policy papers & deputations

read about the issues

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

2008

january 23
deputation | YWCA Toronto's declaration in response to City of Toronto's user-fee based 'improving access to recreation: everybody gets to play' proposal.

..."It is time for us face this reality, and give girls access to girl-only programs that assist them in developing confidence, skills and a sense of safety."

see City Hall's January 23 meeting agenda here

2007

january
brief to Ministry of Finance | women's resource funding

2007

january
brief | Senate Commitee on children's human rights

2007

january
letter to House of Commons | Status of Women Canada

2005

nov 18
press release | sexual assault in local high schools

Women’s Advocates Speak Out on Sexual Violence in our High Schools

2005

november
press release | no religious arbitration coalition

No Religious Arbitration Coalition Optimistic About
Government’s Family Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005

2005

september
YWCA Toronto Applauds Premier’s Difficult Leadership Decision (05.09.12)

press release

2005

september
No Religious Arbitration Coalition Congratulates Dalton McGuinty (05.09.12)

press release

2005

september
An open letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty (05.09.10)

The No Religious Arbitration Coalition writes the Premier

2005

february
police chief selection should prioritize violence against women and race relations

YWCA Toronto letter to the Chair of the Police Services Board (05.02.15)

2005

february
YWCA Toronto takes a public position in support of same sex marriage

On February 15, 2005, YWCA Toronto's Board of Directors met and passed the following resolution unanimously:
"The support of same sex marriage". (05.02.16)

2005

february
YWCA Canada 2nd largest provider of childcare pushes for regulated system

YWCA Canada encourages Minister Ken Dryden to uphold his vision of a nationalchild care program that supports the QUAD principles and is accountable to the Canadian public. (05.02.12)

2005

january
YWCA Toronto Welcomes the Auditor General’s
Follow-Up Review of the investigation of Sexual Assaults (press release Jan. 10, 2005)

Fantino took a "a good offense is the best defense" tactic today when he tried to discredit local women’s groups and some journalists in the audience who wanted answers.

> YWCA Toronto responds to Sharia Law

2005

september
YWCA Toronto Applauds Premier’s Difficult Leadership Decision (05.09.12)

press release

2005

september
No Religious Arbitration Coalition Congratulates Dalton McGuinty (05.09.12)

press release

2005

september
An open letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty (05.09.10)

The No Religious Arbitration Coalition writes the Premier

2005

march
response letter from Attorney General Michael Bryant, Minister Responsible for Native Affairs / Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal

'Thank you for your recent thoughtful submission addressed to Mrs. Marion Boyd, regarding the law of arbitration in Ontario and its applicability to family disputes...' (05.03.08)

2005

february 16
press release | YWCA Toronto

YWCA Toronto supports same sex marriage : Bill C-38

2004

december
YWCA Toronto's response to Marion Boyd's report on Sharia Law

YWCA Toronto responds to the Ministry of the Attorney General's 'Dispute Resolution in Family Law: Protecting Choice Promoting Inclusion' report (04.12.24)

2004

december
the state should not give its blessing to Muslim courts

Sharia Law: The Globe & Mail's Margaret Wente reads our position paper and agrees. (04.12.23)

2004

december
YWCA Toronto Takes a Stand on Sharia Law

Sharia Law: in Ontario, some are more equal than others. (04.12.21)

2004

december
women's rights in a secular democracy

YWCA Toronto's position paper on Religious Arbitration.

2004

june
ywca speaks out about sharia law

Should Ontario allow sharia law?
Alia Hogben's plea for Canadians to help Muslim women fight the Arbitration Act is being heard. (04.06.01)

2004

december
letter from Hon. Jean Augustine

Hon. Jean Augustine (Etobicoke—Lakeshore, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, today marks the 15th anniversary of the shocking murders of 14 young women at the École Polytechnique in Montreal. Out of this tragedy we have come to recognize December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women. We have continued to focus on violence in the lives of women but we know that there is much work still to be done, particularly with visible minorities, aboriginals and disadvantaged women.

Recognizing that violence against women is rooted in gender inequality, I want to take this opportunity to mention the admirable work of a few dedicated organizations in my riding which provide services and support to women. I commend the work of LAMP, Stonegate Community Health Centre, Women's Habitat, the Rotary Club of Etobicoke and the YWCA for their tireless efforts. Keep up the great work. We must make a difference in the lives of women.

-- House of Commons Debates, Official Report (Hansard), Monday, December 6, 2004

2004

december
ywca response to provincial housing consultation

YWCA Toronto's letter to the Director of Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing/Minstry of Public Infractructure Renewal (04.12.14)

2004

may
open letter to Stephen Harper

Canada loses over $4 billion dollars annually through the un-/under-employment of internationally trained workers immigrating to Canada. Canadian employers estimate that over 300,000 jobs go unfilled for lack of skilled workers. Canada’s ability to compete effectively in the global marketplace is eroding due to our failure to fully employ skilled immigrant workers while our competitors do. As Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, we urge you to take a public leadership stance on government actions to resolve these contradictions.

2004

april
from: Office of the Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier

I am writing to thank you for participating in our government's recent consultations to develop acomprehensive domestic violence action plan for Ontario... (04.04.28)

2004

april
from: Ministry of Finance Office of the Minister

I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your participation in the Toronto pre-budget discussion... (04.04.01)

2004

january
building strong communities

A call to reinvest in Ontario's nonprofit social services. A network of concerned community service organizations and unions are working together to redress the factors that are undermining the effectiveness of Ontario’s nonprofit social service sector...

see the archives:

2008 | 2007 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 1999

media coverage | media releases