The Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation provides support for eight annual scholarships at various colleges and universities in Canada.
Applications for these scholarships are to be submitted to the respective college or university. For more information, please click on the links below.
Name: The Tommy Douglas Graduate Scholarship
Description: Application should be accompanied by a detailed research proposal.
Area(s) of Study: English, History, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology and Social Studies
Value: $5,000
Eligibility: Must be a fully-qualified graduate student preparing a thesis on a topic involving some aspect of Canadian social theory or history.
Student Status: Full-time
Applications: Apply at the Faculty of Graduate Studies using a Titled Scholarship application form and research proposal.
Address: University of Regina, Graduate Studies and Research
Deadline: October 31
Kalmen Kaplansky Scholarship in Economic and Social Rights
Scholarship: Kalmen Kaplansky Scholarship in Economic and Social Rights
Description: This scholarship was established in 1998 by the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation in honour of the lifetime achievement of Dr. Kalmen Kaplansky, labour and human rights advocate, in the field of economic and social rights. Awarded annually to a graduate student researching economic and social rights in a School or Department in the Faculty of Public Affairs and Management at Carleton University, the scholarship is valued at $1,000. A detailed letter of application for the award should be made by February 1 to the Dean of Public Affairs and Management, who will select the recipient on the advice of a three-person faculty advisory committee.
Value: $1,000
Deadlines: February 1
Category: Internal
Eligibility: Faculty of Public Affairs and Management
Criteria: Research must involve economic and social rights. Applications submitted to the Dean of PAM.
Selection: Dean, Faculty of Public Affairs and Management
Contact: Academic Unit
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Agency/Organization: Carleton University
Business Address: 1125 Colonel By Drive
City: Ottawa
Province: Ontario
Country: Canada
Phone Number: (613) 520-2525
Fax Number: (613) 520 4049
Remembering Kalmen Kaplansky, human rights advocate
Kalmen Kaplansky, who died on International Human Rights Day (Dec 10, 1997), was a tireless and effective fighter for the protection of human rights since the early 1940s.
Awarded the Order of Canada for his work, he is credited with laying the ground work for the Ontario Fair Employment Practices Act in 1951 - used as a model for virtually all provincial and federal codes that followed - the Ontario Fair Accommodations Act in 1954 and, ultimately, the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Until his passing, he served as President of the Douglas-Coldwell Foundation, which promoates education and research into social democracy.
"Kaplansky's life and work is a reminder to us all that social advance is born in agitation; that agitators are often the fathers and mothers of the things Canadians most cherish - our rights and freedoms. Kalman Kaplansky made an incredible difference during his lifetime,'' said CLC President Bob White.
Howard Hampton got to know Kaplansky during his days at the University of Ottawa and then at the Canadian Labour Congress. "He was an absolute defender of the labour movement and human rights, especially international human rights," recalls Hampton.
Beverlee Bell Scholarship in Human Rights and Democracy
Scholarship: Beverlee Bell Scholarship in Human Rights and Democracy
Description: This scholarship, valued at $1,000, is awarded annually to a graduate student who is making a significant contribution to human rights and democracy in developing countries. Established in 2002 to honour the memory of NDP activist Beverlee Bell, by her family and the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation. The recipient is chosen by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
Value: $1,000
Deadlines: January (please check Carleton University site for exact date)
Category: Internal
Eligibility: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Public Affairs and Management
Criteria: Graduate student making significant contribution to human rights and democracy in developing countries.
Selection: Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
Contact: Academic department
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Agency/Organization: Carleton University
Business Address: 1125 Colonel By Drive
City: Ottawa
Province: Ontario
Country: Canada
Phone Number: (613) 520-2525
Fax Number: (613) 520 4049
DONATE TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP THROUGH CANADAHELPS.ORG
Beverlee Anne Bell
1950-2001
Beverlee Anne Bell was born on August 23, 1950 in Montreal to proud parents Jean Watson and Clifford Bell.
Beverlee moved to Ottawa in 1983 and became very active in the peace movement and worked for the Peace Petition Caravan. Eventually, she became involved in the NDP.
During her time with the NDP, Beverlee worked for Cid Samson, Michael Cassidy and Evelyn Gigantes. She worked at NDP headquarters as Tour Coordinator for Alexa McDonough and then became Director of Administration for the NDP Caucus. Beverlee had worked on many campaigns across the country, making an impression on everyone she worked with and forging lasting friendships. Beverlee loved a campaign.
Through her life, Beverlee approached things with incredible optimism, tenacity and spirit.
We are all richer for knowing her.
David Lewis Memorial Prize in Canadian Politics
David Lewis' life as a barrister and Parliamentarian made a lasting contribution to Canadian Politics particularly through his work with the CCF and later the NDP. In his memory, this scholarship was established by the Ontario Woodsworth Memorial Foundation and is currently being funded by the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation. It is awarded to the Woodsworth College student who achieves the highest standing in a 100 level Canadian Politics course.
Web site: http://www.wdw.utoronto.ca/
David Lewis
David Lewis succeeded Tommy Douglas as leader of the New Democratic Party in 1971.
As a child, Lewis lived through the German invasion of Russia in the First World War and through the Russian Revolution. In 1921 his family moved to Montreal.
Lewis attended McGill and won a Rhodes scholarship to attend Oxford where he established contacts with members of the British Labour Party.
Returning to Canada, Lewis practised law in Ottawa and in 1936 became National Secretary for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. During these years he also became a key CCF theorist. Efforts to gain election to Parliament in 1940, 1943, 1945 and 1949 were unsuccessful.
