Dear Friend,
As our clocks spring forward into daylight savings time and hopefully a ‘springy’ March, we leave Black History Month behind.
I have to say that February 2023 represented the most powerful Black History Month I have ever experienced. I was able to join my colleagues like Minister Marci Ien and MP David McGuinty to announce mental health funding for Black youth and those communities disproportionately affected by Covid-19. I was able to join Lori Beazer and the Oakwood Vaughan community at the spectacular Oakwood Village Market’s new location of the First Unitarian Church, join Reverend Lamenteria Hall and the Verity Centre for Better Living community at their special service with the Community Choir where, as always, the music and spirit of celebration was truly contagious.
But the highlight this year was our visit to Spadina House for Dis/Mantle – City of Toronto. As we know, Spadina House Museum is the beautiful restored home of the Austin family, the founders of the Dominion Bank of Canada. Years ago, there was a play about the life of the Austin’s laundress Louisa Pipkin who was a freedom seeker, who escaped enslavement in the United States and came to Canada leaving her children behind.
|
“Dis/Mantle, an art exhibit inspired by the efforts of Black abolitionists, reimagines Spadina Museum using an Afrofuturism narrative: where Mrs. Pipkin is now the homeowner and the house is a safe haven for those seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad. The group show includes soundscapes, ceramics and visual art from Canadian artists from the Afro-Caribbean diaspora, including an iconic portrait of Louisa Pipkin and a series of new portraits of members of the Black community by lead artist Gordon Shadrach.”
|
The immersive experience is truly poignant. One can’t help but be deeply troubled by the brutal reality of slavery and the fact that Canada and Canadians were complicit. Our history was ‘whitewashed’ by Canada’s positive role in the ‘Underground Railroad’. We must remember that slavery happened here. Two state-sanctioned discriminations – colonization and slavery. I am so pleased that the exhibit has been extended until the end of May and hope that you will visit the Dis/Mantle art exhibit by joining a free guided tour of the museum. Also exciting to see that George Shadrach will give an artist’s talk and critique of artists works at the Nia Centre on March 15.
|
On March 8, we celebrate International Women’s Day. Over the years, IWD has become a date to celebrate how far women have come in society, in politics and economically. This year, the theme in Canada is ‘Every Woman Counts,’ which allows us to recognize the disparities that still exist and to work together to close those gaps.
This year I’ll once again be pleased to join Trustee Shelley Laskin as we bring together young women leaders from 10 schools across our riding to hear from Anna Johnson, Senior Doctoral Student in Women & Politics at the University of Toronto; Marcelle Aleid, Owner of Zezafoun Syrian Cuisine, Film Director and Writer; Jill Andrew, MPP for Toronto-St. Paul’s; Rachel Farrell, Event Specialist at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment; and Colleen Russell-Rawlins, TDSB Director of Education.
I am really looking forward to the small group discussions to hear the views of the young women on how far women have come, how much further we need to go as we leave no-one behind.
Every Women Counts means that we need to better understand the difference between equality and equity, which are often confused.
I love this image!
|
As we look forward to Budget 2023, I hope you will all let me know of your ideas for a healthy, green and prosperous Canada that leaves no-one behind.
|
|
|
|
Saturday, March 18 | 2:00PM-4:00PM
McSorley's Tavern & Grill
1544 Bayview Ave, Toronto
The Hon. Carolyn Bennett & Hon. Rob Oliphant invite you to celebrate the Irish (or honourary Irish) in all of us at our annual St. Patrick’s Day social.
Free admission to this family-friendly event includes live traditonal Irish music by Loretto Reid and October Browne, pub snacks, soft drinks and a sing-along led by the MPs!
|
|
|
|
Virtual Townhall on the Environment
|
Sunday, April 23 | 2:00PM-3:30PM
A Facebook Live Event
For this important Earth Day conversation, join the Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Hon. Marco Mendicino and the Hon. Rob Oliphant with special guests online to
discuss the environment and climate change.
To watch this virtual event live, visit www.facebook.com/carolyn.bennett.stpauls
or if you miss it, a recording of the event will be placed on my Facebook page and website.
|
|
|
COVID-19 Free vaccines are available to everyone in Canada. To learn more about Canada's response to COVID19 visit:
canada.ca/covid-19
|
|
WELLNESS TOGETHER Connects Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls.
wellnesstogether.ca
|
|
KIDS HELP PHONE Connects youth with professional counselling, information and referrals across Canada without any face-to-face contact.
kidshelpphone.ca
|
|
|
The Toronto -St. Paul's constituency office is open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Call us at 416-952-3990, or email [email protected] for assistance in any federal matter.
Please forward this newsletter to your friends who may be interested in signing up! To sign up email [email protected].
|
|
|
Hon. Carolyn Bennett
40 Holly St - Suite 103
Toronto, ON M4S 3C3
Canada
|
|
|
|