Punch Up Collective

Artists talk + Vernissage /Exhibition Land: echos and dissonances | Territoire: échos et dissonances
2023-07-04 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Toronto) | SAW Gallery, 67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N7B9, Canada
​​*FR ci-dessous*
Artists talk + outdoor art exhibition opening / SAW Center courtyard 67 Nicholas st. Ottawa. 6:00 – 7:00pm (ends at 9:30pm).
You are invited to a presentation by the artists of the project “Land : echos and dissonances”, with Jobena Petonoquot, Craig Commanda, Mathieu Gagnon and Mathilde Forest, organized as part of the Dialogues: Encounters with Riopelle’s Oeuvre from Sea to Sea. The artists will talk about their creative process and the artworks they are presenting as a result of this cultural mediation project organized by the Atelier d’innovation sociale. The presentation will continue with a discussion of the issues raised during two citizens’ walks organized for the project, that aimed at re-discovering the Chaudières Falls area of Ottawa-Gatineau – and its ongoing transformations.
Artists websites :

Jobena Petonoquot https://www.instagram.com/indigenous_practicing_artist
Craig Commanda https://www.instagram.com/craigcommandacreations
Mathieu Gagnon and Mathilde Forest gagnon-forest.com
Mathilde Forest mathildeforest.ca
Dialogues Riopelle program website : https://www.dialoguesriopelle.com/#projects

About the project :
Territory: echoes and dissonances
This project brings together a group of visual artists, both indigenous and non-indigenous, to express their own vision on the idea of territory, inspired by the urban landscape of the Ottawa-Gatineau region. It was organized in together with the Atelier d’innovation sociale Mauril-Bélanger, an organization working for justice and social transformation.
This collaboration was marked by two walks and a workshop that enabled citizens to rediscover two historic sites in the midst of major urban transformations. On May 13, the poet and Kitigan Zibi Elder Albert Dumont led a walk to recount the cultural significance and sacredness of the Akikodjiwan site (Chaudiere Falls) to the Anishinaabe Nation. The May 14 event, with historian Michel Prévost and followed by a discussion workshop, explored the history and multiple transformations, past and future, of the LeBreton Flats and Chaudiere Falls, an area that was also important to the capital’s French-speaking community.
Nature, the post-industrial urban setting and the democratic process were at the heart of the discussions at this workshop. These encounters opened up a dialogue between citizens of different generations and cultures about the transformations of the landscape caused by the major real estate projects underway in the capital.
Drawing on these issues to varying degrees, artists were invited to create an artistic restitution inspired by these topics. Through their different approaches, they bring their own visions to bear, using both traditional and updated practices such as contemporary beadwork, or photographic or technological tools such as 3d modeling.
Echoing the legacy of Jean Paul Riopelle, the artists’ works question landscape, nature and the sacred in equal measure: urban territory is analyzed in Mathieu Gagnon’s images, reproduced as a motif in Mathilde Forest’s work, while the mastered materiality of Craig Commanda’s work evokes a bestiary, and Jobena Petonoquot’s a profund symbolism.
FRANÇAIS
Présentation d’artistes + vernissage exposition / Cours intérieure du Centre SAW, 67 rue Nicholas, Ottawa. 18h00 – 19h00 (fin de l’évènement à 21h30).
Vous êtes invité.e.s à une présentation des artistes du projet « Territoire : échos et dissonances » en présence de Jobena Petonoquot, Craig Commanda, Mathieu Gagnon et Mathilde Forest et organisée dans le cadre du programme Dialogues Riopelle – d’un océan à l’autre. Ceux-ci parleront de leur processus créatif et des œuvres qu’iels présentent suite au projet médiation culturelle organisé par l’Atelier d’innovation sociale. La discussion se poursuivra à propos des enjeux soulevés durant deux marches citoyennes organisées pour le projet qui ont permis de redécouvrir le secteur des Chutes des Chaudières à Ottawa-Gatineau – et ses transformations.
Sites web des artistes :

