8:00 am  Registration/Breakfast

Memorial Hall, Burgundy Room

9:00 am  Forum Introduction

Memorial Hall, Burgundy Room

Welcome:

Joe Bogoroch, National President, B’nai Brith Canada

Greetings from the Government of Ontario: 

David Zimmer, M.P.P., Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General of Ontario

Setting the Context:

Marvin Kurz, Forum Chair, National Legal Counsel, B’nai Brith Canada

9:15 am  Plenary Panel

Memorial Hall, Burgundy Room

VOICES OF THE VICTIMS: IS ANYONE OUT THERE LISTENING?

Representatives from Ontario’s diverse communities describe their encounters with hate, while official from government and the law enforcement sector give their perspective on the present challenges.

Moderator:

Ruth Klein, National Director, League for Human Rights, B’nai Brith Canada

Speakers:

• Reverend Don Meredith, Chair, GTA Faith Alliance
• Imam Abdul Hai Patel, Director of Interfaith Relations, Canadian Council of Imams; former Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission
• Howard Shulman, Coordinator, 519 Church Street Community Centre
• Professor Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Aboriginal Studies & Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto

Response from Professionals

• Ralph Agard, Director, Human Rights and Organizational Change, Ministry of Community and Correctional Services
• Detective Sergeant Steve Irwin, Intelligence Services, Toronto Police Service
• James Truman, Ontario Victim Services Secretariat, Ministry of the Attorney General

10:30 am  Question & Answer

11:00 am  Break

11:15 am  Round Table Discussions

AN INTER-COMMUNITY DIALOGUE: SHARING EXPERIENCES AND APPROACHES

Led by a facilitator from groups targeted by hate, the Round Table Discussions will open a dialogue between community members from different minority groups, providing an opportunity to share experiences and discuss ways in which identified challenges can be overcome. A set of five questions will be provided to each facilitator to guide the conversation.

Facilitator:

• Abdi Hashised, Executive Director, Somali-Canadian Cultural Club; Executive Director, Jane Alliance Neighbourhood Services

Gold Room A

Facilitator:

• Victor Wong, Executive Director, Chinese Canadian National Council

Gold Room B

Facilitator:

• Delia Opekokew, Aboriginal Lawyer

Committee Room #2

Facilitator:

• Ron Banerjee, Director, Canadian Hindu Advocacy

Facilitator:

• Cathy Mackenzie, Board Member, Niagara Pride Support Services Inc.

12:30 pm  Report of the Facilitators to the Main Plenary

Chair:

• Marvin Kurz, National Legal Counsel, B’nai Brith; Forum Chair

1:00 pm  Networking Lunch

• Memorial Hall, Burgundy Room

2:00 pm  Plenary Panel

• Memorial Hall, Burgundy Room

FRONTLINE ACTIVISTS WORKING TOWARDS SOLUTIONS

A panel of professionals describe their experiences on the frontlines of countering hatred, comparing case studies that illustrate the ongoing struggle in the province for lasting solutions to prejudice and descrimination. Respondents outline the strategies of those who train the next generation of workers in the field of equity and diversity.

Moderator:

• Zul Kassamali, Vice President, Association of Progressive Muslims of Ontario

• Nawal Al-Busaidi, Program Coordinator, Arab Community Centre of Toronto
• Anita Bromberg, National Director of Legal Affairs, B’nai Brith Canada
• Zahra Dhanani, Legal Director, Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children
• Uzma Shakir, former Executive Director, Council of Agencies Serving South Asians; former President, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants

Respondents:

• Patrick Case, Director, Human Rights and Equity Office, University of Guelph                                                                                                                                                                Lloyd McKell, Executive Officer, Student and Community Equity, Toronto District School Board 
• Superintendent F. Darren Smith, Unit Commander, Training and Education, Charles O. Bick College, Toronto Police Force

3:15 pm  Question & Answer

3:45 pm  Break

• Gold Room

THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN COUNTERING HATE

Panelists will focus on the role of media in responding to hatred, and discuss ways in which this sector can work with community groups to counter hate/bias crimes.

Moderator:

• Spider Jones, CFRB Commentator

Speakers:

• Raheel Raza, Media Consultant       
• Joe Brean, National Post
• Nicholas Keung, Toronto Star
• Karlene Nation, CTV Toronto

• Memorial Hall, Burgundy Room

Introduction:

• Justice Sandra Chapnik, Superior Court of Justice

Keynote Speaker,

• Honourable Roy McMurtry, Chancellor, YorkUniversity; former Chief Justice of Ontario

7:30 pm  Anti-Hate Face-Off

Council Chambers:

• A diverse panel of youth, and community professionals, will meet in a face-off that will challenge participants to come up with solutions that reflect the needs and interests of the next generation.
• Farley Flex, Canadian Idol Judge
• Presentation of Student Human Rights Award Ontario winners

Panelists:

• Jeremy Dias, Director and Founder, Jer’s Vision: Canada’s Youth Diversity Initiative
• Professor Carl James, Department of Education, York University
• Constable Scott Mills, School Officer, Toronto Crime Stoppers (Student/Police Liaison)
• Chukuma Okonkwl, Youth Assisting Youth
• Latisha Rose, Harmony Movement
• Nayani Thiyugarajah, Toronto Youth Cabinet, City of Toronto