Event Report
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Panel Discussion and Public Forum
The First Event of the Series on
“Together, We Build a Better Toronto”
Hosted by
Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Advocacy Society (TCFAS)
Oct. 28, 2003, Council Chamber, at Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St W
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Forward
This forum linked together community groups of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and
discussed issues about the City of Toronto that concern them. In particular, what are the
important issues that are being overlooked in the current municipal election campaigns and
public discussions? How we should let the public know of these issues, and help to address them
effectively? The Forum’s objective was to build connections among the groups who are ready
to take action together to improve our lives and social environment in this great city, identify
common issues and areas of concern, and plan for taking actions together in a continuous way in
the future.
I. Overview
This forum was the first event of the series on “Together, We Build a Better Toronto” presented
by Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Advocacy Society (TCFAS). More than 70 people from over
30 organizations attended the event. The sharing and discussion were vivid yet harmonious.
Inspiring remarks were made on many issues deemed important for a better Toronto, and on
how/what we can do to help address them. As a result, an issue-based loose network will be
formed, and as a first step, the issues raised in the forum will be made known to all the
candidates in the current municipal election.
The forum was moderated by Ms. Jillian Ye, a representative of TCFAS. In her open remarks,
Jillian gave an overview of TCFAS and why it is presents the series of events on the theme of
“Together, We Build a Better Toronto”:
TCFAS is a not-for-profit organization established in 2001 by volunteer Falun Gong
practitioners, who believe that "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" is not only the core
principle taught in Falun Gong, but also universal values that can be found in the history of
almost every culture, values treasured by people of all ethnic origins. Motivated by the
tremendous positive and harmonious effects on their lives brought by these principles, Falun
Gong practitioners founded the TCFAS to unite diverse communities who are not Falun Gong
practitioners who also cherish these values and wish to promote them for the benefit of our
societies and our future generations.
In Falun Gong practitioners’ continuous peaceful efforts against the brutal persecution and
defamation from China in the past few years, they proved to the world the tenacity and
strength of these principles – it could enable ordinary people from all walks of live to face
such atrocities with peace and compassion instead of hatred or retaliation. In the process, they
have experienced the power of people working together - the voice of one righteous person or
group might be small, but voices from many good people and communities together can be a
tremendous force of goodness that makes a difference.
That is why TCFAS is now presenting the “Together, We Build A Better Toronto” event
series – to unite the good intentions and efforts of all communities who are willing to work
together to make a difference. TCFAS hopes the events will contribute to the following:
Bridge gaps among different cultural and ethnic groups and organizations in areas of
common concerns;
Encourage communication, mutual understanding, respect and co-operation of different
groups and organizations;
Build consensus and capacity through collaborate with one another, contributing our
talents and efforts together to have our voice heard by government officials, co-operate
with each other and with all levels of the government to have solid actions taken to
resolve issues and achieve positive effects for the benefit of all.
II. Format and process
The October 28 event took the format of panel presentations followed by a public forum.
The panelists were:
Mr. Leo Adler: Lawyer, public speaker, and the national affairs director of
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FOSWCFHS).
Mr. Len Rudner: Director of Community Relations for Canadian Jewish Congress (Ontario)
Ms. Maisie Lo: An advocate for communities of new immigrants.
Mr. Isaac Kejie: Founder and President of Cameroon Association of Canada
Leo told the touching story of Simon Weisenthal, how Mr. Weisenthal survived Holocaust, and
later became the first one to speak up about Cambodia, Armenia, and so on. He is an admirable
individual who devoted his life warning people, “history cannot be allowed to repeat itself, but it
has a tendency, unless we work together against this trend to stop it.” FOSWCFHS is now a
world-wide NGO which educates people about the Holocaust, monitors and act on stopping the
earliest signs of hatred or discrimination.
Len shared vivid stories from his personal experience and community work. He gave a brief
introduction of the Jewish Congress, how it was established with the intention to help Jews
participate in the system of Canadian society fully as others do, and how it succeeded in its
mission with persistent effort. CJC played key roles in changing a series of discriminatory
legislation and practices (targeting Japanese, Chinese, Armenian, Italians, Rwandan and others).
“No justice for Jews unless there is justice for everyone”, Leo said. He remarked on the valuable
opportunity to build bridges between our communities and address issues together. He said he
was at the forum not simply to share his views but to also to hear what others have to say.
Maisie, a long-time community service professional and advocate for new immigrants, chose to
participate simply as a caring citizen of Toronto who felt the responsibility of getting involved :
“Only through working together with respect, justice and compassion will we be able to address
the many challenges facing Toronto,” She said.
Isaac expressed how people from Cameroon, a small country in Africa, felt alone and forgotten
in Toronto. He said his community needs more support on language, translation, jobs and so on.
He started the organization to help and speak up for those people.
Participants had the opportunity to gave a brief introduction of the organization they represent.
Among them were Africans in Partnership Against Aids, Albanian Association, Bahktoon
Society, B’nai Brith, United Nations Association of Canada, Tibetan Association of Canada,
Universal Worship Service, Toronto Civic Action Network, and more (full list of participants in
appendix).
III. Highlights of discussions
Commonly expressed:
Really value this opportunity to learn together. Enjoy the participation. Fully support of such
events.
Like the idea of “build a better Toronto”; we need to build a strong community
Joining hands together we can have solutions, and we can get a lot accomplished
We value diversity and feel like home here but cannot forget the tragedies in the history or
currently on-going elsewhere; otherwise, it would be like the example from the statement of
a priest during the Holocaust, that if we don’t stick up for others, where will be no left to
give us the help when we need it.