Jobena Petonoquot https://www.instagram.com/indigenous_practicing_artist
Craig Commanda https://www.instagram.com/craigcommandacreations
Mathieu Gagnon et Mathilde Forest gagnon-forest.com
Mathilde Forest mathildeforest.ca
Site web du programme Dialogues Riopelle : https://www.dialoguesriopelle.com/#projects

À propos du projet :
Territoire : échos et dissonances
Ce projet réunit un groupe d’artistes en arts visuels, autochtones et allochtones, pour exprimer une vision propre à l’idée de territoire en s’inspirant du paysage urbain de la région d’Ottawa-Gatineau. Il a été organisé conjointement avec l’Atelier d’innovation sociale Mauril-Bélanger, un organisme travaillant pour la justice et la transformation sociale.
Cette collaboration a été marquée par deux marches et un atelier ayant permis à des citoyens et citoyennes de redécouvrir deux sites historiques en pleines transformations. Le 13 mai, Albert Dumont, poète et aîné de Kitigan Zibi a guidé une marche pour raconter l’importance culturelle et l’aspect sacré du site d’Akikodjiwan (Chutes des Chaudières) pour la Nation Anichinabée.
L’évènement du 14 mai, en compagnie de l’historien Michel Prévost et suivi d’un atelier de discussion, a fait découvrir l’histoire et les multiples transformations passées et à venir des plaines LeBreton et des chutes des Chaudières, un secteur qui fût également important pour la communauté francophone de la capitale.
La nature, le cadre urbain post-industriel et le processus démocratique étaient au centre des échanges soulevés lors de cet atelier de discussion. Ces rencontres ont en effet permis d’entamer un dialogue entre des citoyen.ne.s de générations et de cultures différentes à propos des transformations du paysage causés par les grands projets immobiliers en cours dans la capitale. S’inspirant de ces questions à divers degrés, les artistes ont été invités à effectuer une restitution artistique inspirés ces enjeux. Par leur différentes démarchent iels amènent des visions qui leurs sont propres, par des pratiques à la fois traditionnelles et réactualisées telle que le perlage autochtone contemporain, ou encore par les outils photographiques ou technologiques tel que la modélisation 3D.
Faisant écho au legs de Jean Paul Riopelle, les œuvres des artistes interrogent autant le paysage, la nature et le sacré : le territoire urbain est analysé dans les images de Mathieu Gagnon, il est traité comme un motif dans le travail de Mathilde Forest, alors que d’une matérialité maitrisée un bestiaire est évoqué chez Craig Commanda, puis un symbolisme amené par Jobena Petonoquot.

Ottawa Transit Riders Annual General Meeting
2023-07-04 17:30 - 19:30 | Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Jack Purcell Lane, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P1M4, Canada
Share your concerns about public transit in Ottawa, and let’s plan on how to make transit more reliable, affordable, and accessible at our Annual General Meeting!
Agenda coming soon!
Faites-nous part de vos préoccupations concernant le transport en commun à Ottawa et planifions des moyens de rendre le transport en commun plus fiable, plus abordable et plus accessible lors de notre assemblée générale annuelle !
L’agenda sera bientôt disponible !

WHEN
July 04, 2023 at 5:30pm – 7:30pm

WHERE
Jack Purcell Community Centre
320 Jack Purcell Ln
Room 203
Ottawa, ON K2P 1M4
Canada
Google map and directions

We Bike For Our Kids
2023-07-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Somerset St. W. and Queen Elizabeth Drive
For those who love to bike, for those who love kids, and for those who want climate action: You’re all invited to join us for a family-friendly group bike ride!
We believe riding bikes is, first and foremost, fun! And it is an important part of climate action. But it can be intimidating for parents: how can I transport little kids, or big kids, where do I feel safe biking, how do I plan a route, what size bike does my kid need, does this helmet fit properly? That’s where meeting family bike friends can help! Come out and see a range of kid-toting bike options: child seats, trailers, long tails, bakfiets and ask any questions of the bike community
We encourage you to register with the link below (completely optional) but it always us to have a sense of who is coming and we can contact you Incase there are any changes! https://www.forourkids.ca/webikeforourkids_ottawagatineau
Schedule:
10AM – Meet at Somerset St. W. and Queen Elizabeth Drive
10:15AM – Bike Ride Begins! We will ride on completely car-free routes so everyone feels welcome and safe. We will go along the Queen Elizabeth Drive section closed to cars.
11:00AM (approximately) Arrive at Patterson’s Creek Park. Time to chat, visit the Bistro, have a cup of coffee, picnic and play! Bring your own blanket, snacks, and maybe some toys or games (there is no playground at the park).
RAIN DATE: Sunday, July 2
Join us throughout the spring, summer, and fall for more rides!
‘For Our Kids’ is a community of parents, grandparents and families who are concerned about climate change. We organize family-friendly activism and information activities and provide a space to connect and take action together. We strive to be a welcoming place for all parents, guardians, grandparents, caregivers, and community members to connect and act together.

