#sangjun-han — Public Fediverse posts

EMILY HUANG TO REPRESENT CANADA at ISEF IN ARIZONA

Emily Huang, a grade 12 Laurel Heights Secondary School student, was selected as one of eight students to represent Canada at the upcoming Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, from May 9 to 15, 2026. 

On Mar. 23, 2026, Youth Science Canada (YSC), a national organization dedicated to supporting young Canadians in STEM, announced […]

STUDENTS PROTEST OSAP CHANGES

Ontario students across the province are protesting about the recent changes made to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The Ontario government has announced that, starting this fall, OSAP grants will decrease from a maximum of 85 per cent to 25 per cent.  

On Mar. 4, 2026, hundreds of students and community members from across Ontario gathered at Queen’s Park to protest the cuts. Similar protests broke out in different cities, including Waterloo and Ottawa. The OSAP changes are not only affecting post-secondary students but also secondary schools.  

At the University of Waterloo, the reaction has been described as historic. Remington Aginskaya-Zhi, Vice President of the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA), noted that the campus is seeing a level of mobilization not seen in decades.  

“This is the most engaged we’ve seen students probably ever,” Aginskaya-Zhi said. “The rally that we held was one of the biggest gatherings or protests on campus in probably our entire history.”  

The movement is gaining even more traction in the Greater Toronto Area, where students are framing the cuts as a systemic attack on public institutions. Trudi Kiropatwa, a third-year student at Toronto Metropolitan University and a member of the Student Mobilization Committee (SMC), says the impact in Toronto is extreme.  

“We’re essentially on a sinking ship,” Kiropatwa said. “This government and their corporate cronies see us as customers and our education as an industry that is ready to be exploited.”  

The urgency stems from a lack of clarity on how these cuts will affect individual bank accounts. According to WUSA, the provincial OSAP estimator for the upcoming year has yet to be released, leaving students in a state of financial limbo.  

Kiropatwa noted that for many, the breaking point is graduating into a job market with record-high youth unemployment while saddled with massive debt.  

“Me, personally, I’m going to be graduating with tens of thousands of dollars of student debt already without these changes,” she said. “These changes are making the issue ten times worse.”  

“Students definitely are very worried,” Aginskaya-Zhi said. “We are hearing stories from students telling us they’re uncertain whether they can come back to school next year, or whether they can pursue graduate studies.”  

This uncertainty is already forcing students to make difficult lifestyle changes. Aginskaya reported that some students are opting for longer commutes rather than living in Waterloo to save on costs, while others are seeing their younger siblings reconsider university altogether.  

Beyond the provincial level, the University of Waterloo is also grappling with internal budget crisis pressures. Aginskaya-Zhi highlighted that financial support units on campus are currently understaffed, which could complicate the processing of student aid.  

“The university right now is understaffed and has lots of challenges to hire new staff…but funding should not come at the cost of giving more debt to students,” she said.  

In response, organizations like WUSA and the SMC carried out a massive convergence at Queen’s Park on Mar. 24, 2026. Despite the government maintaining its argument that the 25 per cent grant limit is sustainable, the mobilizations saw hundreds of activists reiterating demands for a full reversal.  

“We’re not here to demand a return to normal…which is a Band-Aid solution,” Kiropatwa said. “We’re here fighting for free, democratic, and accessible education.”  

“Right now, I think students are angry, and what we are focusing on is giving students an avenue to let out their anger,” Aginskaya-Zhi said.   

She emphasized that the momentum will not fade as the semester ends.   

“Just because winter term is ending and it’s summer now doesn’t mean that students have forgotten this betrayal from the government.”  

As Parliament returns to session, WUSA intends to keep the pressure on local MPPs to ensure the student voice is heard.  

“We hear your anger, we hear your frustration,”  Aginskaya-Zhi concluded as a message to the student body. “We are going to work to make sure that you can share that with us.”  

ENTERING THE NEXT CHAPTER : HAMLEY’S SECONDHAND BOOKSTORE OPENS IN CAMBRIDGE

In Nov. 2025, Jamie Hamley and his wife Sheri opened Hamley’s Second Chapter at 132 Main St. in Cambridge.  

Jamie, a resident of Waterloo, spent 15 years of his life overseeing operations at Petro Canada gas stations within the city. But his love for literature started early. Growing up in Owen Sound, Jamie spent his after-school hours immersed in local used bookstores, hunting for western novels by Louis L’Amour.   

His passion for reading and books inspired his goal of opening a second-hand bookstore, especially when he discovered there were none in Galt.  

“My employment at Petro-Canada moved to 3 days a week, so I was looking for an add-on opportunity,” Jamie said. “I have always been a used bookstore customer and an avid reader, so the choice was easy for me.”  