What is the most unique or the best character of Toronto?
Diversity: increasingly so; happy to be part of it
Toronto’s most loved characteristic: its ethnocultural cohesion
Can “go through many countries without leaving Toronto”.
Besides budges, transportation, safty, garbage and property tax – the five most discussed
topics, what are the most important issues that need to be addressed for a better Toronto?
What is most important: the desire to feel at home. Most of us came from elsewhere (from
other cities, or other countries). We came here for a variety of reasons; however, we all
want to feel at home. We want to feel that we belong in Toronto. The five issues listed
above do address how we can integrate into the city to an extent, but the number one thing
is how we can feel like we belong, like we are at home.
The 5 issues are all important. Good Transportation is important. Safety is most important.
Without safety, it is difficult for people to enjoy a clean city with good transportation.
Prevention programs are very important, and co-ordination among organizations is
essential. After school programs, clubs etc keep kids at risk in safe places and out of gangs;
Bridges between police officers and different community groups are necessary.
Job opportunities and elimination of discrimination based on credentials, on minority
groups or immigrants.
Public education is a big problem: not up to standard; children do not learn enough; not
enough science, history, cultures, not enough traditional up-bring; parents who don’t speak
English are not able to help children with their homework, leaving children in very
disadvantaged, depressed situation.
Ontario housing and homelessness are of concern.
Toronto is unique because it takes in 80-100 thousand new immigrants every year. These
people bring in a lot of talents and skills. However, the government seems yet to know what
to do with such human assets .
Elections are taking place or around the corner at all levels, we hope the three levels of
governments will work together better in the future.
Education and employment, personal safety, health and mental health: all of these relate to
the quality of life that immigrants and newcomers have in this city, these are very
important.
Spiritual cohesion is important. Should not import hate existing in other places. What is
happening today is that in Catholic schools, there are interfaith classes, optional in public
schools; more schools should have world religion classes
We do not understand each other well enough; We should admit our own problems,
because pointing at each other would cause more problems . Identify and admit what we
are not doing well enough will improve understandings and help move forward together.
What can we do, and get more involved, to address the important issues for a better Toronto?
What to do first:
Before thinking of how to build bridges among different communities, we have to
build bridges in our own community first.
Self-education: learn about the system and know how it works.
Self-responsibility: stand up against what we don’t want to see to happen in our
communities. Failure to stand up is one of the most disappointing things
Self-empowerment: We have to take the initiative. Can’t wait for the politicians to
come to us.
How to get heard and get more people to involve:
One example shared: Present the questions collected from community to
government officials (and/or candidates) and publish their answers on community
newspapers.
Second example shared: A member of the Jewish community built a list of about
2000 writers, she is able to get the community’s voice, and inform the community
with this resource.
Internet can be a good tool of building community connections.
This meeting is an opportunity to collect our common corners and bring them to the
government
We should invite the government officials to attend our future sessions.
What else?
Self-empowerment is important; However, helping each other is also important. In
particular, those who have been here longer and stronger should help those who are
newer and have limited resources.
There are a lot of smaller groups in Toronto. It is important to engage them in civic
participation.
We are from very different backgrounds; We have to focus on the commonalities and
respect the differences.
Currently, a large percentage of people is not being represented equitably. For
example, Chinese and Punjabis are very large language and ethnic groups in our city,
but how well are they being represented in government ? So we need to work
together and strengthen our representation in our government; Its important to get
involved, while keeping our uniqueness.
For City safety and prevention program: This can be done on our own by working
with the police. We don’t have to rely on the government. It is important to create
bridges between police officers and different community groups; We should get
involved in police council in our communities
We cannot expect the government to handle our concerns alone, we have to monitor
our government, assist them, and ensure that they fulfill what we elected them for.
IV. Recommendations
A. Summarize the concerns raised at the forum. Based on these concerns, devise a
questionnaire and send it to all municipal candidates. Communicate their answers to our
communities
B. Establish an issue-based network with the participants. Connect with more groups in the
future to continuously share thoughts and take actions.
C. Present a co-signed letter based on the discussions at the forum to the new municipal
government right after they are elected.
V. Follow-up actions
- Send summary of the forum to all participants
- Compile an email list for future communication
- Send the questionnaire based on the discussions on the forum to all municipal candidates
and communicate the answers of the candidates to all participants and through them to
the communities they represent.
VI. Acknowledgement
We thank all participants, panelists, and volunteer Falun Gong practitioners who made the event a
great success. Special thanks goes to Friends of Falun Gong and Lian Hua (Lotus) Arts Group who
provide refreshments and entertainment.
Appendix: List of Attendants
(In alphabetic order; several could not attend this time due to too short notice)
Africans In Partnership against HIV/AIDS (APAA)
Albanian Canadian Community Association
Alpha Toronto
Arab Community Center of Toronto
B’nai Brith of Canada
Broad African Resource Centre
Cabbagetown Community Service
Cameroon Association of Toronto
Canadian Jewish Congress
Canadian Polish Congress (Toronto District)
Center for Spanish Speaking people
Chinese Academic Society
F.D.C. Canada
Friends of Falung Gong
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies
Humanist Movement
J.C. Cultural and Education Foundation
Kerala Community
Minghui School
Portuguese Interagency Network
Pukhtoon Cultural Center
Regent Park Community Health Center
Somali Family and Child Skills Development Services
St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Community Group
The Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario
Toronto Tibetan Youth Congress
“Bridging the Gap” York Community Services [Trethewey Community Development Initiative ]
Uighur Canadian Association
United Nations Association in Canada -Toronto Region
Universal Worship Service
World Uighur Youth Congress