Note: This event was originally scheduled for June 25th but rescheduled to July 2nd due to poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke.

Vanier Rally ~ Manif de Vanier
2023-06-28 14:00 - 16:00 | 233 Montreal Rd
Fridays for Future Ottawa is supporting 350 Canada’s Canada is Burning National Day of Action. The demonstration will be at the office of Vanier Hon MP Mona Fortier, who is also the President of the Treasury Board. Brings signs, smoke masks and a friend.

Family Drag Story Time
2023-06-28 10:00 - 12:00 | National Arts Center, 1 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1, Ottawa, Canada
Free with Monkey Rock Music! Local drag celebrities China Doll and Cyril Cinder and Musicians from Monkey Rock Music are here to entertain children and families of all ages.

Soul Space Wellness Workshops
2023-06-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Sandy Hill Community Centre, 250 Sommerset Street E, Ottawa
Soul Space Wellness Workshops welcome Ottawa’s frontline street health, harm reduction, community and social service workers for a monthly offering of a collective activity to promote wellness and to heal in community. Offerings will differ each month, and may include creative activities, guest speakers, forest bathing, yoga and movement, mindfulness and more.

This Tuesday evening features a guided forest therapy walk with Andrea Forest Therapy Ottawa!

Cost: Free – $10 (depending on workshop)

Rally for Justice! Justice for Hodan Hashi
2023-06-25 17:00 - 19:00 | Human Rights Monument, 220 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
OTTAWA, ON — Join us Sunday, June 25, 2023, at 5:00 P.M. in a powerful demonstration of unity and resilience! In response to the disturbing lack of accountability and the disregard for Black lives in this case, a powerful protest is set to take place at 220 Elgin St., highlighting the urgent need for systemic change and an end to the impunity that perpetuates racial injustice.
Share far and wide, no matter where you live or your platform size!
With an unwavering commitment to uncovering the corruption and facts in the killing of Hodan Hashi, we will not rest! As the echoes of history reverberate, we gather to make our outrage heard by the Saskatchewan Provincial Court in their error of judgment. Make sure to join us at 220 Elgin St. on Sunday, June 25 at 5:00 pm – this is not just a march, but a resounding and loud call for transparency, accountability and justice.
Let the flames of solidarity burn bright as we demand accountability, dismantling the structures that perpetuate apathy against Black women. We march for those who have been silenced, for the lives that have been lost, and for the generations yet to come. Our presence is a powerful symbol of hope, resilience, and our collective and unwavering pursuit of justice.
It’s time to challenge the status quo and the systems that have harmed countless individuals. Let our voices reverberate through the streets, shaking the very foundations of injustice. We refuse to be silent observers; we choose to be catalysts for change.
This protest is a peaceful but powerful expression of our determination to create a world where skin color is never a cause for discrimination, but a celebration of humanity. Join us as we march towards a future defined by equity, compassion, and justice.
Alone, we can have a voice, together we can ROAR! Together, we are unstoppable.

