First and foremost Canadians need to stop participating in elections en masse. This so called "voting with your feet" only works when the vast majority of citizens express their disgust at what passes for professional politicians in Canada by refusing to participate in such a rigged process.  

A total and complete abandonment of the two parties who solely have run Canada for the last century or so. Yes both parties have occasionally stepped up and taken control during a crisis and actually provided good governance at least on the occasional issue. It's the everyday propaganda, lies and bullsh** constantly fed to the people that enrages me. Both the Liberals and Conservatives have totally ignored transparency and accountability when it suits their purposes. Both parties have abandoned the public interest (think climate change) in order to reassure their corporate donors (think oil & gas). That said I would agree that the Conservatives aren't even trying regarding the climate change  portfolio other than in name.

First past the post elections need to end. Trudeau promised they would but he's just one more liar among many. Every vote must count and must have some weight and bearing on the outcome. This is called proportional representation and the Liberals and Tories hate it. Guess why?

Whether the NDP, Greens and others would rise strong from such a radical turnaround I do not know but the Libs and Cons can't just change names and come back with the same faces and money behind them.  They are both inherently and intrinsically corrupt and need to be booted to the curb whether for a five, ten or twenty year timeout or even forever I do not know. Yes experience counts when governing a country but so does entrenched corruption and the best definition of that is self-serving rule versus ruling in the public interest. 

Geez even with mistakes and errors made by inexperienced rulers it still would be so great to believe that all levels of our governments are ruling in the true public interest.

Cadence Bishop joins us as our new Performing Arts Summer Camp Director, bringing over a decade of experience inspiring young performers through accessible, engaging theatre education. A trained playwright with a background in drama instruction across Milton, Mississauga, and Toronto, Cadence has written and directed more than 15 original plays performed by her students. Her passion lies in helping children aged 6 to 14 develop confidence, creativity, and stage skills through hands-on learning in improvisation, tableaux, acting, and performance.

This summer, Cadence will lead our Kinder, Junior Stars, and Centre Stage Performing Arts Camps — helping to shape the next generation of performers with energy, imagination, and heart.

♦ Learn more and register for Summer Camps here

We also welcome Myles D. Rusak as our new Senior Manager, Programming. A nationally recognized arts and culture leader, Myles has spent over 20 years curating live events and building memorable audience experiences across North America. From launching Toronto’s newest outdoor stadium venue (The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium) to revitalizing legacy festivals and consulting on major cultural strategies, Myles brings a powerful mix of strategic vision and creative innovation.

He has held senior roles with The Feldman Agency, Niagara Falls Tourism, and the Burlington Sound of Music Festival, where his bold programming and community-first approach earned national acclaim and multiple industry awards. At Centre In The Square, Myles will focus on delivering inclusive, high-impact programming that showcases both iconic artists and rising stars.

We are thrilled to have him helping to shape the future of live performance in our community.

The Mir compositor

C++ 688 3 issues need help Updated Apr 29

Miracle is a Wayland tiling window manager built on Mir

C++ 540 Updated Apr 29

When: Sunday May 4th, 1:00-2:30pm

Meeting Point: At the City of Guelph Bus Stop on the north side of Niska Rd in front of the YMCA

Walk Leader: Laura and Kathy

Come walk with us down the historic Niska Rd. Learn about how this area has evolved from pre-colonization until present times. We will share what we know about how important citizen involvement and advocacy has been in protecting the Hanlon Creek Watershed. Learn about the history of the Kortright Waterfowl Park. Once a world class nature facility with 10,000 visitors a year it is now under threat of development. It was purchased with public money by the Grand River Conservation Authority and placed into the Hanlon Creek Conservation Area in order to protect it and to provide nature based experiences as Guelph grew and urbanized. Sadly, the conservation park plan was never implemented. Along our walk you can view this land and share your vision of how the land can be used for public benefit. Also view the beautiful Speed River. We will travel down Niska to the Speed River along the public sidewalk which is wheelchair accessible all the way to the river learning the history of the area and the road along the way. On the way back weather permitting we will walk along the trail at Ptarmigan through the forest viewing the Hanlon creek with its brook trout along the way. Our walks end at the starting point. This part of the walk may be muddy can be rough and is non wheelchair accessible. Well behaved dogs on leash are welcome. English will be spoken

Our walk will also be held on Saturday May 10 at 1 pm

My understanding is that this tour which followed an interesting one in April 2019 is to somehow give TRAC members and specialty guests a better idea of the topography  (lay of the land) and landforms on the east side of the Creek. Of course the plan in 2019 was to defuse any suggestions that Uniroyal Chemical's liquid wastes flowed across the property line from Uniroyal onto the Stroh farm.  That ship has however already sailed as Chemtura/Lanxess did their usual abbreviated and minimal "cleanup" along the property line between the Stroh farm and Uniroyal. High concentrations of both DDT and dioxins/furans were found in about a twenty metre wide swath of land running most of the way from north to south along the property line. Of course by not doing soil sampling much farther away from the Uniroyal site they "scoped" the whole process down as they always favour doing in order to save shareholders' money and the public interest be damned.  Also continuing along the scoping path, again for the same reasons ($),  they only sampled and excavated the top 15 cm (5.9 inches) of soil.  The vast majority of the site, especially in the most likely areas, has been intentionally ignored. Only professional liars with the full backing of our municipal, regional and provincial politicians would dare to pull off the magnitude of this coverup.

Maybe various GHD twits like Luis and Allan  are capable of carrying the day in selling their version of reality to TRAC members who have proven their deferential natures and willingness to hold their noses during public meetings. It's also generally easy to bull**it media folks with little to no understanding of the big picture and who have been instructed not to become better informed about the details. Such a disappointment the media have become over the last twenty years. Investigative journalism my a**.  

