CSJ Newsletter
April 24, 2025
CALLS TO ACTION
Support The Peace PartnershipThe Peace Partnership, a broad coalition of dozens of organizations, movements, groups and parties was established in December 2023. It has since organized joint Jewish-Arab public events against the war and the occupation across Israel. The partnership is built on agreement over five basic principles:
- An immediate cease-fire agreement to end the war
- An immediate prisoners and hostages deal
- Promoting a political solution that will lead to an inclusive and sustainable peace
- Ending racist and political persecution
- Promotion of national and civil equality and an end to the neglect and discrimination of marginalized populations - who are the first to pay the price of the war
givingtech.org
Tell Council: Protect Our Freedom to ProtestToronto City Council is considering a by-law that could limit our Charter-protected freedom to protest. Protests, strikes, and pickets are signs of a healthy democratic society.
With Donald Trump attacking Canada's sovereignty and the freedom to protest in the U.S., we must protect our Canadian Rights and Freedoms. Tell your City Councillor and Mayor Olivia Chow to protect our freedoms as laid out by the Charter.
progresstoronto.ca
EVENTS
A Left Program for the Future of Labour
When: Thursday April 24th, 3pm
Where: Room 140, HNES Building Keele Campus, York University
Raquel Varela is a social historian and researcher in global labour history. She is an assistant professor at Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Autonomous Section on Education and General Training). She is the President of the Observatory for Living and Working Conditions and coordinator of Social Data/Nova Sustainability. Her area of research pertains to social sciences and humanities, with an emphasis on the subjects of history of revolutions and the labour movement, history and global sociology of work, and a global perspective on education and work. She is the author of
A People's History of the Portuguese Revolution and
A People's History of Europe From World War I to Today (Pluto Press).
facebook.com
Freedom Fete
When: April 24th, 7pm
Where: Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave
Tickets are sliding scale from $20-50
Raise money for the Toronto Community Justice Fund.
Supporting the legal costs of all 100+ people arrested across the GTA for solidarity with Palestine.
Live music with DJ Heebiejabi and DJ Zehra!
facebook.com
The World Under Capitalism
When: Thursday April 24th, 7pm
Where: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St
TPL and Toronto Metropolitan University present Serbian-American economist and Senior Scholar at the City University in New York, Branko Milanovic, in conversation with Sanjay Ruparelia at the Toronto Reference Library's Appel Salon.
As a leading economist best known for his work on income distribution and inequality, Branko Milanovic holds a profound understanding of how economic theory and history are intertwined.
We live in a world defined by capitalism. Historically, it has delivered general prosperity through a variety of systems, from liberal market economies to progressive social democracies. However, capitalism always comes with moral costs. It often celebrates material success at the expense of growing economic inequalities and generates political instability.
eventbrite.ca
Trump's Tariffs: Building a Working-Class Response
When: Thursday April 24th, 7pm
Where: College Street United Church, 502 Bathurst St
US President Trump's tariffs and trade policies represent a fundamental attack on Canadian working people. In our workplaces and communities,we are faced with layoffs, intensified attacks on social programs and rights, job security and potentially deep economic recession.
Given Canada's integration and trade dependence with the US, working class, left, and environmental organizations have to find ways to debate collective strategies, share our analyses, defend working people, and build a challenge to business and business-oriented governments.
tickettailor.com
Walrus Talks: Tariffs
When: Friday April 25th, 12pm
The “America First” policies of the new Trump administration have dramatically altered long-standing US trade relationships. Despite our status as a trusted ally and major trade partner, Canada has been a target in the brewing global trade war. The on-again-off-again nature of the tariff attacks makes it more difficult to develop a strong and sound response.
eventbrite.ca
Day of Action for Gaza
When: April 25th, 6pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Join us in answering the global call to action for April 25th from journalists, doctors and civil society of Gaza. For 18 months, the Palestinian people of Gaza have been subject to a horrific genocide carried out by Israel with the partnership and complete support of the United States.
instagram.com |
Facebook poster
People's Assembly for Housing Justice
When: April 25th, 6:30pm and April 26th 10am
Where: Toronto PWA Foundation, 4th floor, 163 Queen St E
Building a powerful movement for #housingjustice in Toronto.
