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| Canada's Landmark Event in Support of Women and Girls | | |
In 1929 the 'Persons Case' established that women are persons under the law enabling women to participate in all aspects of Canadian public life. LEAF works through legal action and public education to ensure the guarantees for equality enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are achieved. Please join us as we proudly celebrate in a city near you. We will notify you about details of activities in other cities across Canada once confirmed.
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Calgary, AB
Details to be announced
Edmonton, AB
Persons Day Breakfast
Date: Monday, October 13, 2010
Keynote Speaker: Marilou McPhedran
Location: Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel
Halifax, NS
Date: Monday, October 18
Place: Saint Mary's Boat Club
Keynote Speaker: Naomi Metallic
Kamloops, BC
Women's rights in Canada; Person's Day
Date: Wednesday, October 13
7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Nitya Iyer,
Location: Plaza Heritage Hotel, 405 Victoria St.
Nanaimo, BC
Date: Saturday, October 23
Keynote Speaker: Marcy Cohen
Ottawa, ON
Date: Friday, October 15
Place: The National Arts Centre
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sheema Khan
Sudbury, ON
Film - Recovering Love
Date: Thursday, October 21
Place: Rainbow Cinemas, Rainbow Mall
Toronto, ON
Date: Friday, October 29
Place: The Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
Keynote Speaker: Deena Ladd
Host: Barbara Budd
Vancouver, BC
Person's Day Film Premiere - Constitute!
Date: Monday, October 18
7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Speaker: Marilou McPhedran;
Kasari Govender
Location: 319 Studio, 319 Main St. |
Victoria, BC
Person's Day Wine and Cheese
Date: Thursday, October 21
Keynote Speaker: Marcy Cohen -
The Abortion Caravan
Location: Ambrosia Conference Centre,
638 Fisgard Street Victoria
Winnipeg, MB
Date: Friday, October 15
Place: Winnipeg Convention Centre
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Constance
Backhouse and Tantoo Cardinal
Windsor, ON
Date: Wednesday October 20
Location: Moot Court, U. of Windsor
Keynote Speaker: Superior Court
Justice Renee M. Pomerance
WEST COAST LEAF EVENTS
Planned Giving Workshop
Date: Thursday, Sept. 30
7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Speaker: Tanya Murray
Location: North Van Legion,
123 West 15th Ave., North Van
Tickets: Free but must register by
Friday Sept. 24
Nanaimo Equality Brunch
Date: Saturday, October 23
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Speaker: Marcy Cohen - The Abortion
Caravan
Location: TBD |
Please visit www.leaf.ca - "Membership and Branches" to find a location near you. For more information contact: Audia Johnson at 1-888-824-LEAF (5323) ) ext. 224 |
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New LEAF Website Additions | | 
LEAF and the Community works to expose systemic discrimination in the law as it affects all aspects of our communities. It provides a detailed and engaging analysis of:� Institutional barriers to health care � The criminalization of youth � Discrimination in accessing government benefits, and � Poverty issues. For more on LEAF and the Community: http://leaf.ca/education/community.  LEAF at Home addresses equality rights issues in the home including gender roles both during marriage/intimate partnership and what happens after such relationships break down. The equal sharing of the economic consequences of relationship breakdown and court orders for child and spousal support help to ensure greater fairness for women at home. Women generally face greater economic hardship after relationship break down than men. It is essential that courts recognize the different circumstances of women. For more information on LEAF at Home, and related cases that LEAF has been involved in please visit http://leaf.ca/education. You can also download the Family Law Booklet: Equality Rights in Family Law: Spousal and Child Support which provides an overview of some of the changes to spousal and child support laws since the Charter at http://leaf.ca/education/documents/FamilyLawBook.pdf.For more information on both LEAF at Home and LEAF and the Community programs, please contact the Education Coordinator at [email protected]. |
| LEAF At Work in Calgary | |
After successfully delivering the LEAF at Work program in five communities across Ontario, LEAF is expanding the program to Calgary. Through a partnership with LEAF Calgary Branch and Pro Bono Students Canada in Calgary, LEAF at Work will be available to students across Calgary this school year.