Hi everyone, in this article I’m going to talk about how I made an AI chatbot using the DeepSeek-R1 model, the challenges I faced & how I solved them. Let’s start!

I wanted to make a project that challenges me so that I can get more experience with AI projects because, in fact, these types of projects aren’t in my comfort zone.

I started with planning which features I would want in my chatbot and which tools/technologies would provide me with these features.

The template To-Do List was:

• Basic chatbot that contains greetings, FAQs, and support tickets
• Integrate an NLP model
• Fallback mechanisms
• Develop UI

I watched a YouTube video in order to get the DeepSeek-R1 API Key; you can get the API Key in any way you prefer.

I decided to go with spaCy for the NLP & ML stage, but I couldn’t download it somehow and got really frustrated; I researched solutions on StackOverflow, asked ChatGPT, but I believe it was a problem with my computer, so I decided to continue another way.

Then I tried the NLTK library; at first try it didn’t generate a response. Eventually, I figured out that the problem was the messages in the “FAQs” part, so be careful with that. If the messages are one line but too long, I think it overwhelms the model or your interpreter.

I fixed the problem by arranging the messages and asking more detailed questions.

First conversation was:

User: “Hello, I have a question about my account.”

Bot: “Hello! I’m just a virtual assistant, so I don’t have feelings, but I’m here to help you with whatever you need. How can I assist you today?”

I decided to add fallback responses. It worked, but the generation time seemed quite long.

For the user interface, I thought to design a GUI with the CustomTkinter library. By adding these features, I fixed the time problem, too.

But another problem occurred: not being able to chat continuously. It gives an error if you ask a second question.

I also didn’t like the GUI that much. I wanted it to be like a real chat application (which seems like two people are chatting with each other), so I made a change like that.

In this experiment, it didn’t take much time to respond.

I added a database feature in order to store chat history. I preferred SQLite, but I’m planning to switch to Postgresql for future enhancements. I had a problem with record adding, but I figured out that it was a problem with the connection between the database.py file and the main file.

Currently, we have both the Customers & Messages tables in the database so that users can see their chat history with the bot, and they can log in to the system before starting to chat. I was going to add an authentication system, but it got so messy — the whole project was almost done within one hour! I handled it eventually, but it was a terrible experience, intense debugging sessions with Chatgpt, etc…

Finally, with this project, I gained experience with NLP libraries, backend–frontend transitions like UI and database connections. I encountered so many errors, but each one of them taught me so much. Now, I have a working AI-powered Customer Support Chatbot, and my next steps would be switching to PostgreSQL and fully implementing the user authentication system.

Thank you for reading. If you have any questions about technical processes or any other topic, please feel free to ask me.

Building a Custom AI Chatbot for Customer Support Using Python & DeepSeek-R1 was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

When I first started exploring technical writing, I didn’t come from a design background. I didn’t have years of experience in writing jobs either.
What I did have was curiosity — and a willingness to learn by doing.

So I jumped in:

• I took a Technical Writing course on Coursera
• I wrote articles.
• I studied documentation material from companies
• I practiced explaining tech concepts as clearly as I could.

And somewhere along the way, I noticed something surprising:
The deeper I got into technical writing, the more I started picking up on UX (User Experience) principles too.

Not because I set out to, but because good writing and good UX are more connected than I ever realized.

This is me sharing what I have noticed so far — and what I hope resonates with others who are just starting as well.

When I first heard “design,” I thought about colors, logos, and sleek UI layouts. Writing felt like a completely separate world — something you added later.

But technical writing quickly showed me otherwise.

When a user lands on a help page, tutorial, or documentation, their experience is shaped just as much by the words as by the visuals. In fact, sometimes the words are the design.

Good technical writing shapes the user’s journey by:

• Making complex ideas easy to understand
• Guiding users to the right information without frustration
• Building confidence with clear, concise language

I realized: every heading, paragraph, and sentence is like part of a map. If the map is cluttered or confusing, users get lost. If it’s clean and logical, users move forward effortlessly.

Writing is designing an experience. FOR YOUR READER.

There were moments I re-read my drafts and thought, “Well, this makes sense to me.”

But I had to start asking a harder question: “Would this make sense to someone new?”

That shift changed everything.

I began editing with the user in mind, not just myself:

• Cutting jargon that felt “impressive” but didn’t serve clarity
• Breaking up the cluster of text into short paragraphs and bullet points
• Adding clear structures: headings, steps, numbered lists

The goal wasn’t just accuracy anymore.

The goal was usability.

Because in both technical writing and UX, correctness is not enough. If the user feels lost, the product — or the content — has failed them.

One unexpected advantage of being a beginner is that you’re still close to the mindset of someone who’s new. I haven’t forgotten what it’s like to be confused, overwhelmed, or unsure.

So I constantly ask myself:

• Where would I get stuck if I were new to this?
• What step would trip me up?
• What would make me give up or click away?

By staying connected to that beginner mindset, I am able to write with more empathy. I’m not just explaining to users — I’m trying to walk with them.

This empathy is the core of UX — whether you’re designing an app or writing a getting-started guide for the user.

At first, I thought UX was all about visuals — smooth buttons, beautiful layouts. But writing tutorials taught me something deeper:

UX is also about flow.

If steps are out of order, even if every sentence is technically correct, users get frustrated. If a process feels heavy, complicated, or jumpy, users lose trust — not just in the content, but in the product itself.

Good flow means:

• Presenting information in a natural, logical sequence
• Grouping related ideas together
• Reducing mental effort by anticipating user questions before they arise

I learned:
Flow isn’t a nice extra — it’s essential for creating momentum and trust momentum.

And even in something as “simple” as a user guide.