The couple collected books for their inventory at a four-day used book sale in Guelph that had 80,000 books available; out of these, they purchased 4,000.  

They continued their efforts by purchasing more books through online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji, as well as from individual residents.  

“We have an open concept in the store,” Sheri said. “We don’t want to be overstocked and cramped. We like to offer open space for the customers to look around.”  

To further support the neighbourhood, the couple has dedicated a table at the front of the shop to showcase local authors.  

Aside from books, the store also offers second-hand puzzles, Funko Pops and DVDs. Jamie said they plan to sell games in the future, but since his stock has grown so quickly, he decided to stop buying merchandise for his store in January, to focus on organization.  

“It’s important to recycle products to a second or even tenth user,” Jamie said. “Everybody is a reader—some people just haven’t found the right book yet. Maybe they can find it here.”  

“We are just starting to see what the community wants,” Sheri said. “We have expanded our non-fiction section to try to meet our customers’ needs.”  

Although having space for their store was a big dream come true, Sheri explained that finding a rental space that suited their needs was a challenge.   

“I have always wanted a physical store,” said Jamie. “Customers want to have the book in their hands, and you never know what you will find when you search the shelves.”  

With a three-year lease in place, the couple hopes that the store will become their full-time focus. Jamie sees it as the perfect “second chapter” and a meaningful project for him and Sheri to share throughout their retirement. 

INSTRUMENT LIBRARIES HELP SPREAD MUSIC

As the cost of music education continues to rise, instrument lending programs across Waterloo Region are helping remove financial and logistical barriers for families, students, and schools. 

Local nonprofit organizations operate instrument lending programs aimed at improving access to music education, particularly for children and youth. One program is Bandology, a program that enriches the music experience of kids and teens through performance opportunities. The Kitchener Public Library (KPL) also runs their music library program, where library members can sign out an instrument using their library card. 

Juliana Rutledge, the Innovation Manager and Head of Operations at Bandology, said instrument libraries play a crucial role in helping young people who may not otherwise be able to participate in music programs. 

“Music libraries are really important because they level the playing field for a lot of kids and the whole community…in order to be able to access music and to be able to experience music education,” Rutledge said. 

They also allow community members to experience new interests at low cost.  

“Borrowing an instrument from the library offers people a chance to try a new creative interest without an expensive investment,” Kerri Hutchinson, Manager of Marketing and Communications at the KPL, said. 

For Rutledge, the goal is simple: ensuring that cost or access never prevents someone from experiencing music. 

“If you’re looking for a little more music in your life, reach out. There’s absolutely something that can be done,” she said. 

Research has shown that music education is associated with enhanced academic and cognitive skills, improved social and emotional development, and positive effects on youth well-being. However, access to music programs has become increasingly difficult, as arts funding is often among the first areas cut during budget constraints. 

“The arts generally are often the first to be cut when there are expense issues,” Rutledge said. “If you are looking to shrink a budget and find some light arms to cut, music is an easy one to say no to.” 

Bandology’s instrument lending library was developed in 2021 and 2022 to improve access to instruments and music programs. The program officially launched after the organization received capital grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2023 and 2024, allowing the nonprofit to purchase a wide range of instruments. 

Today, the library includes 77 instruments across 23 different categories, including woodwinds, brass, and large percussion instruments such as tubas, vibraphones, and timpani. The collection has also been supported by donations from community members. 

“These instruments, they’re doing no good to us sitting on our shelves,” Rutledge said. “We want them to be loaned out. We want students in the community who want to make more music and are looking for a way to do that.” 

Bandology’s lending program serves multiple regions, including Kitchener-Waterloo, Halton and Guelph. Rutledge said the program fills gaps for families who cannot afford instruments, as well as for schools with limited or aging collections. 

“We had one school in Milton last year that was brand new, like still a dirt patch on Google Maps, and they borrowed about a dozen instruments to supplement what they didn’t have,” Rutledge said.  

The organization works closely with local educators, who play a key role in connecting students with the program. Rutledge said more than half of applicants learned about the lending library through their music teachers. 

“We have a network of teachers that we stay in touch with, and they definitely feel the impact of knowing that there is something to fall back on if their classroom doesn’t have whatever the item might be,” she said. 

In addition to the lending library, Bandology runs annual band camps for students in grades one through twelve and offers music workshops in partnership with schools and community organizations. While the nonprofit primarily focuses on children and youth, Rutledge said it is also exploring intergenerational programming that brings different age groups together through music. 

The Kitchener Public Library’s musical instrument collection shares a similar focus on accessibility through instrument lending. According to the Kitchener Public Library, instruments can be borrowed for free with a valid library card. 