Marcelo Saavedra-Vargas Celebration of Life/Célébration de la vie-June 21st-The Terminus
2023-06-21 17:00 - 19:00 | Ontario
OPIRG is celebrating the life of our dear brother Marcelo. We are planning a celebration of sharing art, music and spoken words.
Where: The Terminus, Jack Turcot Building
When: June 21st from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

If you would like to share some art or spoken words, please contact: research.coordinator@opirg-gripo.ca

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GRIPO célèbre la vie de notre cher frère Marcelo. Nous prévoyons une célébration du partage de l’art, de la musique et des paroles.
Où : Le Terminus, Édifice Jack Turcot
Quand : 21 juin de 17h00 à 19h00
Si vous souhaitez partager de l’art ou des paroles, veuillez contacter: research.coordinator@opirg-gripo.ca

Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival
2023-06-21 - 2023-06-25 | Mādahòkì Farm, 4420 West Hunt Club Rd, Nepean, Ontario, K2R1E7, Canada
For the full schedule of events, visit this link: Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival – Summer Solstice Festivals
The Summer Solstice Festival takes place June 21- 25th at MĀDAHÒKÌ FARM, a spectacular tourism experience and gathering place in Ottawa’s Greenbelt. MĀDAHÒKÌ, which means “to share land” in Anishinaabe, builds on the growing interest in agritourism, farm-to-table culinary experiences and authentic cultural experiences from an Indigenous perspective. It is also the year-round home of an Indigenous Marketplace selling products made by Indigenous artisans, the permanent home of a small but growing herd of endangered Ojibwe Spirit Horses and other interesting attractions.

CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS CULTURE & HERITAGE

Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival is a multi-disciplinary arts festival that brings together Indigenous artists, performers, educators, students, and community members to share knowledge and celebrate Canada’s diverse Indigenous cultures.
Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) takes place during National Indigenous History Month and coincides with National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD)
June 21, 2023 marks the national 27th anniversary of celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples!
Also known as Summer Solstice, June 21st is the longest day of the year and throughout history and across continents a time for Indigenous cultural celebration.
Summer Solstice Festivals are produced by Indigenous Experiences on behalf of the National Indigenous Peoples Day Committee (NIPD) comprising national organizations representing Canada’s indigenous communities.
For over twenty years, NIPD/ Summer Solstice events in the National Capital Region have created opportunities for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the culture and contributions of Inuit, First Nations and Métis peoples.

Book Launch: Gendered Islamophobia by Monia Mazigh
2023-06-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Abbotsford House, 950 Bank St, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5G6, Canada
Join us for a special book launch event as Monia Mazigh presents her new book, Gendered Islamophobia: My Journey With a Scar(f), in conversation with Adrian Harewood.
Date: Tuesday June 20, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Location: Abbotsford House, 950 Bank St, Ottawa
Purchase Gendered Islamophobia
This passionate book describes the author’s struggles as a hijab-wearing Muslim immigrant woman in Canada, and the harmful stereotypes she has encountered in the streets and public spaces, in universities, and in the media.
Monia Mazigh was born and raised in Tunisia and immigrated to Canada in 1991. She speaks Arabic, French, and English fluently and holds a doctorate in finance. Monia was catapulted onto the public stage in 2002 when her husband, Maher Arar, was deported to Syria where he was tortured and held without charge for over a year. She campaigned vigorously for her husband’s release and later fought to re-establish his reputation and sought reparations. Her book, Hope and Despair, details the account of the family’s ordeal. She is also the author of two novels, Mirrors and Mirages, and Hope Has Two Daughters. Another novel, Farida, is forthcoming. She lives in Ottawa.
Adrian Harewood has been a journalist for over a quarter century. He was the anchor of CBC Ottawa News at Six for 13 years, and previously hosted CBC Ottawa’s radio show All in a Day for 3 years. Harewood joined Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication in 2021, where he created the school’s first-ever course focused on race, a graduate seminar called Journalism, Race and Diversity. He also created the first course in Canada devoted to the study of the History of Black Canadian Journalism.