Here’s how I’m blending technical writing and UX thinking as I continue learning:

• Writing short, focused Medium articles that explain one idea clearly (instead of trying to say everything at once)
• Requesting feedback, especially asking others where they felt confused or overwhelmed
• Studying product docs from companies like Stripe, Notion, and Linear to see how they structure information
• Practicing by creating help articles, FAQs, and tiny tutorials for imaginary products (a great low-pressure exercise)
• Paying attention to my own friction points when using apps, reading docs, or onboarding — and asking why I got stuck

Every mistake I make becomes a lesson. Every confusing moment I feel becomes a guidepost for what not to do in my writing.

I don’t have years of experience yet. I don’t have big titles.

But what I do have is:

• Curiosity
• A willingness to learn
• The ability to reflect and adapt

And that’s enough to start.

UX isn’t something reserved for product designers. It’s something that shows up every time we:

• Write with empathy
• Edit with clarity
• Think about how someone else will experience our work, not just read it

As beginners — whether in tech writing, UX, or any creative craft — that mindset matters more than fancy credentials.

Because ultimately, it’s not about making things look good or sound smart.
It’s about making things easier for someone else.

And that’s a craft worth practicing.

What Technical Writing is Teaching Me About UX (As a Beginner) was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Most of the  TAG members however departed at the end of the meeting and apparently weren't too interested in hearing and seeing data and information which didn't follow the company's narrative. Off the top of my head I might guess that the TAG meeting was in January 2019. I most certainly remember how embarrassingly stupid both Luis and Ramin were. In hindsight they knew that I would get zero support from TAG so they got cocky making stupid statements about water not running uphill and pouring a single bucket of water onto the ground to determine surface flow direction. More details of this meeting were provided here at the the time.

I seriously didn't believe that they were that incredibly arrogant and blatantly willing to lie so that any honest person should have been outraged. Both Ramin and Luis denied all logic and all facts not out of confidence that they could defend their position but out of confidence that TAG members would simply ignore the obvious when it didn't align with Lanxess's and GHD's positions.

This is what the Elmira cleanup has become: a chat group around a table occasionally trying to get Lanxess's attention here or there but mostly just rubberstamping their directives. Somehow TAG have confused truth seeking with ongoing support for the collusion between Woolwich, the Region, Lanxess, GHD and the Ministry of Environment. Apparently disputes and differences of opinion are best resolved through getting rid of the dissenters.

Now and then, I read something on social media that makes me think deeply about my work. The latest? A post by inclusion and belonging strategist Rachel Ann Williams, where she wrote,

“The past decade of DEI work was about difference — celebrating identity, illuminating disparities, and amplifying voices too often ignored. It was a time of research, reckoning, learning, and unlearning. Of allyship in its early forms.”

Williams added, “But the next decade will be defined by something more profound: our shared humanity.”

She believes that action across lines of difference will be the driving force moving forward. “We’ll still honor the truth of our lived experiences, but we’ll also lean harder into our interconnectedness. The future of this work will be about cross-cultural coalitions, emotional intelligence, empathy in action, and building communities of care.”

(On a related note, I’ve been reading about how some colleges and universities are embracing pluralism as a strategy for what comes after DEI. Specifically, they are designing programs to support a community of people with differing points of view. Source: The New Yorker)

How might you nurture interconnectedness in your workplace?

Keep reading for some specific ideas.

Share this action on Bluesky, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, or YouTube.

A few years ago, I remember reading a New York Times Daily newsletter that highlighted what’s been happening in the U.S. Supreme Court. Adam Liptak, who covers SCOTUS for the newspaper, shared:

“I was at the court in person for several arguments this month, and so far the justices seem to be making a point of trading quips and acknowledging points of agreement. You hear them saying things like, As Justice So-and-so was saying or, Let me build on that point. It seems to be a conscious effort to rebuild relationships that have become a little frayed.”

Let’s all strive to acknowledge points of agreement with our colleagues and build relationships (even if they aren’t frayed). A simple “Let me build on what So-and-So was saying” could go a long way toward a stronger feeling of interconnectedness.

While doing research for my book Better Allies, I heard from many women that their male supervisor would look at their peers when asking questions, ignoring them (the only woman) in small group meetings. Or, in 1-on-1 sessions, their manager would look at the floor or out the window. As a result, they felt unwelcome. At times, even invisible.

On the other hand, I’ve learned that autistic people may find eye contact uncomfortable. And in certain cultures, eye contact can be a sign of disrespect, so people look downward instead.

Is there a way to reconcile this paradox?

I think so.

Last week, Dionn Schaffner, a Chief Diversity Office and SVP of Social Impact, wrote about some small shifts that can have a significant inclusion impact for neurodiverse individuals.

One is that “Eye contact isn’t a universal sign of respect or engagement. Listening matters more than where your eyes land.”

Whether we are comfortable with eye contact or not, let’s ensure we’re sending signals that we’re listening intently to everyone in the room. For example, we can nod, lean towards the person speaking, ask clarifying questions, or take notes on what they’re saying.

In 2021, a working group of DEI experts from companies, educational institutions, and nonprofits collaborated to create a blueprint for action: The Action to Catalyze Tech (ACT) Report. At the time, it was commended by the White House, endorsed by the NAACP, and signed by dozens of organizations.

One of its recommendations is for individuals to interact personally and continuously with employees from underrepresented groups and employee resource groups (ERGs).

As the report explains, “You can learn and make a huge impact by showing up for your employees to support ERGs or simply hear from employees from underrepresented groups about their lived experiences, inside and outside work.”

And, by doing so, I bet you’ll find some things you have in common with coworkers of different backgrounds.

This week’s spotlight on an ally action from the Better Allies community is from a newsletter subscriber who wrote,

“I’m working through the book Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication by Oren Jay Sofer. It is excellent with very accessible language and practical ideas on re-training one’s communication to better connect with others.”

Because of their recommendation, I started reading Sofer’s book. It’s fantastic.

