Aug
22
2019
2019 City of Kitchener Residential Bylaw Review incited a multifaceted conversation at the Disabilities and Human Rights Group. It revealed some of the current experiences and future expectations that persons with disabilities have amidst the development and intensification in Waterloo Region. The core issues are enforcement of the Building Code, AODA compliance, protection of the human rights and creation of affordable and accessible housing. Read the notes from the meeting and tell us what you would add to it.
New series of roundtable, participatory discussions presented together with the Marit Collective starts August 13th 7-9pm. It will explore how we can have discussions across social barriers, find common ground with all our differences. Have we checked recently how many interactions or friends we have with people who are from another social, economic, cultural, political or faith orientation? How big a deal class plays in our choices? Once we understand that there is no Truth with a capital T in this complex and politicized world, how do we come to terms with the fundamental human issues such as health, climate, housing, work...? Where do we go beyond mostly polarized conversations that divide rather than unify to find the common in our communities? Check the 
Until we ensure housing supply for the marginalized, displaced and excluded, the homeless, those at risk of homelessness living under prolonged stress and fear of displacement, immigrants, refugees, low wage earners, youth and seniors, our mantra will remain: "Housing is first and foremost a human right for the majority". It is not an investment, not a savings account, not an economic development or profit making tool for a some. See the new fact sheet from the 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, JUNE 25, 6 PM to 7:30 PM 
Have tenants' voices been lost? Who is paying the price? At the annual meeting on June 18, 6:30pm at St John Church, tenants can learn more about the RENT association, about tenant organizing in general, and what supports and resources we can rely on. Before you come, you can read the 
Natural disasters, such as floods and fires, hitting communities far and near have been featuring prominently in the media as we talk more about the climate crisis. What, as neighbourhoods, can we do to be more resilient in the case we are hit by such an event? Trust among the neighbours is the not-so-secret ingredient. "It is extremely important that you get to know your neighbours beforehand, so that you know who is elderly, who has young children, pets, may have a disability." Steve LaRochelle, Emergency Management, City of Kitchener (
Our tax clinic team completed 420 returns this March and April, and processed 2016 and 2017 returns which was offered only by a few clinics. Extraordinary accomplishment by 8 extraordinary volunteers working evenings and weekends for 8 weeks. The volunteers also responded to over 100 T1 adjustments, assessment notices & inquires, including CPP applications, and electricity bill relief. There are many ways in which we can improve the process for the next tax season internally and we hope to provide valuable feedback together with other tax clinics in the region towards greater supports to the volunteer run clinics from the federal government in the future. 
The community will have a chance to continue Exploring Life in the Margins conversations. 'Viewpoints on Poverty' is an inclusive evening for discussion and discovery on the theme of nonviolence and poverty elimination. Join us together with 