“The library has a musical instrument collection with 19 different instruments to choose from,” Hutchinson said. The most popular items include acoustic guitars, digital keyboards, xylophones, and bongo drums. Other available instruments include cajons, djembes, dulcimers, and doumbeks. Instruments can be borrowed for three weeks at a time, with the option to extend if there are no holds. 

The collection is available at the library’s Central branch in downtown Kitchener and was created with support from Sun Life Financial. The library now maintains the collection through its operating budget and donor contributions. 

Rutledge said the growth of instrument lending programs reflects a broader recognition of music’s value within communities. 

“There’s more push for instrument loans through libraries and non-profits like Bandology,” she said. “More music is good for all music organizations.” 

For more information, visit the KPL website or bandology.ca. 

WORLD RELIGIONS CONFERENCE DELEGATES TALK COMBATTING HATE

On Nov. 23, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at hosted the 43rd World Religions Conference (WRC) at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, becoming a hub for dialogue, reflection and education, drawing on religious scholars, community leaders and students to explore the pressing social challenge of combating hate.  

The conference brings voices together from major world religions, Indigenous faiths and non-religious perspectives to foster understanding and encourage harmonious living.   

This year, representatives from Sikhism, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Indigenous traditions and Humanism shared how their teachings and lived experiences can help confront prejudice. Nabeela Rana, WRC organizer and member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, highlighted the conference’s neutrality and inclusivity.  

“Every year, there are more people coming, and every year we see more interest because of the nature of this conference…we’re giving eight faiths or philosophies a chance to speak,” Rana said.  

The event participants explained that hate, whether it’s personal or systematic, thrives on fear and ignorance. Upkar Singh, a community worker and leader representing the Sikh perspective, explained that hate stems from fear, while love and understanding unite communities. He cited historical examples of courage and compassion, such as the sacrifice of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, for the freedom of other traditions, and Guru Nanak’s teachings of nirbhau (without fear), nirvair (without hatred).  

“By carrying that same fearlessness, only then can we stand against hate, united and strong,” Singh said.  

Shiv Talwar, president of the Spiritual Heritage Education Network and Hindu representative at the WRC, said spiritual practices transform individuals from within to overcome hatred.  

“If we want to stop hate, we have to even change our biochemistry…our love is biochemistry driven. Our hate is also biochemistry driven too,” he said.   

Mindfulness, breathwork, and contemplative practices were presented as tools to cultivate empathy and awareness.  

Farhan Iqbal, an Imam from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, highlighted Islam’s emphasis on conviction and peaceful engagement, recalling the Prophet Muhammad’s resilience in the face of threats.  

“[O]ver time, God granted [the Prophet] conviction and the yaqeen, the strength of belief to convey [His] message,” Iqbal said.  

He urged attendees to engage with understanding and dialogue.  

Father Toby Collins, a pastor from St. Mary Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, offered a Christian perspective, emphasizing the idea of transforming hate and prejudice through love and forgiveness. He draws on biblical teachings and encourages attendees to pray for those who caused harm, underscoring the power of community and the need to protect joy while serving other people within our community.  

“When we pray for other people …there becomes an opportunity to grow an awareness of what we really need, where we can find it, and we can move better towards forgiveness,” Collins said.  

Jay Judkowitz, president of Temple Shalom, a Reform Jewish synagogue, highlighted teachings on community and teshuva, the process of repentance and restitution.   

“While we are commanded to do teshuva, we are also supposed to accept it,” Judkowitz said. “If you just keep punishing people, the world’s never going to improve.”  

Similarly, Mitra Barua, an assistant professor of Asian Studies and a Buddhist Scholar in Residence at the Martin Luther University College, said Buddhist traditions emphasized introspection and mindful reflection to prevent hatred from taking root.  

“Buddha guided leaders to examine their own greed, delusion, and aversion before taking harmful action, encouraging individuals to find answers within themselves,” he said.  

Clarence Cachagee, founder of the Crow Shield Lodge, a Mishkegowak Chapleau Cree, and the Indigenous speaker at the conference, explained that Indigenous teachings emphasized the sacred connection between the land, ancestors, and prayer. Cachagee shared that prayer, tobacco, and drums are central to maintaining harmony and grounding oneself in community.  

“Our drum, when we play our drums, it’s a form of prayer…all of those things come from the land, from home,” Cachagee said.  

Finally, Sassan Sanei, A philosopher representing Humanist perspectives during the conference, highlighted that moral responsibility does not require formal religious structures.  

“We don’t need a formal structure or organizational hierarchy…we just need to know what’s right and what’s wrong,” Sanei said.  

He emphasized empathy, compassion, and reason as guiding principles for confronting hate.  

Throughout the conference, recurring themes emerged: fear and ignorance which fuel division, but courage, compassion, introspection, and community build bridges. Faith and philosophy, whether religious or secular, provide tools to recognize hate, transform behavior and foster understanding.  