Here’s one thing I learned from it, relevant to today’s newsletter about interconnectedness: Be mindful of “choice points” or moments of awareness in any mode of communication where we decide to speak or listen.

For example, when checking your inbox or social media feeds (aka “listening”), pause before replying to consider whether or not you want to “speak.” Ask yourself if this is the right time and if it would be helpful to wait or say nothing at all.

Similarly, during a live conversation, create a choice point by saying, “Let me think about that for a moment.” Or “Can we pause for a sec? I want to gather my thoughts.”

Sofer also quoted a colleague who uses pauses to ask himself, “Why Am I Talking?” Which just so happens to have the appropriate acronym of “WAIT.” 😍

If you’ve done something to nurture interconnectedness or any kind of action as an ally, please reply to this email and tell me about it. And mention if I can quote you by name or credit you anonymously in an upcoming newsletter.

That’s all for this week. I wish you strength and safety as we all move forward,

Karen Catlin (she/her), Author of the Better Allies® book series
pronounced KAIR-en KAT-lin, click to hear my name

Copyright © 2025 Karen Catlin. All rights reserved.

Being an ally is a journey. Want to join us?

• Follow @BetterAllies on Bluesky, Instagram, Medium, Threads, or YouTube. Or follow Karen Catlin on LinkedIn
• This content originally appeared in our newsletter. Subscribe to “5 Ally Actions” to get it delivered to your inbox every Friday
• Read the Better Allies books
• Form a Better Allies book club
• Get your Better Allies gear
• Tell someone about these resources

Together, we can — and will — make a difference with the Better Allies® approach.

Nurture Interconnectedness, and Other Actions for Allies was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 Business Excellence Awards Gala, presented by Cowan Insurance Group. The Waterloo Region business community, local dignitaries, and community ambassadors came together to honour the extraordinary contributions of more than 130 nominees across 14 categories.

Congratulations to NDI (Northern Digital Inc.) for winning the Business of the Year Award (Over 50 Employees). This award goes to the business that has established themselves as a notable contributor to Waterloo Region’s local economy, commitment to innovation, and a business that truly inspires the next generation of talent.

NDI (Northern Digital Inc.) has been a trailblazer in the 3D optical and electromagnetic tracking technology sector for nearly 45 years, and their sustained innovation has solidified their position as a leader in the industry. With a workforce of nearly 300 professionals, NDI’s growth has been remarkable, maintaining an average annual growth rate of 12% over the past 15 years. Their commitment to innovation is especially evident in the Waterloo region, where the company has maintained a dominant presence, generating over 85% of their total revenue in 2024. Outside the Region, NDI’s innovations have been integrated into over 90% of North America’s advanced surgical navigation systems.

But for NDI, Waterloo Region is home. Last year, NDI employees raised over $3,200 for the Send ‘Em Off Smiling foundation, organized food drives, and supported local healthcare initiatives, including significant contributions to Hospice Waterloo Region. Their dedication to improving the community is further exemplified by their support for local educational programs, environmental sustainability efforts, and initiatives such as paid volunteer time and mental health resources for employees. Their core values continue to include a focus on social responsibility and community well-being.

The post Business of the Year Award Winner (Over 50 Employees): NDI (Northern Digital Inc.) appeared first on Greater KW Chamber of Commerce.

Your care and compassion is helping Zapour and Meghety find a new community of support in Canada

When Meghety first came to Canada, she found it hard to find a place to belong.

If you met Meghety today, all you would see is her wonderful smile. She would tell you how much she loves visiting her favorite place in the world, at our Sunnydale Community Centre.

But it wasn’t that long ago that Meghety found each day a struggle after leaving her home country of Syria behind.

“It took a while for Meghety to get used to her new home,” said her mother, Zapour. “I worried about her and wanted more for her.”

Meghety, now 29, lives with some developmental challenges. And while she is fluent in Armenian and Arabic, she is still learning English, making it more challenging to make friends in her new country. In her first nine years here, Meghety often stayed at home with her family, afraid to venture out her doors.

But when Meghety discovered Sunnydale Community Centre, her life was transformed.

Nazmi, one of our incredible team members, saw Meghety’s potential and signed her up as a volunteer. Ever since, Sunnydale has become Meghety’s home away from home and a bright spot in her day.

I love everything about Sunnydale. I like to help, I love Marwa, Nazmi and Ola – they are all my friends here. – Meghety

Every day, families like Meghety’s come through our doors because they have nowhere else to go. For some, it’s about finding a place to belong and grow. For others, it’s about receiving the basic support they need to survive. In each case, it’s a lifeline.

Your faithful support of Neighbourhoods programs is ensuring people like Meghety, and their families, get the help they need when they need it.

Meghety comes every Thursday morning to help hand out food to other families in the neighbourhood. She organizes the canned food that arrives early in the morning, breaks down boxes for recycling, and visits with other volunteers. When community members arrive, Meghety is there with her bright smile, greeting them and providing the food they need to get through the week.

Meghety takes pride in her volunteer work. She knows she is making a difference. And after a hard day’s work, Meghety can take some of her favourite food home, another source of pride for her.

The life that Meghety and her family live today is in stark contrast to the journey they endured to get here. Twelve years ago, they fled war-torn Syria, hoping for a better life.

Back in Syria, Meghety represented her country in Egypt at the Special Olympics, winning a bronze medal in swimming. She had a happy life in her home country.

But when the war started, the peaceful life they once knew was gone forever.

“We lived in Syria for one year without electricity of heat,” said Zapour. “It was very cold in the winter. We only left our home when we had to. It wasn’t safe.”

There are so many families like Meghety’s leaving behind the world they once knew. They have to start over. But how can they begin again without help? Without hope?

Today, Meghety and her family are adjusting to life in Canada, grateful for the opportunities living here gives them. They all live together, as one big family – all with Zapour’s mother-in-law and sister’s family.