Tara Fry says, "As a teacher, and member of LEAF Calgary, I am thrilled to be a part of bringing the No Means No and LEAF at Work programs to Calgary. These programs are a great fit with the Health and CALM curriculum, and it is wonderful to have programs like these to help engage the students."
LEAF at Work addresses workplace discrimination by engaging youth in critical dialogues to help make legal rights meaningful in their lives, and to provide them with knowledge to ensure respect for their rights.
LEAF at Work aims to equip youth and workers in equity seeking positions with the knowledge to:
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Make informed choices about their work-related relationships.
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Identify and handle situations of sexual harassment and discrimination.
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Understand Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and its application to their lives.
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Access resources to address legal issues they encounter in the workplace.
If you would like to get involved in education programs in Calgary, or find out more about LEAF education programs in your community contact [email protected] or visit www.leaf.ca/education. |
| LEAF Manitoba Youth Commission Events | | 
Manitoba Youth Commissioners have hosted many events often using art to engage youth on equality rights. Using different means of creative expression such as drama, music, dance, fashion, cartoons, poetry and writing, Meghan Menzies and Buchi Nnadi worked with youth to voice their opinions and views on social justice issues.
Meghan said, "Overall this program was a great success. The youth presented a wide range of ideas on what types of discrimination exist in Canada, how they want that discrimination to change, and how they see that change coming about. Many youth commented on the fact that we've come a long way, but that we also have a long way to go. I can draw from this statement that although LEAF may have a long battle ahead, it's a battle that is seeing its fair share of victories. With programs like LEAF's Youth Commission we can be better assured that younger generations will feel prepared to join in the fight for justice and will be there to ensure that with every step backwards, we take two steps forward."
 As a Youth Commissioner for LEAF, Meghan (pictured right) was excited to spend the summer facilitating platforms for the opinions, thoughts and ideas of youth in her community. There are many social injustices that exist within society today, and it has been her experience that some of the most innovative and bright ideas on these topics often come from the ingenious minds of youth. Meghan enjoyed spending the summer exploring the concerns of the people in her community, while collectively creating channels for expression so all voices and opinions can be heard.
On Wednesday July 21, Youth Commissioners Meghan Menzies and Buchi Nnadi hosted Youth Forum: Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. Activism through Art in Winnipeg. There was a discussion on Human Rights, Social Justice, Equality and Empowerment. The participants then broke up into groups to work with youth to use different means of creative expression, primarily button making, patch making, drawing and painting. The idea was to voice opinions and views through a number of mediums that went beyond words.  |
| LEAF Edmonton Youth Commission | | |
Another upcoming Youth Commission event in Edmonton is the launching of four posters developed by the youth. The posters will be printed and the youth will have discussions about their impact. |
| Youth Commission Toronto | |  Beautifying the Neighbourhood
Saturdays and Sundays in August, at Keele and St. Clair in Toronto, community artists Viviana Astudillo (pictured right) and Logan Miller helped build community awareness and improve the aesthetics of the neighbourhood with their creative skills. The design of the mural symbolizes the youth's perspective on social justice and equality rights. |
| 2010 Persons Day Breakfast Toronto | | 
Deena Ladd, an advocate and activist for immigrant women is the guest speaker at the 2010 Persons Day Breakfast in Toronto. Toronto's population is now more than 50% immigrants (born outside the country) and reflects an important aspect of LEAF's work. We are receiving more calls from this community about rights violations and a variety of equity issues, which are also a priority within the corporate community and which reflect emerging diversity trends.
Winner of the prestigious Constance E. Hamilton Award on the Status of Women; Deena Ladd has worked tirelessly to improve working conditions for low-wage earners and immigrant women, mobilizing workers to challenge employers that engage in inequitable practices, and partnering across diverse communities to achieve legislative change. Captivating and compelling, join us as Deena Ladd sheds light on the work still to be done.
