Campaigns & Initiatives

Aboriginal Child Welfare Appeal Delayed Again
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has delayed again the hearing on the claim of discrimination in funding for aboriginal child welfare.  And the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs has applied again to dismiss the case.  The CCRC sent a letter to the Prime Minister,  asking him to take leadership of this matter, withdraw the motion to dismiss, and move to resolve the claim as soon as possible.  This would be a good example of giving priority to the best interests of the aboriginal children in need of help. If you would like to write the PM or your MP, you are welcome to use the CCRC letter as example. letter-on-aboriginal-child-wlfare-hearing (Posted January 2010)

Albertans Who Care – Formerly Who Cares? Alberta  In light of the continuing crisis in community human services, Public Interest Alberta has relaunched the Who Cares? Alberta campaign - with a new name, - in an effort to reach out to Albertans from all sectors and walks of life and engage them in this critical issue. We must rally together for investments in quality human services in order to care for the most vulnerable in our communities (Posted Nov 2009)

Alberta College of Social Workers Income Disparity Campaign
ACSW has taken a leadership role in stopping the growing income disparity between Alberta’s haves and have-nots. It has embarked on a campaign to raise awareness of the gap, offer solutions for arresting and closing it, and working with government to implement appropriate social policy change (Posted 2009)

Alberta College of Social Workers Income Disparity Campaign
ACSW has taken a leadership role in stopping the growing income disparity between Alberta’s haves and have-nots. It has embarked on a campaign to raise awareness of the gap, offer solutions for arresting and closing it, and working with government to implement appropriate social policy change (Posted 2009)

Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS) Workforce 2010
An initiative to address issues facing the labour market that supports children youth and adults with disabilities. (Posted 2009)

Alberta Disabilities Forum
A group of over 30 non-profit, provincial organizations who have come together to share information and ideas and to speak in a unified voice on issues of interest to Albertans with disabilities (Posted 2009)

Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society filed a complaint with the federal government alleging Canada was racially discriminating against First Nations children by providing a lesser standard for First Nations child welfare funding. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal began hearing the case on September 14, 2009 and testimony will resume on November 16. The tribunal comes at an important time—a year after the federal government’s official apology for residential schools that acknowledged, among other things, the damage done by separating First Nations children from their families. To become involved, sign up as a witness or write to the Prime Minister and the Hon.Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to let them know you are following the tribunal. Visit www.fnwitness.ca  for more information. (Posted Oct 2009)

Bring Change 2 Mind
The stigma surrounding mental illness can be isolating. It leaves us feeling vulnerable, judged, ashamed, and perceived as being inadequate parents. CABF is participating in Bring Change 2 Mind in an effort to break down the misunderstanding surrounding mental illness. They joined this campaign so children would grow up to live in a world where their friends, colleagues and family will better understand their struggles. (Posted Oct 2009)

CCAAC InitiativeOpen letter to all MP's
Highlighting results from the Child Care Human Resources Sector Council's report "Understanding and Addressing Workforce Shortages in Early Childhood Education and Care."The study contains evidence that investing in the child care sector is THE biggest job creator and provides one of the highest GDP impacts of all major sectors in Canada. Their open letter calls on the government to provide policy and funding leadership so that all parents have access to affordable high quality early childhood education and care services. They are asking you to sign on to this letter as an individual and/or organization so that they can add your name with the many others who have already done so from coast to coast. To endorse, please send your name and/or organization's name to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Canadian Chamber Of Commerce's New Resolution (The)
States that the federal government, in cooperation with the provinces, territories and other stakeholders should fund and assist in the development of a provincially delivered early childhood development program to improve the long-term productivity of Canada through a better educated, more highly skilled workforce, resulting in superior economic performance. (Posted January 2010)

Calgary HR Initiative
A unique opportunity for nonprofit / voluntary organizations to participate in an Organizational Change project through a partnership with the MBA program of the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. This project will allow organizations to draw upon experience, expertise and new perspectives to develop solutions to workplace and organizational change issues.

Canada Women’s Foundation Women Moving Women -2500 women moving 2500 women out of poverty Women Moving Women is a ground-breaking movement of 2500 women donating $2500 to move 2500 women out of poverty. Each $2500 donation will fund a woman's participation in a life-changing economic development program funded through the Canadian Women's Foundation. (Posted 2009)

Dignity for All Campaign
The Campaign for a Poverty-free Canada which was recently launched on May 22, 2009. The Dignity for All Campaign calls for vigorous and sustained action by the federal government to combat the structural causes of poverty in Canada. Please visit to add your personal and/or your group's endorsement of this new pan-Canadian campaign, and to receive or enquire about further information. (Posted May 2009)

Edmonton Aboriginal Transition Initiative (EATI).
The Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) is administering the Edmonton Aboriginal Transition Initiative (EATI). They are currently conducting Community Members and Agency assessments to identify needs and gaps in transition services available to Aboriginal people when they move to Edmonton. The intent to design a coordinated service delivery network within the city.  As part of this work, we are conducting four Community Input meetings to hear from community members (Community Members Questionnaire). In reaching the service providers, they are also setting up focus groups and individual meeting with agencies, organizations, managers, project coordinators, etc (anyone who works with Aboriginal people in a relevant area) to go over the Agency Questionnaire. Someone from the EATI-ANFCA project will be contacting you to possibly set up a time we can meet with you. Alternately, you may call or contact us yourself to set up a meeting time. If this is not possible, they have also setup online questionnaires for both Community Members and Agencies to fill out and submit electronically. Questionnaires may also be faxed to ANFCA (fax # 780 425-6277). If you have any questions, please send an email or call 780 423-3138 ext 210 (Adrian Wolfleg). (Posted Oct 2009)