Together, Zapour and her sister run a home daycare.

“It brings us so much joy to work with the children,” said Zapour. “And Meghety also helps us with the daycare and the kids love her.”

Thank you for making new beginnings possible for family’s like Meghety’s. Your support of Neighbourhoods programs is ensuring that community members in need have a safe place to start over.

The post A Lifeline of Support appeared first on House Of Friendship.

Wow the shame! How awful does a school board have to be to actually have the province step in and take control? Keep in mind these boards are democratically elected by the same twits who elect both Liberals and Conservatives provincially and federally.  Yes that would be you and I and frankly sometimes I worry about your competence as a voter.

One board allegedly is guilty of financial mismanagement and three others are being investigated for the same. The fifth board you really have to admire their chutzpah. They are being ordered to repay costs for a trip to Italy to buy art. Man you can't make this stuff up. With tight budgets, provincial deficits and constant complaining about underfunding education how does a board O.K. a junket to Italy to buy art ?

The article in yesterday's K-W Record is titled "Ontario takes control of London school board, launches probes of three others" and was written by Allison Jones and Liam Casey. 

Likely last month I had suggested here that our very own Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) was in need of the province stepping in to get them back on track. Now by getting back on track I was not suggesting financial mismanagement as much as a mismanagement of their core values and goals. We have all seen years and decades of sniping, back stabbing , tattling and deflections of focus away from reading, writing and arithmetic. The ongoing Caroline Burjowski court battles are a prime example. The Board could have and should have settled them back in the beginning instead of letting them fester. Festering however seems to be the prime strategy of this board as they spend taxpayers money in order to bury other taxpayers who have had enough of their arrogance, entitlement and refusal to deal in good faith with dissenting opinions and parties.

♦

Take a look at Capacity Canada’s 2024 Annual Report, showcasing the impactful ways we support non-profit and charitable organizations in making a difference.

Your thoughts and questions mean the world to us—I’d love to hear what you think!

Thank you for joining us in our mission of bringing together the ideas, people, and resources that drive social innovation forward.

Warmly,
Cathy Brothers

cathy@capacitycanada.ca 

♦

The post Introducing Capacity Canada’s 2024 Annual Report appeared first on Capacity Canada.

Facing gambling debt can feel overwhelming, isolating, and stressful, but you’re not alone. Single even sports betting was legalized in 2021 in Canada. Unfortunately, it’s now creating serious debt problems for many people who gamble on these events. Fortunately, there are clear and effective ways to deal with gambling debt in Canada, including consumer proposals and bankruptcy.

Gambling debt usually starts with small wagers, such as lottery tickets, scratch tickets, or online card games. Over time, what seemed like harmless entertainment can spiral into significant financial trouble. According to Statistics Canada, around two-thirds of Canadians aged 15 or older have participated in some form of gambling, highlighting how widespread gambling activities have become.

The truth is, anyone can find themselves struggling with gambling debt, often quietly. It’s essential to know that Licensed Insolvency Trustees (LITs) provide judgment-free help, offering compassionate guidance to those needing debt relief.

Several factors can lead individuals into serious gambling debt:

• Easy Credit Access: Credit cards and payday loans make funds readily available, facilitating continuous gambling even when personal resources are exhausted.

• Chasing Losses: Many gamblers continue betting in hopes of recovering previous losses, inadvertently deepening their financial problems.

• Mental Health Connections: Issues such as anxiety, depression, or attention deficit disorders (ADD) can contribute to gambling behaviors.

If you’re dealing with gambling debt, it’s important to know that solutions are available, and it’s never too late to start turning things around. Below, we’ve outlined practical steps you can take right away to start managing your debt and regain control of your financial future.

Your first step is to acknowledge you have a gambling problem and take steps so your financial situation does not become worse:

• Freeze Access to Credit: Prevent further debt accumulation by limiting your access to new credit sources or freezing existing credit accounts.

• Self-Exclusion Programs: Voluntarily exclude yourself from online and physical gambling locations.

• Talk With a Professional: Seek professional help to address underlying gambling addiction issues. If you are struggling with debt repayment, consider contacting a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. LITs are experienced in helping people find debt solutions and offer credit counselling advice is a non-judgmental manner.

Gambling debts are generally treated like other unsecured debts in Canadian insolvency proceedings. This provides a fresh start for people struggling with gambling-related financial problems.

When talking with your LIT, they can help you explore two primary options to deal with gambling debt:

• Bankruptcy: Bankruptcy does discharge gambling debts in Canada, however you must disclose to your LIT if the primary cause of your debts was due to gambling. In some cases the courts may require additional conditions for you to obtain your bankruptcy discharge. It is rare for the court to refuse a bankruptcy discharge due to gambling debts alone.

• Consumer Proposal: Unlike bankruptcy, there’s no court process involved when filing a consumer proposal – it’s more of a negotiation directly with your creditors. Basically, you work with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee who helps you put together an offer to pay back a portion of what you owe (often 30-50%) over a period of up to five years. As long as creditors holding the majority of your debt agree to the proposal, it becomes binding for all unsecured creditors – including gambling debts. This means you can settle your gambling debts for less than you owe while avoiding the more severe consequences of bankruptcy. Plus, you get to keep your assets, and the payment plan is designed to be manageable based on your actual income. Many people find consumer proposals less stressful since they provide debt relief without the stigma or restrictions that come with bankruptcy.

Beau Humphreys, featured on our Debt Free in 30 podcast, began gambling as a child, initially buying lottery tickets. By university, Beau’s gambling escalated to online card games and sports betting, funded by easy access to credit cards. Eventually, he amassed $40,000 in gambling-related debts.

Beau chose a consumer proposal, reducing his debt significantly and fixing monthly payments at an affordable amount ($300 per month over 50 months). He credits the consumer proposal with giving him the financial stability to address his gambling triggers and rebuild his life and credit.

