Bulletin Board 2024-25
CFUW’s Club Action Newsletters
Message from Bonnie Roynon, President
(Posted February 10)
CFUW’s Club Action Newsletters are full of information that will be of interest to many of our club’s members. To receive these newsletters, go to CFUW.org and scroll down until you come to “Stay informed with our Newsletter” and click on Sign Up Today.
CFUW Members Drive Training
Message from Elizabeth Malcolm, CFUW National
(Posted October 3)
Please look around the Members Drive and familiarize yourself with the layout, folders, and materials available. Remember: this is a constantly growing document that we will adding to. If there’s anything you believe should be added or included, please let us know!
Here is the link to the CFUW Members Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tHzN0kVaijjGc18bPaBrNAtbsioo3rkH?usp=sharing
CFUW National Letter Campaign to Stop Violence and Harassment in Politics
Message from Wendy Taylor, CFUW ON Council RD North
Submitted by Nat Brunette, President
(Posted October 28)
Last week, CFUW National wrote letters to the leaders of all federal political parties and the Speaker of the House of Commons encouraging them to take a public stand against violence and harassment in politics. In the letter, CFUW urges the leaders to do their part to ensure political debate is conducted civilly and respectfully, without personal attacks.
To continue this pressure, National has created template letters for clubs and individual members to use. I am sharing this information with you. I encourage you to write to your appropriate representatives and for members to write their local MP and MPP and Municipal Mayor as individuals. And also I encourage your members to share the issue and template letter with their friends-- any person may use these generic template letters.
You can find all the details, with the templates in English and French on the CFUW website www.cfuw.org/2024/10/22/standing-against-violence-and-harassment-in-politics.
I'm also including a link to the file explaining Who Does What re Advocacy - for example only National office can email MPs and the PM.
CFUW National’s Role
Message from Wendy Taylor, CFUW ON Council RD North
Submitted by Nat Brunette, President
(Posted November 5)
As CFUW Ontario Council has had a few inquiries about what our role is and what we do, plus the role National plays, we decided to send out the below information about the what your clubs dues cover.
As many clubs have new members and long time members can always be reminded, I would suggest at some point you take 10 minutes of your meeting time and share the power point presentation with your membership.
I am sure you will find that the more information your club members have about the large organization they belong to the more connected they will be.
Here is one of the documents that Wendy included in her email. What Does 6.25 Buy?
Unfortunately, the slide show, a Power Point presentation, cannot be reproduced on the website, but it can be sent by email. If you would like a copy email Caroline Haist (carlilh43@gmail.com).
Regional Gathering in Orillia October 18
Message from Wendy Taylor, CFUW ON Council RD North
Submitted by Nat Brunette, President
(Posted February 20)
Please see attached a "save the date" for the Regional Gathering in Orillia, October 18th. Seems like a long way off but we would like to give you as much time as we can to encourage your membership to attend. It will be a wonderful day of connecting again as we do not have an in person AGM for either Ontario Council or National. So please share the information with your clubs.
CFUW Orillia has a very informative day planned with some of our art culture tied in.
I also want to remind you or inform you that the Monday Membership is going to be on Monday February 24th at 4:00 pm. The focus of this meeting will be on the National Resolutions. Myself and the Resolutions Co-Chair Margaret Therrien will be discussing the proposed resolutions. Please plan on attending and encourage your members to attend. These are great meetings to engage with other Presidents and members from across Canada. Wonderful networking. You will find their issues are your issues and with the breakout rooms, wonderful conversations happen.
Kind Regards,
Wendy
Regional Gathering in Orillia October 18
Message from Elizabeth Malcolm, CFUW Member Engagement Coordinator
Submitted by Nat Brunette, President
(Posted March 23)
Good afternoon!
As you may have seen in the most recent CFUW Club Action newsletter, the CFUW National Office is exploring ways to support our members in navigating political discussions while maintaining our commitment to non-partisanship.
Given the current political climate between the U.S. and Canada, as well as broader concerns around political communication, we are considering hosting a townhall to provide guidance on making political statements as a non-partisan organization.