Tenant Rights Council - Municipal Housing Campaign Launch
2023-06-17 16:00 - 18:00 | Centretown United Church, 507 Bank St, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1Z5, Canada
Worried about high rent? Sick of slumlords? Want to fight back against the destruction of affordable housing?
JOIN US at the Tenant Rights Council for the launch of Ottawa ACORN’s updated municipal housing campaign!
We have made great progress in past years with housing demands, but landlords and developers are still pushing back. While costs of living continue to rise and developers keep demolishing affordable housing, it is becoming clear: the fight is far from over.
The overwhelming majority of city councilors are homeowners, and yet they are the ones making decisions on issues impacting tenants. However, renters deserve to be heard and have their concerns addressed! That’s why we are organizing the Tenant Rights Council, an event run by and for Ottawa renters based on ACORN members’ most urgent priorities from across the city.
Come take action with your neighbours on June 17th to cast your vote at the Tenant Rights Council and help Ottawa achieve as much positive change as we can!

Amnesty International Monthly Community Activist Meeting
2023-06-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Amnesty International Ottawa Office, 312 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 1H9, Canada
We are a global movement of over 7 million people working together to protect and promote human rights. Join the Ottawa-Gatineau community group and help us build a world where everyone lives in dignity. Members from all local AI groups (AI 56, AI Francophone, AI UOttawa, fieldworkers, AI HQ staff) and members of the general public are invited to attend a monthly community gathering to plan and organize activism campaigns in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
If you would like to join virtually, please email amnestyottawagatineau@gmail.com

Drown out hate! Defend trans kids
2023-06-09 10:00 - 15:30 | Broadview and Wellesley, Broadview and Wellesley, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate group Save Canada has partnered with celebrity anti-trans activist “Billboard Chris” Elston for a rally and march in front of our schools on June 9th. They plan to meet at Broadview and Carling at 11:00 am, and then march up Broadview to spread anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate in front of three schools on Broadview (Notre Dame High School, Broadview Public School, and Nepean High School).
“Billboard Chris” is a notorious anti-trans activist who travels around North America to spread hate and instigate conflict at queer events, and who participated in the convoy occupation of Ottawa. Save Canada are a Diagolon-affiliated far-right youth group which has marched with neo-Nazis outside of schools and drag storytime events across Ontario. Their main spokesperson, Josh Alexander, is a high school student from Renfrew who was expelled for bullying transgender students.
Fortunately, we have a secret weapon – the power of community. In 2021, Billboard Chris was chased out of town by 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and allies. This past February, Save Canada partnered with our local far right and convoy remnants to shut down a drag storytime event at the National Arts Centre, where they failed miserably as 300 community members showed up to protect the event.
While we can not be complacent, Ottawa has learned over the past two years that if we mobilize effectively, we can defeat the far right. As such, we are supporting local parents and community members in their plans to oppose these far-right anti-2SLGBTQIA+ instigators. Show up early, and bring signs, flags, banners, and noisemakers to drown out their hate.
Drown out hate! Defend trans kids!
June 9th, 10:00 am
Broadview and Wellesley
(one block north of Carling)
IMPORTANT: The main tactics of Save Canada and Billboard Chris are to provoke conflict and get physically aggressive with counter-protesters, then portray themselves as the victims in an effort to either raise their profile and create content or attempt to get counter-protesters arrested. They also may attempt to doxx and harass those who oppose their hateful agenda.
By taking some precautions, we can keep each other safe while facing down far right instigators.

Do not give interviews to far right media outlets or “independent journalists”
Don’t debate far-right trolls. Drown them out with chants and noise! Especially if they are filming or livestreaming and looking for content.
Do not film supporters without their permission, and do not livestream. Do film the far right, fake journalists, and the police in order to protect yourself and your friends.
Protect your identity. Mask up, and use signs, flags, umbrellas, etc., to protect yourself from being photographed by far right activists or fake news outlets.
Do not talk to the police
Maintain situational awareness, and watch each others’ backs
Try to arrive and leave as a group
Check the weather, drive safely and dress appropriately! Give yourself plenty of time to arrive!