During his consumer proposal, Beau benefited significantly from credit counselling sessions. Our credit counsellors provided valuable financial education, helping him better understand how to manage money, rebuild his credit score responsibly, and recognize triggers for his gambling issues. Through counselling, Beau developed healthier financial habits, giving him the tools and confidence needed to maintain financial stability long after completing his proposal.

A consumer proposal may be ideal if you want to:

• Keep your assets like your home and vehicle.

• Reduce the total amount owed without interest.

• Have fixed and manageable monthly payments.

• Rebuild your credit faster.

Licensed Insolvency Trustees can guide you through the consumer proposal process, clearly explaining every step and provide advice on how to get your finances back on track.

At Hoyes Michalos, our Licensed Insolvency Trustees offer professional and empathetic advice, guiding you to the best debt relief solution tailored specifically for your needs. Hoyes Michalos has helped thousands of Canadians successfully eliminate their debt with a 99% proposal acceptance rate.

You’re not alone in your struggle with gambling debt.

Book Your Free, No-Obligation Consultation Today and reduce the financial impact of problem gambling.

The post How to Get Out of Gambling Debt in Canada appeared first on Hoyes, Michalos & Associates Inc..

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When: Sunday, May 4th 2025, 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Meeting Point: 72 St. Leger Street (corner of St. Leger & Breithaupt Streets), Kitchener

Walk Leader: Lane Burman, Ted Parkinson

Ted Parkinson and Lane Burman will lead this walk through the Marvelous Mt. Hope-Breithaupt Park (MHBP) neighbourhood. In only a few blocks, just over a kilometre, we will discuss the history and development of our streets, businesses and industries. MHBP has been central to manufacturing furniture, buttons, tanning, pianos, stereos and more. And it is now a large part of the “Innovation” district with software companies and two stops on the ION route. As always, there will be time to meet and talk with neighbours along the way and everyone is welcome to share their stories..

A total of over 3,000 grade 8 students and their teachers came from nearly 50 local public, Catholic, and independent schools for the 18th annual edition of this unique program. The three-day event took place at Galaxy Cineplex Cinemas on April 15 in Guelph and April 16 and 17 in Waterloo.

You can see photos from the event in this slideshow video on our social media pages!

In the media! Check out this wonderful GuelphToday article created by Santana Bellantoni.

The multitude of youth in attendance heard from an amazing line-up of professional speakers. They included a magician, acrobat, stunt person, boxer, wrestler, former police sergeant, and more. What do all these speakers have in common? A big heart for making a difference in the lives of young people.

The wide variety of topics included dreaming big, setting SMART goals, resiliency, overcoming challenges, healthy dating relationships, volunteering, school spirit, and showing kindness. The energy and enthusiasm in the theatres was palpable.

It was also a special opportunity to learn from our Child Witness Centre representatives about the work we do in Waterloo Region, Guelph, and Wellington County. Last year alone, we supported 1,088 child and youth victims of abuse and crime through the criminal justice system, along with 827 caregivers.

This big multi-day event is focused on inspiring, educating, and encouraging youth at an important time in their personal development. The program is strategically scheduled in April to reach grade 8 students before they begin high school later in the year.

The feedback from students and teachers is overwhelmingly positive.

• One youth shared what they learned is "Strive for who you want to be. Never give up. Don't listen to anyone who tries to get in your way." Another student said their biggest takeaway is, "As long as you stay resilient, you can accomplish amazing things."
• A teacher stated, "All the speakers delivered an excellent and important message that students this age need to hear." Another teacher said they’ll continue discussing in class, "Focus on the positive. Don't dwell on the negative. Mindset can change perspective."

We would like to thank all our wonderful event sponsors (found below), volunteers, presenters, local police, and everyone else who helped make this very meaningful event a huge success! With the support of the community, over 40,000 students have now been impacted since the program began in 2003.

At Child Witness Centre, we're already looking forward to our 2026 Youth Symposium! We feel it's difficult to overstate the value found in building up young people through this initiative. It prompts countless positive outcomes in young lives, and a ripple effect of benefits for years to come.

Learn more about Youth Symposium here!

The post Thousands of Local Youth Inspired at 2025 Youth Symposium first appeared on Child Witness Centre.

On behalf of the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce, we want to congratulate our 57 Members who were recognized as nominees for the 2025 Rogers Women of the Year Awards.

Congratulations to…

Arts & Culture 

Carin Lowerison – GLA Theatre Company
Pam Patel – MT Space

Entrepreneur
(40+*)

Aura Hertzog – City of Kitchener
Kristy Miller – The Scented Market
Ainsley Poirier-Craig – Harp & Fin/ HF Events

Angel Marie Reiner – Onyx Condo Management

Lifetime Achievement

Jan Basso – Wilfrid Laurier University
Brenna Bonn – Waterloo Region Police Services
Charmaine Dean – University of Waterloo
Joan Fisk – CEO of United Way Waterloo Region Communities
Angie Hill – CTV
JoAnne McCormick – K-W Oktoberfest
Cathy Snyder – Nopak Canada Inc
Tracy Valko – Valko Financial LTD.

