October is a month to enjoy the seasonal transitions. The array of colour in the trees is a spectacular sight. An autumn hike, complete with the crunch of leaves underfoot, can be uplifting. As we prepare for the winter ahead, storing some of those leaves in our flower beds provides winter shelter and insulation for insects. When birds migrate back to Ontario in the spring, you can enjoy watching them forage through those leaves for a nutritious meal. Surviving insects will emerge to become our seasonal pollinators. Leaving leaves is a win-win.

Preparing for winter is another fall task. Charming is a winter scene with a snowy roof and icicles everywhere. Icicles hanging from a roof?! This can be a sign of heat loss which can contribute to higher usage of fossil fuels. It turns out that fall is a perfect time of year to insulate our attics. It is not too hot to work up there. Cellulose insulation is preferred as it emits fewer greenhouse gases. (Drawdown Explorer, 2026). Deploy Alternative Insulation Materials |

Project Drawdown®)

Enjoy some pumpkin spice, squash soup and preparations for the fall season! 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

It marks the day in 1929 when the historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons” was handed down by Canada’s highest court of appeal. This gave some women the right to be appointed to the Senate of Canada and paved the way for women's increased participation in public and political life. Though this decision did not include all women, such as

Indigenous women and women of Asian heritage and descent, it did mark critical progress in the advancement of gender equality in Canada.

In 1927, five women who have since become known as the Famous Five launched a legal challenge that would mark a turning point for equality rights in Canada. Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Henrietta Muir Edwards were journalists, politicians, reformers and activists from Alberta who asked the Supreme Court of Canada to answer the following question: does the word “person” in Section 24 of the BNA Act include female persons? After five weeks of debate, the Supreme Court decided that the word “person” did not include women. Although shocked by the Court’s decision, the Famous Five did not give up the fight and took their case to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain in London, which was then Canada’s highest court of appeal.  On October 18, 1929, the Privy Council ruled that women are persons under the law.

On Persons Day, we honour the bravery and determination of the Famous Five whose landmark case helped pave the way for women to participate equally in all aspects of life in Canada. We also honour all those whose work in the years since then has expanded and strengthened those rights.

In 2024, Ontario’s Bill 211 An Act to Proclaim Person’s Day received Royal Assent. Marking October 18 as Persons Day aims to inspire more girls, women and gender-diverse people to be nation builders, and to expand the circle of leaders so that everyone can contribute to building their communities and their country, and benefit from being a Canadian.

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

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament. The day honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Among the various visual elements illustrating Indigenous cultures, the circle is at the centre, which represents being together in spirit of reconciliation. The orange colour represents truth-telling and healing. The pathway represents the road to reconciliation.

The eagle represents First Nations. The narwal represents Inuit. The beaded flower represents Metis. https://www.canada.ca/en.html

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

Commemorating this day to honour Survivors and increase understanding of the history and legacy of Residential Schools is one step in a long journey towards truth-telling and meaningful reconciliation. 

The Learn and Reflect section of this Ontario webpage  has links to further information and support.

Kathy Wosnick

Advocacy Chair

September 20-26, 2026 is Gender Equality Week in Canada. It is a time to highlight progress made to advance gender equality, celebrate women’s achievements, and reaffirm Canada’s commitment to closing persistent gender gaps that hold too many back. 

Gender Equality Week was created through Bill C-309, the Gender Equality Week Act, (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/G-2.3/page-1.html) which became law on June 21, 2018. 

Check out celebrations and commemorations happening in your area

Submitted by CFUW Northumberland

We face important decisions in the coming municipal election. Our votes for Mayor and Councillors will set the stage for the kind of housing we need in the next four years and beyond. 

Open the PDF file to find the key issues to discuss with candidates.

In 1992, the Government of Canada designated October as Women’s History Month, marking the beginning of an annual celebration of the outstanding achievements of women and girls throughout Canada’s history. It’s a time to celebrate women and girls from our past and present who are contributing to a better more inclusive Canada. 

The theme for Women's History Month in 2026 is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future” as designated by the National Women’s History Alliance. 

Learn more

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

Just a reminder that any clubs with 60 or fewer regular and life members, and that sent a delegate to the CFUW OC AGM in Peterborough, are eligible for a grant equivalent to the OC dues they paid in 2026.