As Rana noted, interfaith engagement represents a path forward for societies seeking unity amid diversity.  

“The World Religions Conference continues to offer a platform for dialogue, reflection and education, calling on attendees to build a society rooted in compassion, understanding and the shared effort to combat hate,” Rana said.

By bringing together diverse voices, the WRC demonstrated that understanding and empathy are essential tools in the fight against hate.  

#ahmadiyya #amrProduct #clarenceCachagee #CommunityLeaders #crowShieldLodge #Education #engineering #farhanIqbal #guruTeghBahadurJi #OTTO #reflection #SangjunHan #sassanSanei #sikhGuru #spiritualHeritageEducationNetwork #stMaryOurLadyOfTheSevenSorrowsRomanCatholicChurch #WorldReligions #worldReligionsConference

ONTARIO PASSES BILL 33, GRANTS MORE POWERS TO GOVERNMENT

Ontario legislature passed the Bill 33, known as the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025 on Nov.19, bringing in major changes to how school boards, children’s aid societies, and post-secondary institutions are governed  

The newly passed controversial bill is a piece of legislation that introduces significant changes to the oversight of school boards and post-secondary institutions in Ontario, giving the Minister of Education expanded powers to intervene in local decision-making.   

Under this bill, Paul Calandra, Ontario’s minister of education, can take over school boards, mandate collaboration with local police to implement school resource officer programs where available and even remove school board trustees.  

The government framed it as a necessary intervention to put school boards back on track, strengthen school safety and allow students to succeed. Calandra took over five school boards using earlier versions of these powers, citing financial mismanagement. He has now signalled that more boards are in his sights under Bill 33.  

While the government has framed the bill as necessary for accountability, critics in the post-secondary sector say it increases provincial control without addressing core funding issues.   

“Bill 33 hands the Minister more levers to pull and hands universities more paperwork for their already overworked staff,” Bruce Gillespie, president of Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (WLUFA), said.   

“It does not fix the basic problem, which is that Ontario’s universities are being asked to do more and more with less and less public funding,” he said.

Gillespie also raised concerns about the impact on post-secondary institutions. Bill 33 adds compliance requirements and administrative workload for universities without increasing provincial operating funding.   

He warned that these new obligations could destabilize student-funded services, such as mental health support, transit and campus media, which directly affect students’ well-being and faculty’s ability to deliver quality education.  

Equity-based admissions initiatives are also at risk.  

“Equity-based admissions do not lower standards. They recognize that grades are produced inside unequal systems,” Gillespie said.   

“Bill 33 gives the government new tools to second-guess those efforts from Queen’s Park, which is exactly the opposite of what we need if we want campuses to reflect the diversity of Ontario,” he said.  

Gillespie warns that preserving the authority of university Senates is critical under the new legislation. Senates play a key role in maintaining academic standards and research independence, and Gillespie argues that provincial intervention in admissions and research priorities could undermine academic freedom.  

This bill not only impacts post-secondary institutions, but also influences primary and secondary school boards, such as the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB).  

“With the passing of Bill 33, the WRDSB will continue to follow the direction and guidance of the Ministry of Education and comply with all provincial legislation,” Scott Miller, director of education at the WRDSB, said.   

“Our commitment to supporting student achievement and the well-being of all students remains the highest priority. We will continue to work closely and collaboratively with students, staff, parents, families, caregivers, and community partners to ensure that all decisions and actions reflect the needs and values of those in WRDSB schools and workplaces,” Miller said.  

He also said more information about Bill 33 and its changes to the school board will be made available on the WRDSB website.  

The government portrays Bill 33 as a measure to improve oversight and student success. Faculty, staff and student representatives across Ontario argue that the legislation prioritizes increased provincial control over the funding crisis, campus services and local governance, leaving many in the education community concerned about its long-term impact.  

#bill33 #Caregivers #childrensAidSocieties #communityPartners #families #Government #paulCalandra #postSecondaryInstitutions #SangjunHan #School #Staff #supportingChildrenAndStudentsAct #WRDSB

EBIKES AND SCOOTERS CONTINUE SEEING SUCCESS IN WR

In the spring of 2023, Neuron Mobility launched a transportation program utilizing orange e-scooters and e-bikes in the Waterloo Region. Residents were given access to these shared modes of environmentally friendly electric vehicles. The program has found success within the region—it offers a quick alternative to driving cars around Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.   

Statistics from the spring, summer and fall of 2023 demonstrate positive results, including a total of 46,000 riders; 190,000 trips; 360,000 kilometers ridden; $8.2 million poured into the Waterloo Region economy and 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions saved, which is the equivalent of 192 mature trees.   