Skilled Trades

Stefanie Bruinsma – AutoCate
Emily Pyke – AutoCate

Community Service 

Asma AlWahsh – Canadian Arab Women’s Association (CAWA)

Joan Fisk – United Way Waterloo Region Communities
Angie Hill –  Bell Media Inc.
Jennifer Peacock – Habitat For Humanity Waterloo Region Inc
Stephanie Soulis – Little mushroom catering
Tracy Valko – Valko Financial

Group Achievement
Shelter Movers Southwestern Ontario

YW Club 84 – YWCA Kitchener Waterloo 

She Shares Women’s Giving Circle – St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation

She Is Your Neighbour – Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

Professional
(40+*)

Brenna Bonn –  Waterloo Regional Police Service

Jennifer Gruber – Communitech
Ashley Howat – Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN)
JoAnne McCormick – K-W Oktoberfest Inc
Rebecca Schoenhardt – Canadian Western Bank
Cathy Snyder – Nopak Canada Inc
Carolina Soares – The Event Firm Inc.
Geraldine Stafford – Waterloo Regional Police Service  
Kim Wilhelm – The Food Bank of Waterloo Region

STEM

Martha Breithaupt – BDO Canada LLP
Avvey Peters – NorthGuide
Kimberly Hebeisen – Mind Model AI
Charmaine Dean – University of Waterloo

Educator
*New for 2025*

Jan Basso – Wilfrid Laurier University
Lili Liu – University of Waterloo
Laura Matheson – Conestoga College
Tham Nguyen – Smartizen Canada Inc
Camelia Nunez – University of Waterloo

Health & Wellness

Chioma Efejedia – Inner Compass Wellbeing
Julie Norcott – Arise Wellness
Erin Seaton – Embark Physical Therapy

Rising Star (Under 40)
*New for 2025*

Christine Clark – Rogers
Erin D’Alessandro – Waterloo EDC
Shannon Hall – St. Jacobs Farmers Market
Faune Lang – Food4Kids
Mikaela Lewis – Remix Swing
Rebecca Lyons – Exera Solutions Inc.
Alicia Stuart – Harris Law Personal Injury Lawyers PC
Rochelle Williams – The Dessert Artist
Sanum Yousaf – Grazing Daisy

Young Adult (14-23)

Zoe Channer – Grand River Hospital Foundation

For full details on all of the nominees, please visit: womenoftheyear.ca/

The post 2025 Rogers Women of the Year Award Nominees appeared first on Greater KW Chamber of Commerce.

April 2025

This time last year, an EV manufacturer in Kitchener was ramping up hiring for a new production line. Today, with input costs rising, trade tensions in flux, and demand becoming less predictable, their focus has shifted from growth to adaptability.

They’re not alone.

Across Kitchener-Waterloo, many businesses are navigating a new reality. Some are cautiously expanding, while others are doing more with less. But no matter where they are, they’re asking the same question: How do we build teams that can weather uncertainty and succeed in the long term?

Ontario’s job market is tightening. In March 2025 alone, the province lost 27,500 jobs, and unemployment rose to 7.5% (Statistics Canada, April 2025). While job seekers are feeling the pressure, many employers are too. Staffing remains a challenge, especially in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and skilled trades, which are core to Kitchener-Waterloo’s economy.

At the same time, retaining skilled team members is more critical than ever. Replacing an employee can cost up to 33% of their annual salary, according to the Work Institute’s 2023 Retention Report. High turnover drains time, productivity, and morale which is something businesses do not have the capacity to manage right now.

So, what can employers do to become more resilient?

Research from Accenture shows that companies prioritizing disability inclusion grow sales 2.9x faster and profits 4.1x faster than their competitors (Accenture, 2020). These companies tend to outperform because they build stronger, more adaptable teams.

Disability inclusive businesses are more likely to:

• Retain talent through inclusive culture and accessible practices
• Expand their talent pool
• Build psychological safety and trust across teams
• Improve innovation through diverse perspectives

In short: disability inclusion is good for business.

So, whether you’re expanding or stabilizing, these three strategies can help strengthen your business:

1. Invest in Inclusive Workplace Culture

Retention starts with belonging. When team members feel supported, seen, and safe to be themselves, they are more likely to stay. Inclusive practices such as flexible onboarding and open communication can reduce turnover and increase engagement.

1. Rethink Hiring Through a Skills-Based Lens

If you’re hiring, focus on creating accessible job postings that focus on skills and adaptability. This opens the door to talent who may have been overlooked through traditional hiring channels.

1. Build Disability Confidence at All Levels

Most teams want to be disability inclusive but don’t always know where to start. That’s where practical training and support come in. Disability awareness and confidence training helps hiring managers, supervisors, and coworkers feel more equipped to support diverse teams, leading to better retention outcomes.

The Ontario Corporate Training Centre (OCTC) is a province-wide project designed to support businesses across Ontario through research informed training, resources, and services.

Supported by the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) and funded by the Government of Canada, this project provides training and services at no cost for businesses within the manufacturing, skilled trades, healthcare and hospitality sectors. To learn more about Ontario Corporate Training Centre (OCTC) please visit www.ontariotrainingcentre.com.

Workforce retention doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built through every decision of who you hire, how you support your team, and the values you bring into your workplace.

As economic pressures continue, disability inclusive hiring and retention practices are a strategic investment in your business’s future.

And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone.

If you would like to start or continue your inclusion journey, e-mail us at info@ontariotrainingcentre.com.

The post HOW KW BUSINESSES CAN NAVIGATE ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY THROUGH Disability Inclusion appeared first on Greater KW Chamber of Commerce.

How is it possible especially when the majority of elevation contour lines have been provided by Conestoga Rovers and Associates? The rest have come from the Region of Waterloo, GRCA and the Ministry of Environment. Furthermore to date I have seen zero contradictions between any of the sources. Perhaps if Uniroyal Chemical had not perched their uncovered pits and ponds right at the highest elevations between the two properties then so much liquid toxins could not have moved eastwards onto the neighbouring Stroh Farm.

Contour lines do not lie. They are the elevation of the ground's surface above sea level. Despite this Luis Almeida and Lanxess have decided to go all in. I expected reticence on their part. Their history as well as that of their corporate predecessors has generally been abysmal when discussing transparency and honest discussion. What I find now is a corporate decision that can not be justified either in the short or long term. Their refusal to admit that their liquid wastes flowed more than a few metres onto the Stroh property is shockingly self-serving and shockingly glaringly bad.

