News & Updates

Long term care without a long term plan: aging population’s demand going unmet

Most Canadian provincial governments lack multi-year capital plans to build long term care and no province with a plan is sufficient to meet the expected demands for long term care caused by an aging population, according to our analysis of provincial documents.

Many provincial ministries of health or long term care have developed strategic plans that acknowledge the coming bulge in Canada’s senior population. Many are orienting themselves to a goal of “age in place.” However, no provincial strategy document shows how much such a re-orientation can reduce the demand for long term care beds. “Age in place” appears as more of a hope than a plan. 

Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace: Final Report

Research to Reality: Improving mental health though workplace change and access to unions

Summary

Our findings: workplace change can improve mental health and unions can help
One in three Canadians’ work regularly leaves them mentally hurt and struggling to find work-life balance, but a union can help mental health and well-being, according to our research Our survey with Abacus Research confirms what a lot of us, our friends or a family member are experiencing.

Fall Newsletter: Marshall Ganz in Toronto

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Ottawa

The past two months have been an exciting time here at the DCLF going from coast to coast promoting social democracy with our annual lecture series with stops in Halifax and Victoria. Plus, a book launch in our Ottawa office, and promoting our work with a membership drive at the NDP Federal Convention this past weekend. 

But it doesn’t stop there. Looking forward, we have two major events next month including the David Lewis Lecture on November 1st at the University of Toronto with Havard Professor and the architect of Barack Obama’s field campaign Marshall Ganz, as well as our marquee fundraising event in Ottawa on November 22nd; The Mouseland Gala.

Mid-Summer Newsletter: Welcome Canadian Teachers' Federation!

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Ottawa

We hope you are all soaking up the sun as we are now in the heart of summer. Despite the temptations of beautiful weather it’s been another productive couple months for us as we get ready for all the exciting events we have lined up for you the rest of the year.

It’s also been a busier than usual few weeks in the office for our staff. Just last month they attended the Canadian Forum on Public Education hosted by the Canadian Teachers Federation, published the first phase of our research on Seniors Care and Long Term Care, and sent out a special mailing to all of our donors and strongest supporters on the healthcare crisis facing Candians. Plus, they’ve been organizing a number of special initiatives that you can enjoy both in-person and virtually including the Layton Legacy Awards, and a brand new Podcast series! 

Please read on to hear about all the exciting things we’ve got going on this summer to advance social democracy in Canada.

Health Care in Crisis: Finding Solutions for Seniors Care & Long Term Care

In this discovery phase of our research on Seniors Care and Long Term Care we explore the crisis that exists today for aging Canadians and delve into the issues and challenges facing our country in the future. This first phase of our research allows us to determine what information exists today, what is missing, and helps guide the next phase of our research work.

Our growing senior population: are we prepared to care?

By Tom Parkin

 

Low birthrates and longer life expectancies have dramatically increased the average age of people in Canada, but it’s already clear Canadians do not have the retirement income or care support for this growing population.

June Newsletter: Congratulations to Olivia Chow!

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Ottawa

From all of us at Tommy’s charity; we hope you are having a nice start to your summer. We just wrapped up our Annual General Meeting which was a success and we have a ton of exciting news and events to look forward to.

 

May Newsletter: The Annual General Meeting!

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Ottawa

 

As we wrap up our busy spring season here at Tommy’s charity, there’s lots to look forward to this summer including; our Annual General Meeting, Women’s Leadership Showcase interviews, the Jack Layton Awards Ceremony, new online training modules, and our ongoing research on the healthcare crisis in Canada with a focus on Seniors Care and Long Term Care. Please read until the end for all the details!

April Newsletter; Solidarity is in the air!

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Ottawa

Happy Spring from all of us here at Tommy Douglas’ charity. We hope you are enjoying some of the hints of warmer weather we are starting to see across the country. This month we will highlight the Women’s Leadership Showcase interview with Audrey McLaughlin, our Community Leadership Training focused on social housing, and how the DCLF is standing in solidarity with PSAC members fighting for a better deal. 

March Newsletter 2023

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Ottawa

We have had a very fast-paced exciting March, talking to people across the country from all walks of life about social democracy as part of our Lecture Series and at the Broadbent Institute’s Progress Summit discussing our latest research publication on Mental Health. 

 

Then and Now: The Amazing Griers

By Robin V. Sears

“Then and Now: The Amazing Griers” is a lovely tribute to Terry and Ruth Grier penned by their good friend Robin V. Sears

February Newsletter 2023

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Ottawa

Things are ramping up here at the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation for Social Democracy as we finalize the details of the events we have in store for you. Please read on to get the scoop on all our upcoming events and activities.

January Newsletter; Thank you!

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Ottawa

We hope you had a restful holiday season and are excited for the year ahead. We’ve got lots of good news to share with you this month.

Let’s start with a well deserved thank you. Thank you to those who supported us last year and helped us advance social democracy! You are carrying on our founder's legacy which is so meaningful to us. You allow us to imagine and strive for a better Canada where no one is left behind, which leaves us feeling very grateful here at the foundation. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors we say thank you for keeping Tommy’s dream alive.

Of note; to members and donors; your charitable tax receipts will be issued in the coming weeks with a hand signed thank you letter from our Executive Director.

December Newsletter 2022

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Ottawa

Our 2023 Plans Revealed! 

It’s been a wonderful year and we have much to celebrate here at the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation for Social Democracy. Please read this email thoroughly to ensure you don’t miss out on any of our exciting announcements.

Over the past year we have grown immensely as a foundation this year thanks to your support allowing us to launch the Alexa McDonough Women’s Leadership Centre, publish research on mental health in the workplace, host world class events, and create new scholarships and awards. We have a lot of momentum heading into 2023!

A note from author Beryl Young

 

I’m the author of the new book A Boy Named Tommy Douglas. I’m a senior citizen and have known about Tommy Douglas all my life, but it came as a great surprise to learn that there are no books for children to tell the little-known story that inspired his adult achievement of Medicare for Canada.

November Newsletter

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Ottawa

What an exciting few weeks we've had here at the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation for Social Democracy!

There's a ton of great content this month and we hope you find our newsletter uplifting and inspirational.

Let's start with our biggest event of the year.