In the 1950s, Lewis practised labour law, held a variety of executive positions in the CCF. He consistently worked to rid the labour movement of communist infiltration and to forge a link between the Canadian social democratic and the labour movements. Through his efforts, the primarily western farm-based CCF was transformed into the more urban and successful New Democratic Party.
Lewis ran for Parliament in York South in 1962, 1963, 1965, 1968, 1972 and 1974, losing only in 1963 and 1974. He quickly became one of Parliament's most skilled debaters and served in a variety of the Party's executive posts culminating in his election as leader at the 1971 NDP Convention.
Campaigning against "corporate welfare bums", Lewis achieved his greatest political prominence in 1972 when New Democrats held the balance of power during the Liberal minority government of 1972-1974. Parliament introduced a national affordable housing strategy, a new Elections Expenses Act, pension indexing and created Petro-Canada and the Foreign Investment Review Agency, because of NDP support.
Following his defeat in the 1974 federal election, Lewis stepped down as leader but remained active in the Party until his death in 1981.
University of Toronto's Woodsworth CollegeOntario Woodsworth Memorial Foundation Scholarship
Originally established in 1978 by the Ontario Woodsworth Memorial Foundation, this award is currently being funded by the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation. Recipients of this scholarship are recognized for their outstanding academic record and service to Woodsworth College.
J.S. Woodsworth
Anne Marie Hill Scholarship
Anne Marie Hill was an accomplished writer, editor, an effective political and labour organizer and feminist. The Ontario Woodsworth Memorial Foundation established this scholarship in her memory. The award is currently funded by the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation. First awarded in 1983, this scholarship acknowledges high achievement by a student registered in the Human Resource Management Program who has completed at least 3 full course equivalents.
Name: The Jack Layton Prize for a Better Canada
Description: This prize of $5000, launched on the 10th anniversary of Jack Layton’s passing, is designed to encourage emerging McGill scholars to engage—with similar hope, optimism and passion—in the leading issues of our times. The prize is supported by a donation from Jack Layton’s widow, Olivia Chow.
Jack Layton had abiding passions—for the urgent need for action on climate change; for an end to violence against women; for economic and social equality; for good, affordable and liveable cities; and for an end to homelessness. Layton witnessed homeless people freezing to death on Canada’s winter streets, and that filled him with rage. He worked across party lines to try to do something about it, with some success—which filled him with hope. He was successful in his political career, leading the NDP to official opposition status in the 2011 federal election. He was, alas, not successful in his battle with the cancer that then took his life—leaving much still to be done. In a memorable final letter, Layton urged young people to carry on.
Area(s) of Study: Must be a full-time student at McGill University
Value: $5,000
Eligibility: Must be a full-time student at McGill University; an essay submission is required
Student Status: Full-time
Applications: Apply at the Max Bell School of Public Policy
The Ian Reid Scholarship will be awarded annually to students committed to working in politics to promote the values and goals of social democracy. It is intended specifically for those pursuing careers in political research, strategy and communications.
The scholarship has been established in collaboration with the NOW Group and Paul Degenstein upon his retirement as a NOW partner. It celebrates Paul’s late husband, Ian Reid, and the contribution Ian made in making life better for Canadians.
The scholarship also recognizes the role of 2SLGBTQ+ people in the social democratic movement. And it seeks to encourage greater racial, cultural, economic and gender inclusion around the decision-making table – to create public policy that better meets the needs and aspirations of everyone.
The Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation for Social Democracy is proud to have been chosen by Ian's dearest friends and family to be the home for this scholarship in his memory. If you would like to make a contribution in memory of Ian Reid please use this link:
www.douglascoldwelllayton.ca/the_ian_reid_scholarship_fund
All donations in memory of Ian Reid will be used exclusively for the purpose of this scholarship.
About Ian Reid
Ian Reid spent his political career supporting and advising social democratic leaders and the New Democratic party. Ian believed in the necessity of political work and the potential of social democracy as a force for good. He believed that listening and learning from people was the starting point in making positive change. He was a passionate advocate for using research as an instrument to do that and to develop messages that speak to people’s hearts and minds. His goal was to elect progressive governments and put in place policies that make a difference in people’s lives.
For many years, Ian was the Head of Opinion Research for the NDP government in British Columbia. In that role and others, he was one of Canada’s most brilliant research experts. He was able to cut through the noise, identify trends, and draw insights from what he heard. He made research useable for campaigners, communicators, and policy-makers – so that we could better connect with our audiences,
speak to their aspirations, shape policy and meet their needs.
As a political researcher, Ian was also a pioneer. He humanized the demographic groupings in polling. Long before it became a standard practice, he had campaigns put names and faces to people within those groupings, discuss the daily challenges those diverse individuals face, to strengthen our understanding of where they’re coming from and what they’re looking for.
Ian continued his work through 12 years of a terminal illness, serving at the end of his career as Carole James’ Chief of Staff. He died in 2014 at age 58. His three children – Jordan, Shamus, and Alexis – carry forward his work in politics, advocacy and government.
APPLICATION: OPEN NOW, DUE JULY 1st
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Much thanks to the NOW Group for initiating and supporting the Ian Reid Scholarship. For over 30 years, NOW has been working with governments, unions, non-profits and advocacy organizations to win victories for workers, strengthen public services and promote positive change. In his work as a Partner and Chief Creative Officer at NOW, Paul Degenstein guided the creative team through more than 20 provincial and federal election campaigns, including 8 NDP victories. A popular debate coach, Paul supported national and provincial leaders across the country. We thank Paul for his help in honouring his late husband and the NOW Group for their support.