I have recently reexamined those elevation contour lines. Yes some of the older maps are done in feet above sea level versus more recent ones done in metres above sea level (i.e. masl). Does Lanxess and GHD believe that TRAC members aren't smart enough to be able to convert feet to metres or do they think that TRAC members are too lazy or just don't care? This is what I have to observe carefully now. Why is only one TRAC member  (Sebastian)  pushing this while all the others appear to ignore it? Have many TRAC members been given their marching orders either from Lanxess or Woolwich Township and they don't want to rock the boat? Or is it just too much work as volunteers to look up these maps and see for yourselves?

This alleged Stroh "investigation" is equal in quality to others that the polluter and corporate successors have done over the decades.

The Black Healing Centre (BHC) aims to design intergenerational programming that reimagines healing from a community-centered, artistic lens.

By providing access to free and subsidized therapy to members of the community, we seek to counteract the shared trauma that often comes with the Black experience, and empower people of African and Caribbean descent in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal) to reclaim their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness.

Black Healing Centre’s (BHC) goal is to provide an accessible space for intergenerational, culturally relevant, and afro-positive mental health care. BHC’s core mission is to create an accessible and safer space for Black people to gather, connect and heal.

Our intention is to create an Anti-oppressive, Anti-racist community hub where people of African descent feel seen, heard and supported. Our promise is to create an intentional space for us by us.

We simply want to foster an environment where people of African descent feel a sense of belonging, and do not have to explain, diminish, or defend their experiences.

You can learn more about the Black Healing Centre here: www.blackhealingcentre.com/

Are you passionate about advancing access to wellness programs and spaces for Black people in Montreal? Do you have experience in fundraising, financial management, people operations management (HR), and/or strategy?

If so, we invite you to apply to join the Board of Directors of the Black Healing Centre. It’s an exciting time to join our board! We have recently secured a new physical space to conduct our in-person programming, and we have done some work to identify our

strategic priorities for the next 3 years. You will have the opportunity to work alongside a small and passionate team, sharing your skills and knowledge, and experience to help us ensure the long-term sustainability of our organization and deepen our impact.

We are looking to recruit new Board members to fulfill one of the following roles: Vice-Chair (1) & Director at large (2) . To learn more about what the different roles entails click here). We are especially interested in folks who align with our values and have experience in fundraising, finance, and/or nonprofit operations.

If you are ready to take on this rewarding and challenging role, we invite you to apply to join the Board of Directors of the Black Healing Centre today.

• Lengths of Involvement: A Board Member commits to serve a one-year term (for member at large position) or 2-year term for chair, vice-chair, treasurer, & secretary roles. Terms can be renewed.
•  Time commitment: 10 – 15 hours per month. Board meetings are held monthly and virtually on Zoom the 2nd Tuesday in the evening. Committee meetings frequency may vary depending on the committee.

This is a really great opportunity if you:

• Have a passion to create wellness and care offerings for Black community members and Black mental health practitioners in Montreal (or beyond)
• Have the availability, and ability to attend board meetings and engage in committee work (fundraising, finance, etc.)
• Have strong communication and collaborative skills

Interested, but still unsure if you’re ready to serve on a board? This article by Evenings + Weekends Consulting is a great resource!

 Please submit your application through our portal here. You will be asked to submit the following:

• Your Bio (one or two paragraphs)
• Your Letter/Video of interest includes:
  •   What inspires you to join our Board of Directors?
  •   The relevant experience and/or skills that you feel you can contribute to the Black Healing Centre
  •  Your availability to participate in Board meetings and committee meetings
  • Which Board committee you would be interested in joining (at least): Programming, Governance, External, Space
• The deadline to apply is Tuesday May 13 at 10am ET
• Virtual interviews via Zoom will be scheduled between Thursday May 22, and Tuesday May 27 with the shortlisted candidates. Each interview will be expected to take 45 minutes
• Shortlisted candidates will receive a calendar invitation with the Zoom link as well as the interview questions (at least 48 hours ahead of their interview)
• If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Laëtitia Eyssartel at laetitia@eveningsandweekendsconsulting.com

The post Black Healing Centre appeared first on Capacity Canada.

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 Business Excellence Awards Gala, presented by Cowan Insurance Group. The Waterloo Region business community, local dignitaries, and community ambassadors came together to honour the extraordinary contributions of more than 130 nominees across 14 categories.

Congratulations to the Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth for taking home the Non-Profit/Charitable award! The KW Chamber dedicates this award to the business that truly supports the community in their day-to-day efforts, and uses what funding they receive to pour it back into causes that need it the most across Waterloo Region & beyond.

♦

With two community animal care centres in Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford, Ontario, The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth supports over 500,000 people across 13 municipalities. Self-funded and self-governed, they are a recognized leader in animal welfare.

In the past year, The Humane Society has made significant strides in both animal welfare and community support. Programs like their Pet Pantry have provided essential pet food and supplies to families experiencing financial hardship. In 2024, their Humane Education Programs reached over 21,000 students, fostering compassion and responsibility toward animals in future generations. Plus, the organization delivered over $30,000 worth of free veterinary services through their Veterinary Outreach efforts, assisting 269 pets in need. Their mission goes beyond animal care—they are deeply dedicated to creating a compassionate, supportive community for both animals and people.

Innovation is at the heart of The Humane Society’s work. Their successful Better Together Capital Campaign, which raised an impressive $362,000, included a Taylor Swift concert ticket giveaway and marked the organization’s most successful fundraiser to date. These funds will be used to develop a new Community Outreach Centre, designed to provide more accessible services for both animals and people.

Through these initiatives, The Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo Stratford Perth has not only transformed the lives of countless animals but also strengthened the fabric of the community.

The post Non-Profit/Charitable Award Winner: The KW Humane Society appeared first on Greater KW Chamber of Commerce.