A coalition made up of neighbourhood groups including 230 Fightback, York-South Weston Tenant Group, and others, are inviting the community of housing advocates to convene for a People's Assembly on Housing Justice with the goal of networking, educating, and mobilizing.
tdin.ca |
docs.google.com |
video
Organizing 101 /w IWW
When: April 26 – 27, 9am – 5pm
The IWW's Organizer Training 101 (OT101) is a skill-based training that will teach you how to organize a union at your job, take action and win better working conditions for you and your coworkers.
The training consists of two 8-hour sessions. We'll contact you closer to the date with location details. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
docs.google.com
TTCriders: Canvassing at Eglinton Station
When: April 26th, 10am
Where: Eglinton Station, Yonge & Eglinton entrance
Join TTCriders volunteers on Saturday April the 26th to talk to transit riders at Eglinton station about the upcoming federal election and how we can win better transit for Toronto. We need our politicians and party leaders to commit to sustainable public transit funding and to fix the TTC!
ttcriders.ca
Earth Day 2025
When: April 26th, 1pm
Where: Allan Gardens, 19 Horticultural Ave
A colorful, attractive, interactive, galvanizing event, bringing people together under “one big tent” to talk about how climate is related to the necessities of life. Speakers will focus on aspects of what we need: a hospitable atmosphere with clean air and water, access to food, housing and work, Indigenous rights, and justice for equity-seeking groups.
Facebook
Workers' Day 2025
When: April 26th, 6:30pm
Where: Steelworkers' Hall, 25 Cecil St
The Future Is Ours - Workers for Peace and a Better World
Join the United May Day Committee (UMDC) in celebrating workers around the world, the struggles, the gains, the future.
Under the theme of “Workers for Peace and a Better World,” the event will offer an evening full of thought-provoking speakers, talented performers and tasty food prepared by the Committee of Progressive Pakistani-Canadians.
Facebook poster
Screening: Art & Activism of Carole Condé & Karl Beveridge
When: April 26th, 7pm
Where: 51 Stuart Street, Hamilton
This wide ranging documentary unpacks the fascinating careers and lives of two of WAHC's co- founders, and explores the activism that was central to their personal lives and creative practice.
This screening is part of a series of events celebrating May Day. Join us a for a tour of the Condé Memorial Collection on April 24th and a May Day Picnic on May 1, presented in partnership with the HDLC.
Facebook event
Rally for Cuba
When: April 27th, 1pm
Where: 361 University Ave
Join our monthly protests to end the immoral US blockade and take Cuba off the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
Facebook
Day of Mourning
Event 1: Monday, April 28th, 12pm
Larry Sefton Park, 500 Bay St
Event 2: Monday, April 28th, 11am
Woodbridge Memorial Arena, 5020 Hwy 7, Woodbridge
Join us in-person on Monday, April 28 to mark the Day of Mourning in Toronto and York Region. We will hold a heartfelt tribute in two locations for the numerous workers who have tragically lost their lives, suffered injuries, or faced illnesses because of workplace incidents.
Let's stand united in remembrance and passionately advocate for the safety and well-being of all workers.
labourcouncil.ca |
Facebook
Canadian Foreign Policy Hour with Yves Engler
When: Mondays at 6pm
Join author Yves Engler on Mondays for a weekly news roundup and interactive discussion about Canada's role abroad. This weekly session will delve into the latest developments on subjects ranging from military affairs and Canada's role in Ukraine to its contribution to Palestinian dispossession, and the exploitation of African resources. Join Yves for a critical take on Canada's foreign policy. Questions, comments, and criticisms are all welcome.
