Act to amend various Acts in relation to certain family law matters and to repeal the Domestic Violence Protection Act, 2000 has passed Third Reading yesterday. Bill goes into effect upon Royal Assent.
see the archives: 2008 | 2007 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 1999
2010 | 2009
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