The Douglas-Coldwell Foundation wishes to add its voice to those protesting around the world against racism and social injustice.
Systematic racism is one of the most persistent forms of injustice and inequality in our society. The killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers has been met with a wave of demonstrations in the United States, in Canada and around the world. People have been expressing their outrage, pain and anger, not only at what happened to George Floyd, but also at decades of racism targeting Black people, Indigenous people and other racialized people.
In too many cases, a heavy-handed response from police and governmental authorities against peaceful protests have resulted in significant injuries to many demonstrators, journalists reporting on the events, homeless people and other innocent by-standers.
But while we watch in horror at what is happening south of the border, we cannot ignore Canada’s own systemic racism. The deaths of Regis Korchinski-Paquet and Chantel Moore, and too many others before them, highlight the urgent need to reform policing practices and the criminal justice system as a whole. There has to be a better way.
In communities across Canada, anti-Black racism, racism against Indigenous Peoples, anti-Asian racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of discrimination remain a reality. The over-representation of racialized workers in precarious employment; racial profiling and carding practices; the discrimination in hiring and promotion and the skewed demographics in Canada’s prisons are all proof that we have much more work to do.
Together, we must push for immediate action against racism and inequality. Each and every one of us has a role to play in our communities, in our workplaces and in organizations we are involved with.
In 1947, the Saskatchewan CCF government led by DCF founder Tommy Douglas, received the unanimous support of the legislature for the adoption of the Saskatchewan Bill of Rights. The first legislation of its kind, it stated that, regardless of race, colour, creed, religion or nationality, it was the right of every person to engage in any occupation or enterprise; be a member of any professional or trade association; rent or purchase any property; receive education in schools and universities, and be given service in public places such as restaurants and hotels.
We have come a long way in the past 73 years. But the recent tragic events are reminding us that we still have a long way to go. Ending systemic discrimination and racism must be our ultimate objective as a society.
Courage, my friends; 'tis not too late to build a better world.
Blog Post
Ottawa
Today is International Women’s Day; a day which I am truly thankful for all the women who have worked tirelessly, past and present, towards a more equitable world where all voices are heard. I take this day to reflect on the women that came before me and the work that we have to continue to do in their honour.
Blog Post
Ottawa
As promised we’ve got lots of news to share with you this month. The Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation had a banner year in 2023. We produced more special events, original content, research projects, and educational materials than ever before!
This year we’re building from that success. You’ll see us in more places with more exciting programs for you to participate in throughout the year. All of this growth is thanks to our supporters like you.
We hope you enjoy our update this month.
Blog Post
Ottawa
We hope you have had a good start to the year. We’ve got lots of important information and event announcements to share with you this month.
Thank you to those who supported us last year with a donation and helped us advance social democracy! You allow us to continue the important work we do, being the only charity in Canada to promote social democracy and carry on our founders' legacies. With your support we were able to create new research, establish an annual lecture series, new scholarships, new training for activists, and an interview series with social democrat leaders. And, this year we have even more content to deliver and special event plans to share with you.
Your charitable tax receipts are on the way!
