Campaign 2000 with the 25in5Network for Poverty Reduction and Family Service Toronto hosted a Community Town Hall Meeting on June 1st in Toronto to coincide with the hearings held here by the federal HUMA Committee. We had a fantastic turn-out (at least 140 people) and wonderful presentations from at least 35 people and groups.  Presenters, your honesty and willingness to "tell it like it is" was very effective.  Panelists, you did a great job summarizing the key themes being heard and reiterated over and over Monday evening!  To read the Toronto Star's article on the event, here's the weblink: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/644587

Monday, May 11th, 2009 

As part of a federal initiative to reduce poverty in Canada, Halifax was home to the first round of talks bringing together members of Parliament and local non-profits. Since the event was open to the public, I figured it was a good opportunity to hear from local non-profits who are fighting poverty every day.

On Sunday, May 10th, the Make Poverty History Halifax group hosted a public forum on Poverty in Canada at The Hub Halifax. It was Sunday, Mother's Day, and one of those wind-blown spring evenings that remind you you're on the coast of the cold, North Atlantic. But the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) was holding a hearing in Halifax on Monday 11th, and the opportunity to invite the travelling members of the Committee to an open, informal town hall with Halifax area residents couldn't be missed.