zoom.us
Understanding Zionism
When: April 29th to May 16th
Over the course of 6 sessions, participants will deepen their comprehension of Zionism with the aim of expanding their engagement in the movement for Palestinian liberation. Together, the course provides answers to the following questions: What is the history, origins, and foundational principles of Zionism? How have Palestinian revolutionaries understood Zionism? How and why did the “special relationship” between Israel and the US emerge? How has Zionism advanced right-wing forces in partnership with the US? What is the path forward for the global movement for Palestine today?
peoplesforum.org
FilmSocial: Brazil
When: Wednesday April 30th, 7pm
Where: Eyesore Cinema, Toronto, ON
Free/PWYC
The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is very pleased to present
BRAZIL as the latest installment in the ongoing FilmSocial series.
Written and directed by Terry Gilliam, the movie is set in a dystopian world where the main character, Sam Lowry, starts to wake up to the reality of his techno-bureaucratic society when he notices a mistake that leads to the death of an innocent person.
tickettailor.com
ARTICLES
Canada Must Protect Palestinian Healthcare workers, End Genocide
By Canadian Union of Public Employees
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is demanding urgent action to end Israeli military attacks on Palestinian first responders and healthcare workers in Gaza, and to stop the ongoing genocide. CUPE represents 190,000 healthcare workers, including over 9,000 paramedics and first responders across Canada.
Source:
The Bullet No. 3124
The Carnation Revolution of Portugal Today
By Raquel Varela
In an unmistakable style in the form of a provocative lecture in Lisbon in 2024, at the age of 84 Father Martins Júnior asked: “50 years later, what irony! There are 50 fascists, one for each year, in Parliament. How is this possible?” He made these remarks 50 years after the Carnation Revolution (25 April 1974). Father Martins Júnior was the parish priest of Machico on the island of Madeira, a Portuguese region that, until 1974, had a colonial regime in which the colonists had to give up half of the produce of their labour to the landlord. Father Martins Júnior led peasants to occupy land in 1975, and helped embroiderers build cooperatives to bypass capital exploitation.
Source:
The Bullet No. 3125
Toronto Moves to Limit the Right to Protest
By Coalition for Charter Rights and Freedoms
The type of bylaw that the City of Toronto is currently considering threatens the fundamental freedoms and equality rights enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Irrespective of how it is designed, any bylaw restricting protest near locations defined as “vulnerable institutions” risks effectively banning protests anywhere in downtown Toronto. It is unacceptable that our City Council, who bears the duty to enhance participation in civic life for all, are instead working to restrict our ability to have our voices heard.
Source:
The Bullet No. 3126
Booklaunch: Against the Crisis
If crisis defines our era, we need a coherent socialist policy in response. Today's economic and ecological crises are not exceptions to an otherwise functioning system but integral to its operation. It is naive to see these upheavals as opportunities for reform or revolution. They are the bedrock of the status quo. Fortunately, the vicious circle sustaining capitalism is not founded on an iron law. Our historical mission in the face of the climate crisis is to create a historical exception to the rule. It is time for ecosocialism against crisis. Capitalism produces crises and crises reproduce capitalism. We need an ecosocialist way out.
Source:
LeftStreamed
EMPLOYMENT
Executive Director, The Council of Canadians
Led by and reporting to a very dedicated and committed Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will be a values-based and strategic leader driven to support the mission and priorities of the Council of Canadians.
The Executive Director is responsible for the overall management of the organization, ensuring effective systems for program development, evaluation, and innovation. These programs must meet the strategic objectives of the organization while maintaining a strong financial foundation and priorities established by the Board of Directors.
Salary Range: Base annual $110,000 (under review) with a comprehensive benefits package and flexible working conditions.
Send your resume, in confidence, to hr@canadians.org. Applications close on May 5, 2025.
canadians.org
Union Staff Rep
CUPE Local 1281 is seeking a part-time (24hrs/wk) temporary Staff Representative with extensive experience in collective bargaining and grievance handling, who lives within the Greater Toronto Area.
charityvillage.com