We would love to hear your thoughts ! This short survey will help us gauge interest in a townhall and identify key topics of concern. Your feedback will guide us in organizing discussions, speaker series, or other initiatives that best serve our membership.
Complete the form click https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctUWN4xiIuj0g1w2Oa9tPWwh8950vaNwLCacW1ljS9jb4wug/viewform
If you have any questions, please contact Mabinty Toure at adminassistant@cfuw-fcfdu.ca
Have a great day!
Elizabeth Malcolm (she/her)BA (Hons)
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR /
COORDONNATRICE DE L'ENGAGEMENT DES MEMBRES
PHONE613-234-8252 ext. 1
EMAILmemberservices@cfuw-fcfdu.ca
Statement by Senator Ien to UNCSW 69 on Behalf of Canada
Message from Message from Wendy Taylor, CFUW ON Council RD North
Submitted by Nat Brunette, President
(Posted March 23)
Good Evening,
I am forwarding you this message from our now former Minister of Women & Gender Equality. We have done so well and Canada is considered a donor country at the UNCSW, rather than a country needing great support.
At the UN this year we did not see Minister Ien, but had heard she had arrived. Her Parliamentary Secretary was in attendance at a Canadian session concerning Indigenous women. However shortly thereafter Mark Carney changed his cabinet and the WAGE position was put under another portfolio. A bit of a loss for women.
With a federal election being called very soon, I urge you to ask your candidates about restoring the Ministry of WAGE to cabinet.
Regards,
Wendy
Statement by Minister Ien, Head of the Delegation of Canada, to UNCSW 69th Session
From: Women and Gender Equality Canada
Speech
March 12, 2025 – New York (New York) — Women and Gender Equality Canada
Mister Chair,
I acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional territory of the Lenape people.
In 1995, something amazing happened - the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action set out an ambitious roadmap for achieving the equal rights of all women and girls.
Thirty years later, one would expect the conversation would be about how to go even further, yet, the reality is, and we can all see it, that women’s rights are in peril. Now is not the time to retreat, we must show our resolve, we must stand together in the face of adversity.
Over the last year, we have seen growing threats to gender equality, to the rights of women and girls, and to the freedoms of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Politicians are questioning the value of intersectionality and of supporting an inclusive society.
Sexual and reproductive rights are being rolled back, while women’s health is being forgotten.
Discrimination, hate, and violence continue to fuel anti-feminist ideologies and are threatening the safety of women and girls globally.
And thirty years later, there are women still facing barriers that impact their education, career advancement, and their income. These barriers disproportionately impact Indigenous, Black, racialized people, 2SLGBTQI+ communities and women with disabilities.
We know that challenges to achieving equality are complex, but we also know that we cannot lose the progress that we’ve made.
Canada and its partners have been long-standing global leaders for advancing gender equality. In our efforts to end gender-based violence, Canada has made historic progress by implementing our National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, ensuring victims, survivors, and their families have access to the services they need, while at the same time addressing its root causes, including systemic inequalities and discrimination.
And amid increased attacks on people’s rights and growing global uncertainty, Canadian leadership in promoting and protecting human rights as a core element of Canada’s feminist foreign policy is more important now than ever.
That’s why on March 7, Canada signed the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women – also known as the Belém do Pará Convention.
Canada is also increasing efforts to help set women up for success by fostering women’s economic empowerment and unlocking access to finances, training, and mentorship.
We are also improving affordability and housing access while addressing systemic barriers to women’s employment.
Canada is investing in the early learning and childcare sector to help parents, particularly mothers, participate in the job market. Over the past 2 years, the labour force participation rate for women in Canada hit a record high, surpassing 85 per cent – providing further proof that when you support women, economies thrive.
To achieve true and lasting gender equality, Canada cannot do it alone, which is why through our Feminist International Assistance Policy, we are providing investments to build a more peaceful, more inclusive, and more prosperous world.
Our progress has been a result of the incredible efforts of many partners. This includes Indigenous Peoples, civil society organizations, women’s and human rights organizations, as well as provincial and territorial representatives.
When women, girls, and gender diverse individuals are supported and safe, not only do they soar, but they inspire others to do the same.
Thank you. Merci beaucoup.