03Oct 2018 by aglaser

Documentary showing: Highway of Tears

Advocacy
To raise awareness about the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada, Humanist Ottawa, Center For Inquiry Ottawa, and the Global Justice Working Group of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa hosted a screening of the 2015 documentary "Highway of Tears" on Tuesday October 2nd 7:30 pm at the First Unitarian Church in Westboro.  A couple of Humanist Ottawa members served refreshments from the kitchen to a full house before the showing of the documentary, and there was some very good discussion afterwards, including comments from people directly affected by the issue.  We also raised a decent sum to donate to the youth at risk "Wasa Nawin" program at the Odawa Friendship Center.  Thanks to all who attended and made the event possible.
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05May 2018 by aglaser

Panel Discussion: Freedom of Expression under Fire!

Advocacy
Humanist Ottawa (the Humanist Association of Ottawa) presented a panel discussion May 3rd, 2018 at the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public Library on freedom of expression in academia and the media.  The panelists included Lindsay Shepherd, Dr. Rick Mehta, Dr. Christopher DiCarlo, and Henry Beissel. Admission was free.        The Humanist Association of Ottawa was founded in 1968 is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Blodwen Piercy, a founding member of the Humanist Association of Ottawa is seated in the second row beside the woman wearing the blue top. She was recognized and thanked by Richard Thain on behalf of the Humanist Association of Ottawa for the many significant contributions she has made over the years. Sheila Ayala presented her with flowers as a symbol of our appreciation…
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13Apr 2018 by aglaser

Public Funds for Public Schools

Advocacy, One School System
The publicly funded Halton Catholic District School Board passed a resolution to ban fundraising for charities that run counter to Catholic values. Under this ban, its schools will no longer be able to raise money for groups that directly or indirectly support abortion, contraception, sterilization, euthanasia or embryonic stem cell research. This means their students will have to dissociate from charities such as the Red Cross, the Canadian Cancer Society, all hospitals including Sick Kids Hospital, the Terry Fox Foundation, all universities, all science centres and other organizations. The Separate School Board System is financed with public money and by accepting these funds, they forfeit the right to impose their values in the public domain. Humanist Ottawa members attended a press conference regarding this issue held on Parliament Hill from…
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05Jun 2017 by aglaser

Imagine No Religion Conference in Toronto

Advocacy
Humanist Ottawa's MVP, Richard Thain, went to the Imagine No Religion 7 Conference in Toronto and got to meet the keynote speaker, Richard Dawkins (far right), with some Humanist Canada activists. (from left, Richard Thain, Humanist Association of Ottawa; Michel Virard, Association humaniste du Québec; Bob & Terri Hope, Grey Bruce Humanists/Owen Sound, Ontario).
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24Mar 2017 by aglaser No Comments

Humanist Ottawa presented a lecture on marijuana legalization.

Advocacy, Meetup
On March 24, 2017, Humanist Ottawa (the Humanist Association of Ottawa) presented a public lecture where Eugene Oscapella, an Ottawa lawyer and a lecturer on drug policy in the University of Ottawa Criminology Department, described many of the reasons for moving away from a system of criminal prohibition to a legal, regulated market in cannabis and how potential changes in the law will affect Canadians and others around the globe.
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02Jan 2017 by aglaser

Humanist Ottawa Supported Electoral Reform

Advocacy
On October 26, 2016, Humanist Ottawa (the Humanist Association of Ottawa) took part in the public consultations done by the House of Commons Special Comittee on Electoral Reform. Our president, J.P. Westlund presented a stament that was drafted by some of our members to the comittee. You can watch the video here. J.P. Westlund's statement can be found just after the 20:17 mark.
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16Nov 2014 by aglaser No Comments

Remembrance Day 2014

Advocacy
Humanist Ottawa joined atheists in Ottawa and around the country in remembering the sacrifice of Canada's soldiers past and present, and struggling with the recent tragedy at the very place at which we all gathered to remember. We regret the necessity of war and look forward to a more peaceful future.
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