Families Who Care Campaign
A Campaign effort to reach out to Albertans from all sectors and walks of life and engage them in this critical issue in an effort to rally together for investments in quality human services in order to care for the most vulnerable in our communities

Government ceases formal support of Child and Youth Care Certification
February 12, 2009 Last week the government announced that official recognition of certification would disappear from their job classification series and supervisors would no longer be required to be certificated by the CYCAA. The CYCAA Response to Certification designation CYCAA is encouraging all members to write or email letters to the people on the list included expressing their concerns about the recent changes described in the attached letter.

"I am a witness" campaign.
Letter From Cindy Blackstock,
I am writing to invite you all to spend two minutes supporting our "I am a witness" campaign. This campaign calls on caring Canadians and people from around the world to sign up to say they will witness the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal which is reviewing a complaint that the federal government discriminates against First Nations children by providing them with less child welfare funding and benefit than other children receive. Being a witness means you agree to follow the case by either attending the tribunal in person or following it through the media, or visiting our website - www.fncaringsociety.com.  After you have heard all the facts presented at the tribunal you will be in a good position to make up your own mind about whether or not you feel the federal government is treating First Nations children fairly.
Be amongst the first to sign up as a witness - it is free and open to all organizations and individuals and please encourage everyone in your circle to do so as well. A year after the apology for residential schools we want the Canadian government to know that caring Canadians and people from around the world are keeping watch over this generation of First Nations children.Here is the website - please do spend 2 minutes to sign up!  Here is the website http://www.fnwitness.ca (Posted Oct 2009)

Cindy Blackstock,
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada
Suite 302, 251 Bank Street, Ottawa ON
Canada, K2P 1X3

Imagine Canada is proposing a Stretch Tax Credit for Charitable Giving, a new and simple tax incentive for all Canadians.to encourage more Canadians to give and to support those who do give to give more. The Stretch Tax Credit for Charitable Giving would increase the federal charitable tax credit from 29% to 39% on all NEW giving that is over $20. Read the opinion editorial here (Posted Nov 09)

Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. Indigenous Leadership Initiative (The)
Canada needs policies and programs to alleviate aboriginal poverty that is grounded in common sense and the acceptance of responsibility. It is time for the federal government to quit “passing the buck” and it’s time for everyone to accept their share or responsibility: the federal government, aboriginal government, the provincial governments and individual Canadians-both aboriginal and non-aboriginal.
For more information on the Indigenous Leadership Initiative contact: (Posted January 2010)
The Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc.
101-1874 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg MB, Canada R3C 0H2
Phone: (204) 940-1700 • Fax: (204) 940-1719 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mental Health Commission of Canada Developing a Mental Health Strategy for Canada: The Next Steps The Mental Health Commission of Canada has announced the start of the 2nd phase of the mental health strategy development plan. Beginning in March 2010, the Commission will host a series of roundtable meetings. As part of this year's Alternative Federal Budget project, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives have initiated an online consultation. What our governments do in the coming months will deeply affect whether the economic recovery only works for those invested in stock markets or whether it works for every Canadian household: rich, poor, or middle class.  What do you think the priorities of the 2010 federal budget should be? Take part in the CCPA's Alternative Federal Budget online!  (Posted March 2010)

National Eating Disorder Information Centre
Send a message to the message-makers by signing the petition. If you don't believe that beauty is synonymous with ultra-thinness, now is your chance to send a message to those  who do. It's all part of a new campaign (see accompanying ads) by NEDIC that takes aim at the fashion and marketing industries, the over-arching message being: Cast responsibly. Retouch minimally. By signing the petition, you'll help us make some noise with the aim of creating much-needed discussion and - better yet - change. (Posted Feb 2010)

Public Interest Alberta is calling on all Albertans to join the campaign to eliminate Poverty
Following the release of the report,We Must Do Better: It's Time to Make Alberta Poverty-Free, Public Interest Alberta is calling on all Albertans to join the campaign to eliminate poverty in our province. A comprehensive poverty elimination strategy requires all levels to work together and all voices to be heard, so sign on to the campaign today! (Posted Dec 09)

Public invited to provide input into child intervention system review.
Members of the public are invited to share their ideas as part of a review of the child intervention system in Alberta. The external review panel established this past summer is looking at what is working and what can be improved in the system that supports at-risk children, youth and families in the province. The panel has launched a website with a discussion guide so the public can offer its thoughts and ideas.
Read the news release. 
Share your thoughts
Public invited to provide input into child intervention system review.

Wellesley Institute’s National Housing Plan
Parliament should pass Bill C-304; Canada urgently needs national housing plan The time is right for Parliament to pass Bill C-304, which directs the federal housing minister to consult widely and develop a national affordable housing plan within 180 days. The Wellesley Institute’s Michael Shapcott offered expert testimony at the Commons HUMA committee on Nov. 5 on the four key reasons for a comprehensive national housing framework. Click here for the speaking notes for the HUMA presentation. (Post Nov 09)