For more information on how to keep yourself and your friends safe, visit the Safety Plan section of our website.
For more information, or if you would like to support and help out with this action, contact the main organizers at broadviewlove@gmail.com or contact us at communitysolidarityottawa@gmail.com

RENEWABLE POWER FOR ALL – Rally!
2023-06-05 12:00 - 13:30 | Parliament Hill, Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A9, Canada
Join us at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 5th, 12pm ET, to hear from powerful movement leaders, help us deliver the names of tens of thousands of people across the country who want this government to unleash the renewable energy revolution. Bring your own visuals, and take in beautiful movement art that brings to life our vision of a future beyond fossil fuels.
Here’s the speakers list so far:

Stephen Thomas, Clean Energy Manager, David Suzuki Foundation
Dara Wawatie-Chabot, Just Transition Researcher, Iron & Earth from Algonquin Nation
Olivia Onuk – spoken word artist from Art for Climate Justice
Dylan Trebels, Founding Member of Electrify 613

The David Suzuki Foundation is joining forces with Atlantic Canada’s Ecology Action Center, Electrify 613, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Climate Justice Ottawa, Environmental Defence, 350 Canada, CUPE/ Green Economy Network and other organizations and grassroots allies. Be there with us to fight for the future our communities deserve.
POSTERS

RENEWABLE, AFFORDABLE AND SECURE POWER FOR ALL
INDIGENOUS-OWNED RENEWABLES NOW
COMMUNITY-LED RENEWABLES NOW
NO GAS ON THE GRID
RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR OUR HEALTH

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⚡ÉNERGIE RENOUVELABLE POUR TOUS.TES⚡ Un rallye supportant 100% d’électricité propre d’ici 2035.
Rejoignez-nous sur la Colline parlementaire à Ottawa le 5 juin de 12h00 à 13h30, afin d’entendre les puissant.e.s leaders du mouvement, admirer les magnifiques œuvres d’art du mouvement qui donnent vie à notre vision d’un avenir sans combustible fossile, et pour nous aider à transmettre les noms des dizaines de milliers de personnes à travers le pays qui veulent que notre gouvernement libère le pouvoir d’une électricité 100% renouvelable, abordable et fiable d’ici 2035.
Parmi les intervenant.e.s, notons :

Stephen Thomas, responsable de l’électricité propre à la Fondation David Suzuki
Dara Wawatie Chabot, jeune membre de la nation algonquine, Iron & Earth
Olivia Onuk, organisatrice communautaire et artiste de Art for Climate Justice
Dylan Trebels, conseiller en énergie et cofondateur d’Electrify 613
D’autres intervenant.e.s seront annoncé.e.s prochainement!

La Fondation David Suzuki s’associe à l’Atlantic Canada’s Ecology Action Centre, au New Brunswick Environmental Network, à Electrify 613, à l’Association canadienne des médecins pour l’environnement, à Environmental Defence, à 350 Canada, à Iron & Earth, au Green Economy Network, à Leadnow, au Conseil des Canadiens, à For Our Kids Ottawa/Gatineau, ainsi qu’à d’autres organisations et allié.e.s. Soyez des nôtres pour agir en faveur d’un avenir sans combustible fossile!
POSTERS

UNE ÉNERGIE ABORDABLE POUR TOUS.TES
UNE ÉNERGIE SÉCURITAIRE POUR TOUS.TES
UNE ÉNERGIE RENOUVELABLE DÉTENUE PAR LES COMMUNAUTÉS AUTOCHTONES MAINTENANT
UNE ÉNERGIE RENOUVELABLE GÉRÉE PAR LA COMMUNAUTÉ MAINTENANT
PAS DE GAZ DANS LE RÉSEAU
UNE ÉNERGIE RENOUVELABLE POUR NOTRE SANTÉ

Enough is Enough Province-wide day of action
2023-06-03 12:00 - 17:00 | Major’s Hill Park, Mackenzie Ave, Ottawa, K1N 6Z4
Major’s Hill Park at noon for a short rally then march.

Our goal is to build community opposition to policies and priorities of governments that attack workers, undercut public health and education, and trap people in poverty without the wages and supports they need to buy food and meet basic needs, all while aiding and abetting sky-rocketing rents and housing costs, and failing to tax corporate profits.
In Ottawa, we’re planning a family-friendly event, with music, speakers, tables sponsored by community groups and unions, and a children’s play area. As well, we’ll be marching though Byward Market, drawing attention to our concerns and demands, and encouraging local residents to join our movement.