The Waterloo Region is in the process of building a sustainable transportation network. These e-scooters and e-bikes are an affordable transportation option that makes sense for all types of inner-city travel, leisure rides and short trips transporting a person from their home to their workplace or school. Riders can use e-scooters or e-bikes to get from their homes to an ION or bus stop. Travelers can access an e-bike or e-scooter at a particular point in the region and then ride it and drop it off at a completely different part of town.   

Colleen James, regional councillor for the City of Kitchener, said the idea of introducing Neuron e-scooters and e-bikes into the region made sense for many reasons, including the reduction of community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This reduction is a climate goal set by the Region of Waterloo. Using low-carbon transportation is a strategy to reach this goal by 2030.   

“The benefit to this program is that it was not going to cost us anything, so there is no cost to taxpayers. This is literally a partnership (between the Region and Neuron Mobility) to promote more active transportation,” James said.   

James went on to say that this program allows for more options for travel within our region.   

“The Region of Waterloo is Canada’s only multi-jurisdiction shared micromobility program…The success of the program can be attributed to a number of factors including the fantastic work of our municipal partners and the enthusiasm for the service from our riders across the Region,” Isaac Ransom, head of corporate affairs for Neuron Mobility, Canada said.   

Neuron Mobility also has e-scooters and e-bikes in 17 cities across Canada, including Ottawa, Brampton, Vaughan, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Saskatoon and Regina. Since the launch of these programs in 2021, riders of Neuron e-scooters and e-bikes have travelled over nine million kilometres.   

To rent and ride an e-scooter or an e-bike, simply download the Neuron Mobility app and follow the instructions. A person must be at least 16 years old to rent the equipment.   

The cost is approximately $2,000 per year for active use. From an environmental point of view, this is a reasonable cost compared to the cost of running a car for a year.    

James, with many others, sees a bright future with the continuous utilization of e-bikes and e-scooters within the Waterloo Region. 

#brampton #calgary #Cambridge #CityOfKitchener #CO2 #ColleenJames #EBikes #eScooters #edmonton #environmental #environmentallyFriendlyVehicles #escooters #EV #friendlyVehicles #kitchener #LizGaiger #Neuron #neuronMobility #Ottawa #redDeer #Regina #Region #SangjunHan #saskatoon #vaughan

ALL ABOARD THE WEEKEND TRAIN

On Nov. 23, the GO Train service will expand its service along the Kitchener line, adding four weekend trips to the area.  

The Ontario government reached an agreement with CN Rail on Oct. 16 to purchase the land needed to build GO Transit tracks along the Kitchener line. This deal was billed as a breakthrough in the province’s long-promised plan to deliver a two-way, all-day service between Toronto and Kitchener.  

“I’m thrilled that the new weekend GO Train service is now connecting the Waterloo Region with Toronto,” Karen Redman, Regional Chair of the Waterloo Region, said. “This expansion will make a real difference for our residents and businesses—reducing traffic congestion, cutting carbon emissions, and improving access to jobs and opportunities.”  

Redman said the region has long advocated for more GO Train service, and it is an important step toward achieving full two-way, all-day service.  

“As Waterloo Region grows to one million people, investing in reliable and sustainable transportation is vital to supporting our community’s future,” she said.  

The agreement coincides with the new GO Train services beginning on Nov. 23, which includes 18 additional weekend trips between Bramalea and Union Station.  

The Ontario government says the new agreement clears the way to build 40 km of dedicated GO tracks, along with track realignments, signal upgrades, bridge work, and expanded platforms.  

“Expanding service along the Kitchener Line is part of Ontario’s $70-billion investment in the largest transit expansion,” a statement from Metrolinx Media Relations reads. “Ontario now offers new rail, subway, and transit lines across the province from Barrie to Niagara, Kitchener, Oshawa, Toronto and more.”  

Metrolinx continues to work on the Kitchener Line, where GO Trains currently operate primarily on a single track between Bramalea and Kitchener GO stations, limiting service capacity. The agency has begun installing a second track between the stations to enable two-way train operations.  

“We will also be adding weekday service enhancements, such as two weekday trips between Bramalea Go and Union Station,” David Jang, Chief Communications & Community Engagement Officer at Metrolinx said.  

“We’ll also extend one evening trip that previously ended at Guelph Central to Kitchener GO and add two trips that previously ended at Malton GO to Bramalea GO,” Jang said.  

Commuters can expect two trains on Saturdays and two on Sundays once service begins. The trains will depart Kitchener in the afternoon and return in the evening, aligning with major events in Toronto.  

Schedule times are expected to be confirmed on the GO Transit website in the coming weeks. 

