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Queer Ontario Outlines Provincial Government Election LGBTQ Issues

March 24th, 2018 Comments off

Queer Ontario – Pre-Provincial Election – March 26, 2018

News Release                                                                                               March 26, 2018

Queer Ontario Outlines Provincial Government Election LGBTQ Issues

Toronto:  The provincial Liberal government, led by out lesbian Premier Kathleen Wynne, can do much to address LGBTQ issues affecting these communities prior to the next provincial election.  Queer Ontario highlights seven (7) issues, non-prioritized that the Liberal government can work on before the next election.

  1. Defunding of the Catholic School Board System:

While the provincial government is planning to close 121 schools and is faced with up to $15 billion in repair backlogs, it is not equitable to have a publicly funded separate Catholic School Board system in this secular province.  Estimated costs of publicly funding the Catholic school system are between $1.5 – $2 billion a year.  Apart from transition costs, savings will still be had by eliminating a school system that to this day flagrantly ignores legislation protecting LGBTQ students.

  1. Further Updating Policies on Blood Donations for Gay Men:

Current policy issued by Canadian Blood Services and Health Canada now requires one year of abstinence, which remains out of touch with current science regarding men who engage in sex with other men donating blood.  The provincial Liberals are urged to pressure their federal cousins to update this policy by completely removing the one (1) year deferral.

  1. Decriminalization of HIV Non Disclosures:

Recently, the Ontario Attorney General and Minister of Health announced ending prosecution of people living with HIV who have suppressed viral loads for six months for nondisclosure.  The provincial government needs to broaden and deepen its reforms to align with those of the federal government.  The province should outline sexual activities that do not pose significant risk of transmission, and limit criminal prosecutions to cases of actual, intentional transmission of HIV.

  1. Special Investigations Unit (SIU):

We call on the provincial Attorney General to implement all 129 recommendations of the Independent Police Oversight Review led by Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Michael H. Tulloch.  We also urge that the names of officers under investigation be released and include under Recommendation 11.1 that demographic data collected by oversight agencies also include sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression.

  1. Gender Pay Gap:

The gender pay gap in Ontario between women and men has stagnated at 30% over the past three (3) decades.  Lesbian and bisexual women can be particularly impacted and trans women are even further challenged by the gender binary in work settings.  Greater enforcement of pay equity laws is required, along with a broader, more inclusive understanding of gender variance. The proposed ‘transparency legislation’ falls short as it only captures medium to large-size employers, whereas 95% of Ontario employers are small businesses, many of which employ women in low-wage positions without benefits.

  1. Reinstating Employment Equity Legislation:

The short-lived Ontario Employment Equity Act under the provincial NDP government, repealed in 1995 by the provincial Conservative government is long overdue for reinstatement.  In addition to the four targeted groups (women, Indigenous, visible minorities and the disabled) in federal employment equity legislation, provincially this should be extended to gender and sexually diverse groups.

 

  1. Ontario Basic Income Pilot:

Queer Ontario supports a basic income in principle.  Nevertheless, care must be taken to ensure sustainability of universal programs and a social service support system to assist those who may require specified and/or ongoing supports.

About Us:  Queer Ontario is a provincial network of gender and sexually diverse individuals – and their allies – who are committed to questioning, challenging, and reforming the laws, institutional practices, and social norms that regulate queer people.

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Interviews:

Nick Mulé

Queer Ontario Spokesperson

nickjmule@gmail.com

416.979.2783

Categories: Policy, Releases Tags:

Welcoming the New Queer Ontario Steering Committee

November 8th, 2012 Comments off

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Hi Everyone,
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I would like to thank all that attended and participated in Queer Ontario’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, November 4, 2012.
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This is to announce our new Steering Committee roster as elected at the AGM (election results in parentheses, positions are staggered):
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Queer Ontario Steering Committee
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Chairperson:
Nick Mulé
Vice Chairperson:
Davina Hader (Newly Elected)
Secretary:
Martin Otarola
Treasurer:
Richard Hudler (Re-Elected)
Member At Large:
Alana Boltwood (Newly Elected)
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We have a very promising team of individuals to assist Queer Ontario in continuing our important work.  Congratulations to Richard Hudler on his re-election as Treasurer, who has our trust and confidence in overseeing the QO finances and advising us on budgetary matters; Davina Hader who was an important and effective liaison to QO on trans issues and carried out extensive cinematography work on the Queer Liberation Theory Project and was a Member At Large, now moves into the role of Vice Chairperson where she will carry on with these duties and more; and Alana Boltwood whose far reaching work on multiple issues as Chairperson of the Research and Education Committee and her ongoing assistance with the QO Think Tank positions her well as our newly elected Member At Large.
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A special thanks is extended to Casey Oraa who chose not to stand in the role of Vice Chairperson.  In this position Casey contributed immensely to QO doing extensive behind the scenes work at every level.  Of course he is best known for raising the profile of issues such as GSAs, queer youth and the education system, with his skilled handling of these difficult issues in the media and his ongoing coalition work with community activists and organizations.  Although he will be greatly missed on the QO Steering Committee, we look forward to continuing to work with him within QO in general.
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In order to align our governance with our fiscal year, Queer Ontario’s next AGM will be in May 2013 at which time the positions of Chairperson, Secretary and Members At Large (1 position within Toronto and 2 outside) will open up for elections.
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Thanks everyone and we look forward to another exciting year made even more so by the promise and talent of our newly elected Queer Ontario Steering Committee members.
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Cheers,
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Nick Mulé

Chairperson,
Queer Ontario
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Call to Action: Ask Pride Toronto to Dismantle the Dispute Resolution Process

June 26th, 2012 Comments off

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June 25, 2012 — For Immediate Release
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In the advent of the complaints that were filed with Pride Toronto’s Dispute Resolution Process (DRP) against Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) – two of which have been removed and new ones lodged – we are reiterating our call for the dissolution of the DRP and invite other LGBTQ groups and organizations to oppose its use and do the same…
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Simply pick and choose your reason(s) for opposing the Process and/or add your own. Then email it to the Pride Toronto offices at office@pridetoronto.com
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For greater resonance, you can even email the co-chairs directly at francisco.alvarez@pridetoronto.com and luka.amona@pridetoronto.com
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Click here to send your message to all three emails.
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A downloadable version of the Call can be found here:
Call to Action: Dispute Resolution Process
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Give the Pride Toronto Board your two cents!
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The Queer Ontario Steering Committee
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