Over 20 other events will be held across Ontario on June 3. RSVP here: Enough Is Enough!

Contact: ottawa@justice4workers.org or odlc@ottawalabour.org

STOP CANSEC
2023-05-31 07:00 | EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
CANSEC is North America’s largest arms fair.
The presenters and exhibitors list doubles as a Rolodex of the world’s worst corporate criminals. From Ukraine to Yemen, from Palestine to Colombia, from Somalia to Syria, from Afghanistan and Haiti to Ethiopia and Libya, no one profits more from war and bloodshed than the companies and individuals at CANSEC.
It’s time to show up in force to oppose CANSEC and the profiteering from war and violence it is designed to support.
The world is run (and ravaged) by people who wake up early. On May 31st we need to wake up earlier than them to beat them to their fair. Join us at the convention bright and early as it begins to ensure everyone showing up knows they are NOT welcome in Ottawa or to continue their deadly business as usual.
ALL OUT for a protest on May 31 2023 starting at 7:00am at the EY Centre (4899 Uplands Drive by the airport) in Ottawa.
Exhibitors this year include:

Elbit Systems – supplies 85% of drones used by the Israeli military to monitor and attack Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and infamously the bullet used to murder Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada – makes the billions of dollars of Light Armoured Vehicles (tanks) Canada exports to Saudi Arabia
L3Harris Technologies – now bidding to sell armed drones to Canada to drop bombs overseas and surveil Canadian protests
Lockheed Martin – by far the largest weapons producer in the world, they brag about arming over 50 countries, including many of the most oppressive governments and dictatorships
Colt Canada – sells guns to the RCMP, including C-IRG, the militarized RCMP unit terrorizing Indigenous land defenders in service of oil and logging companies.

More info here: https://worldbeyondwar.org/cansec
This protest is happening on unceded Algonquin territory. It is hosted by the No CANSEC coalition.

Reimagining Safety, Advancing Visions for a Decarceral City: Dispatches from Community Organizers
2023-03-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Ontario
Amid global calls to defund the police following the murder of George Floyd by officers in Minneapolis, continued efforts to work towards diversion and decarceration from prisons, and on-going concerns stemming from the expansion of state and corporate surveillance, there continues to be a push to expand these and other forms of carcerality in the city of Ottawa located on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Territory. This is most evident in the year-over-year budget increases for the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), gentrification and the increased presence of police under the guise of “neighbourhood resource teams” in communities where poverty, homelessness and precarious housing are a common experience, the carceralization of public space through increases in surveillance and so-called security personnel from transit stations to sidewalks abutting sites of mass capitalist accumulation like the Rideau Centre, and the provincial government’s push to build more prison spaces in the region that will forcibly displace people pushed to the margins from the city to a proposed site of human caging in Kemtpville, as well as planned expansions to existing facilities in Brockville and Napanee. However, carcerality in the form of surveillance, coercion, control, displacement and even containment is not always fixed to particular spaces, but is also mobile, appearing in contexts often associated with care such schools, shelters, hospitals, harm reduction sites, treatment centres, and the like where being perceived to be out of place or engaging in behaviour deemed problematic can also lead to exclusion in the Carceral City in ways that diminish our collective well-being and safety.

This event, in the form of dispatches from community organizers, aims to make visible how carcerality is at work, as well as how safety is being reimagined and practiced outside of carceral frameworks in Ottawa. This intervention stems from a research project called “Resistance and Advocacy in the Carceral City” funded by an Insight Development Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada involving members of the University of Ottawa’s Carceral Studies Research Collective and community members involved in police, prison, penal and/or carceral abolitionist organizing in the city.