#bramaleaGo #cnRail #davidJang #GOTrain #goTrainService #KarenRedman #maltonGo #metrolinx #OntarioGovernment #SangjunHan #Transportation #waterlooRegion

ONTARIO GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES BILL 33, CONCERNS RAISED

On May 29, the Ontario government introduced Bill 33 to legislation. 

The Bill offers more power to the premier’s office over school boards while tightening oversight of children’s aid societies, colleges and universities.  

The Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, Bill 33, would amend four major laws—including the Education Act and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.  

First, Bill 33 introduces new administrative and fiscal oversight measures for children’s aid societies, such as providing information about the Ombudsman to children and youth, reviewing by-laws and making them available to the public, obtaining ministerial approval for financial decisions that impact approved budgets, and expanding the definition of “institution” to include maternity homes.  

It also makes changes to the residing Education Act, where there will be more ministerial oversight and new cooperation requirements for Ontario school boards, with requirements such as: submitting to increased ministerial authority, where the education minister has more supremacy to investigate school boards, issue binding directives to the public and establish guidelines on board expenses.   

Other requirements include obtaining ministerial approval for the name of a new school or changing the name of an existing school, collaborating with police services on school programming, and implementing internal audits conducted by the ministry to enhance financial accountability.  

Scott Miller, director of education for the Waterloo Region District School Board, said the board will continue to work with local police and the community if the legislation passes.  

“The Waterloo Region District School Board [WRDSB] prioritizes safe, inclusive and welcoming learning environments for all students,” Miller said. “As a school board, we work closely with the Waterloo Regional Police Service [WRPS] to support the safety and well-being of WRDSB school communities. Bill 33 is still under review but if the bill is passed, we will continue to engage thoughtfully with our community partners, staff, students, parents and families to ensure decisions reflect the needs and values of WRDSB school communities.”  

Beyond K-12 schools, the bill also targets Ontario’s colleges and universities.  

The Bill amends the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities Act, focusing on admissions practices, research security and fee regulations. They plan to implement publicly accessible, merit-based admission standards, with details to be defined through regulation, develop and implement research security plans to safeguard and mitigate the risk of harm to or interference with research activities, and comply with government regulations regarding ancillary student fees, which may restrict fee structures and affect funding for student services.  

The Ministry of Colleges and Universities also received a new name: the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. This change, along with the new requirements for colleges and universities to develop and implement research security plans, reflects heightened governmental focus on research security.  

“At this point, the university, along with our Ontario post-secondary education peers, is closely monitoring the legislative discussion of the proposed Bill 33 and its potential impacts on universities,” Aonghus Kealy, Communications and Media Relations Officer at Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) said.   

Bruce Gillespie, President of the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (WLUFA), emphasized that there are more risks involved in this bill than benefits.  

“It centralizes control over admissions, enables ministerial directives for research security, and broadens authority over student fees,” Gillespie said. “Universities already publish admission standards and safeguard research; layering new directives and fee controls adds red tape and cost without fixing chronic underfunding.”  

He added that the bill will burden staff and students at post-secondary institutions such as WLU.  

“It increases compliance workload and puts student-funded services at risk, while the real issue-operating funding—goes unaddressed,” Gillespie said.  

He also explains that if provincial rules destabilize student-funded services (from peer supports to transit and campus media), the unmet need doesn’t disappear; it shows up in classrooms and office hours. Faculty across ranks, and especially contract faculty, will end up doing more informal advising, crisis triage and support with fewer resources.  

Gillespie said he opposed the bill, arguing it undermines the autonomy of admissions and fees, risks weakening equity initiatives, and expands oversight that bypasses normal scrutiny, without improving teaching, research, or student supports. He hopes that Bill 33 will either remove or substantially amend the bill to protect equity-based admissions in statute, avoid fee controls that destabilize student services, and provide transparent, consultative research-security guidance.  

“On governance, the province should explicitly preserve Senate authority over academic matters and commit to meaningful consultation with students, not just anonymous surveys,” Gillespie said.  

As Bill 33 moves through legislative debate, its impact on Ontario’s education and child welfare systems remains a central concern for educators, administrators and policymakers alike. 

#AbdullahZafar #bill33 #BruceGillespie #childWelfare #DougFord #educationAct #fordGovernment #ontarioEducation #SangjunHan #senate #WaterlooRegionDistrictSchoolBoard #WaterlooRegionalPoliceService #wilfridLaurierUniversityFacultyAssociation #WRDSB #WRPS

KITCHENER INTRODUCES RENOVICTION BY-LAW

On June 23, 2025, Kitchener city council directed their staff to draft a renoviction by-law. Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) delegates pushed the council to end bad faith evictions, or renovictions. These are due to a landlord’s desire or need to renovate, thus leading to residents moving out of apartments they can afford.   