The largest event of its kind in Canada, LEAF's Annual Persons Day Breakfast in Toronto attracts 1,000 guests from the legal, financial, business, academic and not-for-profit sectors and raises over $150,000 in support of equality rights for women and girls in Canada.
Join us with host Barbara Budd, whose charisma and unmistakable voice have entertained countless listeners worldwide as former co-host of CBC Radio One show "As It Happens". Much more than just a voice on the radio: Barbara Budd is also a talented actress, writer and motivational speaker.
When: Friday, Oct. 29, 2010
Where: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto.
For tickets and more information, please contact Audia Johnson, Development Coordinator, Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) Inc., 60 St. Clair Ave. East, Ste. 703, Toronto, ON M4T 1N5, Tel: 416.595.7170 Ext 224, Fax: 416.595.7191, or email: [email protected] |
| 2010 LEAF Manitoba Persons Day Breakfast | | |
LEAF Manitoba will celebrate its 20th Persons Day Breakfast, with Dr. Constance Blackhouse and Tantoo Cardinal, addressing the topic "Manitoba Homecoming 2010: Bringing Equality Home". These two women's life stories exemplify dedication to equality and justice.
Constance Backhouse C.M., O.Ont, B.A. (Manitoba), LL.B. (Osgoode Hall), LL.M. (Harvard), LL.D. (Law Society), F.R.S.C., is a respected lawyer, author and educator, recognized for her unwavering dedication to human rights in Canada and around the world.
Tantoo Cardinal C.M., a Metis/Cree from northern Alberta, mother, actor and writer's personal commitment to ending violence against women became a mobilizing voice in Canada.
When: Friday, October 15th, 2010, 7:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Winnipeg Convention Centre
Individual tickets are $25 and available at:
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Manitoba Status of Women, 409-401 York Ave., Telephone: (T) (204) 945-6281
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McNally Robinson Booksellers, Grant Park Shopping Centre
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LEAF Manitoba (T) (204)453-1379 or [email protected]Sponsor Patrons & Hosts levels of support are $1000 and $500. For more information on this event, or to purchase a ticket, please contact LEAF Manitoba at: [email protected] or (204) 453-1379
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| LEAF P.E.I. Persons Day Event | | |
LEAF P.E.I. will celebrate a Person's Day event Monday October 18th, hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, the Honourable Barbara A. Hangerman at the her Fanningbank, Charlottetown, residence. The reception will be held from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The Lieutenant Governor will honour lawyer Daphne Dumont, recipient of the 2009 Governor General's Award, in Commemoration of the Persons Case and a founding member of LEAF. Ms. Dumont will give a short address. Light refreshments will be served.
 Daphne E. Dumont, Q.C.
Daphne E. Dumont is an experienced family lawyer who has practiced in Charlottetown since 1978. She is a partner in the law firm of Macnutt & Dumont. She is a certified collaborative lawyer and a member of Collaborative Law PEI. Daphne also has extensive training in the areas of law which complement family law (real estate, wills and estates, civil law, and human rights and equality law).
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| A United Way to Support LEAF | | 
From September 9 - October 15, the United Way will be staging their Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) and their corporate campaign across Canada. The campaign period is a special moment of the year when everyone becomes intensely aware of the importance of caring and sharing. By giving to the United Way, your charitable dollars are pooled with thousands of others, and the United Way then makes significant financial investments in a wide range of community agencies and projects. Eighty-eightcents of every dollar goes back to the community. You can direct your United Way charitable donation to support LEAF. Considering for 25 years LEAF has been supporting women to be recognized in the workplace in legal cases that address maternity benefits, pay equity, pension rights and accommodation - it's a fitting way to mark LEAF's work in your workplace! And it's simple... The annual campaign offers the convenience of using payroll deduction to manage your charitable giving. It's easy, and many don't even notice the amount coming off of their pay cheque. Your donation is then included on your T4 slip for your tax return. If you would like to direct your charitable donation to the United Way to LEAF, please include our charitable number 10821 9916 RR0001. This way, you will be certain that your donation will support LEAF. |
| Emily MacKinnon Recital | |  
Roger Parton and Emily MacKinnon
Saturday, August 14, Emily MacKinnon once again staged a terrific recital on behalf of LEAF National, to an audience of 30 people. Roger Parton accompanied her on piano. The benefit concert raised $120 which Emily kindly donated to LEAF National. Thank you Emily, from everyone at LEAF |
| Creating a Philanthropic Plan - Leaving a Women's Legacy! | | 
On LEAF's 25th Anniversary, one of LEAF's founders has decided to leave another legacy. Not only was Marilou McPhedran instrumental in the founding of LEAF, she has decided in the planning of her Will to leave a bequest to LEAF. Marilou sees her legacy gift as her final dedication to ensure LEAF's future for women and girls in Canada.