The deadline to apply is November 1, 2026 and the application form can be found on the website, link below.

October 11 is International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to celebrating the voices and power of girls, championing their rights worldwide, and reflecting on the challenges they continue to face because of their gender.

Canada led the international effort to establish this day to draw attention to the persistent inequalities and dangers that too many girls face around the world. The United Nations subsequently adopted a resolution to formally recognize this important date.

Across Canada and around the world, girls are making an impact and creating positive change in their communities and far beyond. They are leading the way as students, entrepreneurs, volunteers and activists, and proving that you are never too young to shape the future and improve the lives of others.

Provincial Recognition: The Government of Ontario highlights the day as part of Women’s History Month in October, emphasizing investments in programs that help young women and girls overcome barriers and excel in leadership, STEM, and skilled trades.

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.

Education in Ontario remains in a flux with funding issues resulting in classrooms short in teachers, support workers, supplies and cuts to programs that lead to success in school. We need to continue to put pressure on this government to make quality education for all students a priority.

OSAP remains an important issue in post-secondary education. Although students are now living with this reality we still need to advocate on their behalf to make post-secondary education financially accessible for all students and their families.

Over the past few years, I have become very interested in School Food Programs. Since the commitment from the Federal Government to create Canada’s School Food Program to provide $1 billion over 5 years in schools across the country, to reduce hunger and improve health and learning outcomes, many organizations are committed to bring healthy food to Ontario schools. Unfortunately, Ontario remains near the bottom in the financial support they provide for School Food programs compared to other provinces.

During the summer I was pleased to be part of a School Food Summer Learning Lab at Lakehead University in Orillia in partnership with the Ontario Coalition for School Food and the Sharing Place Food Centre. It was a learning experience in the gardens, kitchen and classrooms. to connect food, education and health. Our conversations pointed towards the need for nutritious food in schools, and the on-going need for food literacy activities to address the increasing levels of food insecurity in our communities and strengthen equitable school food programs.

I have just outlined a few issues in Ontario Education. I will continue to advocate for all these issues. Our youth deserve to feel safe, supported and encouraged in their quest for a good start in life. Children who are in school and have nutritious food available are more likely to stay in school and learn.

I look forward to working with all Ontario Council CFUW Clubs and I always welcome your input and interest.

Kind regards,

Wendy Taylor

CFUW Ontario Council Education Chair

On September 18th, non-governmental organizations and international bodies unite to mark International Equal Pay Day. Initiated by the United Nations, this day calls for action toward realizing equal pay for work of equal value—a fundamental human right that remains unfulfilled for millions of women.

Here in Ontario, the reality of the gender wage gap continues to demand our advocacy. According to recent data, average annual earnings for women in Ontario remain roughly 31% lower than those of men—a figure that widens significantly for racialized women, Indigenous women, newcomer women, and women living with disabilities.

For CFUW Ontario Council members, pay equity is not merely an abstract economic concept; it directly shapes the lifelong financial security of women across our communities.

Key priorities intersecting with our Status of Women and Human Rights mandate include:

• The Gender Pension Gap: Lifetime wage inequities translate directly into retirement insecurity. In Canada, senior women face a 17% to 18% gender pension gap, leaving single and older women disproportionately vulnerable to low income in their later years.

• Universal, High-Quality Childcare: Access to affordable, dependable early learning and childcare is the cornerstone of economic participation. Without robust early learning infrastructure, caregiving responsibilities continue to fall disproportionately on women, leading to career interruptions and involuntary part-time work.

• Pay Transparency & Equity Enforcement: Strengthening provincial legislative frameworks and ensuring transparency in compensation structures are essential to holding employers accountable and dismantling systemic pay bias.

• Valuing Care & Public Sector Work: Female-dominated fields—such as healthcare, social services, and early childhood education—remain underfunded and undervalue the vital contributions of women workers.

As CFUW members, our collective voice is one of our most powerful tools. This September 18th, let us renew our commitment to advocacy. Engage with local representatives, support community coalitions, and champion policies that guarantee equal pay for equal value—ensuring economic justice for generations to come.