Similar bylaws were introduced in London and Hamilton this year to protect residents after being served a N13 eviction notice, given when a landlord intends to renovate or demolish a rental property, or convert it to a non-residential use.   

“The Region of Waterloo’s Building Better Futures Plan supports the creation and preservation of affordable housing, and we work collaboratively with all levels of government to advance affordable housing in our community,” Scott Cressman, Senior Communications Advisor for the Region of Waterloo, said.  

The London by-law came into effect in March 2025. It requires landlords to apply for a license within one week of serving a tenant with a N13 eviction notice.  

The bylaw forces landlords to submit a report that is certified by an engineer or architect proving the renovations need the unit to be temporarily vacant. The City of Kitchener council is considering a similar format.   

In January 2024, Hamilton became the first city in Ontario to adopt a renoviction by-law. Setting the precedent for the Kitchener bylaw, it will require a landlord to apply for city renovation license within seven days of issuing a N13 eviction notice. The license fee will be $715 per unit, and $125 to renew per annum.  

“In Ontario, tenant displacement and eviction protection policies fall within the jurisdiction of the province or local area municipalities. This includes rental replacement by-laws related to the renovation, conversion and demolition of rental housing,” Cressman said.   

Bill 97, The Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, Subsection 50 [3] was re-anacted so that landlords are to give notices of a termination of tenancy when they require the possession of a rental unit to do repairs or renovations. This, however, has left many tenants in the Waterloo Region still vulnerable to renoviction.   

“This was a provincial law that happened, made it so basically any new builds or renovated builds had no cap on rent that could be charged. And then certain amoral landlords saw that as an opportunity to falsify renovations or minor improvements or whatnot, to get tenants out,” Linda Vos, a leader for the 250 Frederick ACORN tenant union, said.   

Vos became involved with ACORN in November of 2023 when one of her neighbours at 250 Frederick St. reached out to ACORN with concerns about their new landlord. ACORN helped them thoroughly when news of the landlord’s history of renoviction spread. Willing tenants of the building were signed up for mailing lists pertinent to their situation, and planned marches to City Hall immediately.   

“We are hoping that Kitchener and Waterloo both come back with in their drafts that have these strong renoviction protections for tenants, ACORN has been fighting for specific features in the renovation by laws for years now,” Vos said.   

#ACORN #Bill97 #CityOfKitchener #Hamilton #HelpingHomebuyers #HelpingHomeownersProtectingTenantsAct #housingCrisis #kitchenerCityCouncil #LindonVos #London #ProtectingTenantsAct #Renoviction #SangjunHan #scottCressman #seniorCommunicationsAdvisorForTheRegionOfWaterloo #waterlooRegion

WELCOME TO OUR QRIB

Willow River Centre and Spectrum’s Black, Racialized and Indigenous Queers (BRIQ) House are co-organizing a series of events called QRIB (Queer, Racialized, Indigenous and Black) community hangouts to help foster a safer community for self-identifying queer, racialized, Indigenous and Black individuals. 

The two organizations started hosting these hangouts last year from Aug. 9 to Dec 13. Initially focused on karaoke, the hangouts have since evolved to include other community-focused activities like bonfires and discussion circles. 

The name “QRIB” is a play on words for the word crib and was chosen to evoke a sense of home or gathering space. The Willow-River Centre, an event venue based in Kitchener, played a key role by offering a space designed for the Indigenous and racialized queer population, incorporating culturally specific elements, local art and non-hierarchical, healing-focused community values, instead of clinical or colonial support models. 

“They bring a sense of safety for a lot of Indigenous and queer people locally,” Karla Gomez, a facilitator of the QRIB hangout, said.  

Spectrum provides funding and support, including food and resources at hangouts. Though the organization wasn’t initially inclusive, recent leadership changes made it more committed to reconciliation and community prioritization.  

“The hangouts are non-hierarchical, free, and community-led, fostering healing and connection in ways that feel safe and liberating to those involved,” Roni Noodle, a director of the QRIB hangouts, said. 

Noodle also explained how QRIB is unique in Kitchener-Waterloo, and no other local spaces offer the same intersectional support for 2SLGBTQIA+ and racialized individuals. Noodle described BRIQ House as another supportive space for Indigenous and queer people in the area but noted it holds a different relationship with the community compared to Willow River Centre. Although Spectrum started hosting QRIB hangouts to create a more inclusive space, it’s not a space designed for racialized, Black and Indigenous individuals. Even though they’re attempting to change, they decided a partnership with Willow River Centre will help them. 

“It’s a space where you don’t need to translate your soul. It’s designed with you in mind,” Roni said.  

They said that people from within the racialized or queer community are not always comfortable in public spaces and they do not feel acknowledged or seen, but this is a space where those individuals can feel comfort and express themselves more freely. 