LEAF's work is all about leaving a legacy. Working on substantive equality for all women means that when LEAF takes on a case we do so with the intent of looking at the long term repercussions and the impact it will have for all women. So it is fitting and with much reflection that we write this article on leaving a legacy or simply put, Estate Planning. There is no better time to plan than the fall, which for many is the start of a new year - back to school, back to work, and back to planning. Forget all those other New Year's resolutions to exercise, stop eating chocolate, and read more books. Make the first priority what inevitably will become your last priority in life; and speaking from experience, what you will be remembered for by those you leave behind.
If you own assets, you need a Will. A Will is the foundation of your estate plan. If you don't have one government is legislated to distribute your assets upon death. You've now handed over everything you worked for to be decided on by government. So get a Will! In a Will you outline your finances, assets and goals for distribution. You'll need to outline both your assets and liabilities, determine how the needs of your beneficiaries can best be met, appoint a guardian for minor children, appoint an Executor, and detail measures for the Power of Attorney. It's a good idea to hire a lawyer to draft your Will and speak with financial advisors about your assets and how to position them. There are also many helpful resources online and at the library and bookstore to assist you in the process.
The natural path for your giving can and should end in your Will. What you put in your Will can be your last gesture to those groups. At LEAF, we do receive from individuals what I like to call their most thoughtful gift, a gift through their Will. When you think about it, it is something they had to plan well in advance and take into consideration the impact the gift would have on the work we do. They would then have to share their plan with family and professionals so that everyone is clear on their intent. And for many, they are thinking decades into the future about how that gift might make an impact. Your Personal Philanthropic Plan So now that you are developing your Will and you've decided that you might like to leave a legacy, not only for family and friends but perhaps for the organizations that have been a part of your life, it's time to finalize your personal philanthropic plan. During this part of the Will process, it can be very helpful to connect with the charity and, more importantly your financial advisors. There are a number of ways you can leave a gift to an organization in your Will, and here are a few samples of the many options: -
Use assets for your charitable gift such as cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, term deposits, real estate, vehicles, jewellery, art or insurance. Some of these gifts can provide tax savings
Like the other parts of the Will, the last priority in your philanthropic plan will be executed on your death. This final very thoughtful gift becomes your legacy for the next generation. At LEAF these gifts have been used for litigation, research, education program development, branch initiatives and helping to ensure that we meet our mission every day. It is estimated in the years ahead with the aging population in Canada, that ordinary people like you and I will transfer One Trillion Dollars to the next generation through our estates. It's a staggering amount equivalent to the world's largest bank. The question we each have to ask ourselves is what amount of our part of that Trillion Dollars do we want to contribute to the next generation through our charities of choice. Yes the family legacy is important but the greatest impact for the future is perhaps in the legacy we leave to the groups and organizations that are helping to make our world the place we can imagine it to be.  Do let your first priority for this year be to: 1. Make sure you have a Will 2. And if you have a Will, think about how to include your Philanthropic Plan Okay, now that you've dealt with 'the end priorities', it's time to live life. You can now get back to those other resolutions, join the Y, eat more celery and renew your library card.
If you are interested in learning more about Estate Planning and how to make a philanthropic plan please contact LEAF. For more information, or to answer any questions please contact Audrey Johnson at 1-888-824-5323 x225 or email [email protected]. Online resources also include: Leave a Legacy - www.leavealegacy.ca. |
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