Film Screening: Cal Best: Sa Vie (Cal Best: His Life)
2023-03-29 16:30 - 18:30 | St. Paul Amphitheatre, 233 Main Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S1C4, Canada
The Workers’ History Museum and the Social Innovation Atelier invite you to the screening of the documentary Cal Best: His Life (Cal Best: Sa vie), about the journey of James Calbert Best, a prominent figure in Black history in the 20th century.
Following the film there will be a panel discussion with Blaise Ndala (writer in residence at Saint Paul University), Diana Mbonga (President of the Saint Paul Students Association), Claude Andrea Bonny (Journalist) and Arthur Carkner (Producer). Professors Leslie Toure Kapo and Christopher Gunter will moderate the discussion.
About the Film:
Cal Best, from New Glasgow, NS, co-founded PSAC and was a union leader who fought for the right to have better collective bargaining in the federal government. He went on to become a senior government official and Canada’s first Black High Commissions. A man who changed the world for the better!
Admission is free and refreshments will be available.
Note that the film is in French.

Ottawa ACORN Day of Action Against Developers!
2023-03-29 12:00 - 14:00 | Minto Park, 315 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Minto Park, Elgin/Gilmour St.
Hosted by ACORN
The PC Party received $250,000 in donations from major developers in Ontario and consistently passes legislation that puts developer profits over tenants’ right to housing – JOIN ACORN TO FIGHT BACK!
The same developers that are funding the Doug Ford government are actively lobbying for and benefiting from Ford’s policies that destroy affordable housing (more details below). Join your local ACORN office on March 29th in taking action against local developers:
Ottawa – 12PM meeting at Minto Park (Elgin/Gilmour St) before marching to the Taggart office. Taggart has donated $30,000+ to the PC Party and was responsible for the demovictions at 142 Nepean St.
Brampton – 2PM meeting outside City Hall at 2 Wellington St W, and then marching to the Pulis Office. Pulis recently bought an apartment building with the goal of mass evicting tenants & demolishing their homes.
London – 1PM meeting outside 1154 Adelaide St. N. Members will be doing outreach on the impact of Ford’s Rent Control Loopholes and Bill 23 while highlighting local predatory developers.
Toronto – 2:45PM meeting at Cafe Landwer (165 University Ave). Members will be going to a developer’s office whose new development site has no proposed affordable housing.
Hamilton – 12PM at Gore Park. Members will be doing outreach on the devastating impacts of Bill 23.
MORE INFO ON FORD’S PRO-DEVELOPER PROFITS & ANTI-TENANT POLICIES:
Since becoming Premier in 2018 and being re-elected in 2022, Doug Ford has:

Removed rent control on all buildings built after Nov 15th, 2018
Removed development charges that developers pay to municipalities to fund essential municipal services like roads, sewers and public transit
Weakened an affordable housing policy called ‘inclusionary zoning’ to only 5% affordable housing in new developments near public transit for only 20 years
Changed the definition of affordable housing to 80% of average market rent which is not affordable!
Threatens to take away the power for cities to require developers to replace the affordable housing they demolish for condos & luxury rentals
AND MORE!

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/242120718245487

Show up for Trans Kids!
2023-03-28 18:30 | OCDSB Head Office, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
OCDSB head office, 133 Greenbank Road
Call for support from Community Solidarity Ottawa
In recent weeks, we have seen a number of anti-trans activists attend and school board meetings across Ontario in order to spread fear and hatred towards trans youth, including at the OCDSB.
Multiple anti-2SLGBTQIA+ figures have announced their plans to speak and disrupt at the upcoming OCDSB meetings on March 28 and April 4, where they will surely take the opportunity to grandstand and spread transphobic speech.
We’ve seen what happens when anti-trans hate is allowed to flourish. As such, we also plan to be there to show support for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and show that we won’t tolerate anti-trans hate in our community.
We are encouraging members of the community to come to these meetings in person to show support for trans and gender diverse students.
We are encouraging those who attend to show up early, to take up as much space in the meeting room as possible, and to wear either pink, or apparel that shows your support for 2SLGBTQIA+ students. If you don’t have any pink in your wardrobe, we will be providing pink scarves and bandannas that you can wear.
Additionally, if you would like to speak out against anti-trans hate and in support of policies that affirm and support trans and gender diverse students, you can request to speak at these meetings by filling out this form.
More info: https://www.communitysolidarityottawa.ca/events/show-up-for-trans-kids

Sample event
2023-03-28 10:00 - 12:00 | McNabb Community Centre, 180 Percy Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6E5, Canada
This is an exciting upcoming sample event!