Noodle explained that last year’s QRIB hangouts went very well. However, Spectrum’s director changed earlier this year and the two organizations were not sure if they had funding for the hangouts this year. However, the new director was very supportive of the events. 

“Events like this are too important to the community for us not to prioritize funding for it,” Gomez said.  

She said events such as the QRIB hangout need to exist, saying that Spectrum continues to show commitment to supporting these hangouts, by applying for funding for racialized Indigenous Queers. 

These events have had a successful turnout so far, with returning participants and new individuals joining the hangout, these events also address local issues revolving around the racialized, queer, and Indigenous communities such as peer support, food insecurity, loneliness, and isolation.

#2SLGBTQIA_ #Black #colonialSupportModel #FoodInsecurity #healingFocused #Indigenous #Isolation #karlaGomez #KitchenerWaterloo #LocalArt #loneliness #PeerSupport #qrib #queer #racialized #RoniNoodle #SafeSpace #SangjunHan #Spectrum #WillowRiverCentre

KITCHENER PAUSES AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT CAMERA PROGRAM

On Oct. 28, 2024, the City of Kitchener paused the Region of Waterloo’s automated speed enforcement camera program until they could negotiate on certain aspects of the plan.

In 2021, the Region of Waterloo installed speed cameras in eight school zones.

“We started with just a few to see how it would go because we have a problem with speeding in many of the school zones,” Kari Williams, regional councillor for the City of Kitchener, said.

The speed enforcement cameras promote road safety by encouraging vehicles to travel at lower speeds at community hubs around school locations. The Region of Waterloo operates municipal speed cameras on regional and municipal roadways and installs them on behalf of some of the cities and communities in the region.

During a Kitchener council meeting on Oct 28, the councillors discussed the fines associated with the program.

“One of the issues was when we looked at this program in conjunction with the region. One of the things that we learned about was that fees will double,” Bil Ioannidis, councillor for Ward 7 in the City of Kitchener, said.

He said the Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener didn’t consult with Kitchener residents about this topic to help them form informed opinions. According to the Ontario Provincial Act, the newly implemented Municipal Speed Camera program must double its fines compared to current rates. Because of this, The City of Kitchener council is hesitant to continue the program.

“Because of economic times, such as we are experiencing now, we don’t feel residents get the message of the speeding when they get the fine on the normal rate with the province’s price range,” Ioannidis said.

“We feel like when they’re doubling the fines, it’s just a money grab,” he said.

Williams also said Kitchener had done a lot to physically put in infrastructure that would reduce speed in many areas.

“Cameras may not be effective in some instances,” she said. 

Although the program is currently paused, they have no intention of cancelling it.

“We want to have a project. We want to make sure we can dictate the terms of service that we feel Kitchener residents will accept,” Ioannidis said.

“If the community doesn’t like these cameras, we’re going to get a lot of pullback, and the system won’t work,” he said.

Ioannidis wants to ensure that the community will agree with the terms of the program before continuing it.

Instead of the 24/7 surveillance and the expensive fines proposed by the Region of Waterloo, the City of Kitchener wants to implement a time limit for the cameras and install them in other locations where they would have greater use, such as areas with high collision rates and places requiring more traffic and pedestrian safety.

The City of Kitchener said although they are pausing the program they still want to implement it. They just do not like the terms and conditions proposed by the region for the speed camera program.

“We also never signed any agreements with the region or anything that involves revenue sharing,” Ioannidis said.

“I don’t believe in having a system like this. I believe in a system where the pay revenue is neutral,” Ioannidis said. “I prefer not to have a system where it makes money.”

Williams said the region focused on doubling the fines because of their focus on administrative penalties and the fines people will receive for speeding in the area.

“But we don’t have any control over that. That is the province that tells you what the fines are and what the schedule is,” she said.

Ioannidis said the City of Kitchener will continue to work with the region until they can make acceptable decisions about the program.

“The City is in favour of speed cameras, but some technical aspects get in the way,” Williams said.

The City of Kitchener is planning to look into their speed enforcement camera system. They also seek a third-party operator to help them with the camera system.

#BilIoannidis #KariWilliams #MunicipalSpeedCameraProgram #RegionOfWaterloo #regionalCouncil #SangjunHan #SangjunHanPhoto #waterlooRegion

GUELPH’S INTERFAITH JUSTICE GROUP HOSTS BIKE RALLY FOR PALESTINE

https://communityedition.ca/guelphs-interfaith-justice-group-hosts-bike-rally-for-palestine/

#Gaza #genocide #Guelph #HibaSadi #InterfaithJustice #Israel #IsraelPalestine #KateNixon #Palestine #PeopleSPlazaForPalestine #SangjunHan #UniversityOfGuelph #ZaidShamsi