Empowering women through advocacy and education.

CFUW Ontario Council's voice for change comes straight from our members!

Each year members research and bring forward Resolutions that address issues they are concerned about — and once approved, these become the foundation for our public policy advocacy.

Check out everything you need to know about the RESOLUTION PROCESS on the website.

NEW for 2026: The deadline to inform the Advocacy chair know your club plans to submit a resolution is Oct 30. You can find the online fillable form Appendix A, Intent to Submit a Resolution form HERE

Questions: email Kathy, Advocacy Chair at advocacy@cfuwontcouncil.org

As the Ontario municipal elections approach, it’s time to focus on the level of government that directly shapes our everyday lives.

While federal and provincial politics often capture the headlines, local government makes the decisions that touch our homes and neighborhoods immediately, from public transit, affordable housing, and childcare services to local shelter supports, community safety, public health, and climate action. The issues that matter most to our families and communities are determined

locally.

That is precisely why voting in municipal elections is critical, and why CFUW members have a key role to play in getting both the message and voters out.

Local Advocacy Starts at Home: CFUW’s mission to advance gender equality, social justice, and education depends heavily on local implementation. When we advocate for accessible spaces, strong community services, and equitable policy frameworks, municipal councils are our primary partners and sometimes our biggest hurdles. Voting ensures we elect leaders who share a vision for inclusive, equitable communities.

Resources to Mobilize Your Community: CFUW Ontario Council encourages all Clubs to foster civic engagement in their local areas. To assist you in bringing non-partisan dialogue to your community, procedures and step-by-step toolkits for hosting All Candidates Meetings are available directly on the Ontario Council website. Hosting a meeting is one of the most effective ways to highlight key social issues and ask candidates where they stand on equity and community needs.

Supporting Women Candidates and Rejecting Aggression: Women remain underrepresented in local government. Running for municipal office takes immense courage, dedication, and effort. We must support women who put their names forward, whether that means casting your vote for them, volunteering on their campaign, helping distribute literature, or simply amplifying their message.

Equally important is protecting the democratic space for women leaders. Female candidates across Ontario face an alarming rise in online and in-person harassment, intimidation, and hostility. We cannot remain silent spectators to political aggression. Calling out toxicity and refusing to condone abuse directed at candidates is essential to keeping civic life safe, fair, and welcoming for women.

Take Action

• Check your voter registration and confirm your local polling location.

• Visit the CFUW Ontario Council website to access resources for running an All Candidates Meeting.

• Get involved in a campaign or offer encouragement and practical support to women running locally.

• Speak up against harassment and aggression whenever you see it.

Democracy is built from the ground up. Let’s lead the change in our communities by making our voices, and our votes, count.

It has been a summer of extremes throughout the province of Ontario, as well as throughout Canada and much of the world. Heat, smoke, fires and floods have impacted many communities. My thoughts are with those affected. I hope you were able to relax in nature with family and friends over the summer. One of my highlights was walking the boardwalk over Mike Schout Wetlands Preserve in New Hamburg, Ontario (pictured here).

September is a time to reconnect with our CFUW members and to renew our environmental advocacy efforts, both provincially and nationally. At Ontario Council we are delighted to launch a new website which will include a selection of resources. You may be interested in Project Drawdown, a platform for climate solutions. Also included is CFUW Stratford’s Sustainable Shopping Cart, winner of the 2026 Carolyn Day Award. CFUW St Catharines has willingly shared their resource, ‘Don’t Drain the Swamp: Why We Need Wetlands’. Planning is underway to share and learn with CFUW clubs in Ontario.

If you have Ontario-specific questions, suggestions, pictures or resources to share, I would be pleased to hear from you at ecc@cfuwontcouncil.org

Thanks, Sue Bailey

All-candidates meetings are one of the best things a CFUW club can offer during an election — a chance for your community to meet the people running for office, ask real questions, and make an informed choice. This guide walks you through everything you need, from your first planning meeting to your thank-you notes

For just $0.75/member, Ontario Council provides each club with Commercial General Liability coverage for your club and its events. Check out information on our website-all your quests answered, including how to obtain a copy of the Generic Insurance form.

In 2025, CFUW Owen Sound and Area's resolution to establish an independent Seniors' Advocate in Ontario passed at the OC AGM. The same year, the United Senior Citizens of Ontario (USCO) passed the same proposal. 

CFUW Owen Sound and USCO are looking for other organizations to join this movement to get an independent Seniors’ Advocate for Ontario.

GOAL: Get the Ontario government to fund an independent Seniors' Advocate who reports to all elected politicians and the public and does not work for the government.

What is an Independent Seniors’ Advocate

An independent Seniors' Advocate for Ontario would be an officer of the legislature, reporting to all elected politicians and the public — independent of the government of the day — who would be able to:

• Take complaints about services for seniors and follow up those complaints

• Review programs affecting older adults (health care, housing, transportation, etc.)

• Give ideas for making services better for seniors and keep track of the government’s answers to those ideas

• Give seniors a direct, independent voice in government decision-making

Find the full outline of CFUW Ontario Council's 2023 Resolution HERE

Find the Template letter for individuals and clubs HERE

Find the Owen Sound Poster HERE