A roundup of some of the latest news in women, Toronto, and/or politics this week. What stories did you read this week? Tell us in the comments.
- Ontario’s updated sex-ed curriculum was released this week, which will be rolled out in schools next September. Sex educator Nadine Thornhill provided a useful summary of the new document via Storify, calling out key points and criticisms.
- After being stalled in parliament for the past three years, the federal bill to enshrine the rights of transgender Canadians (C-279) suffered another harsh blow on Wednesday. Senator Don Plett introduced an amendment to the bill that would exclude trans people from “sex-specific” sites under federal purview such as shelters, washrooms, prisons and crisis centres. The bill will be referred back to the House of Commons with the amendment and will likely not be addressed until after the next election.
- A Canadian Armed Forces member was arrested and questioned regarding edits made to the Rehtaeh Parson Wikipedia page from a computer at the Department of National Defence. Parsons’ father claims the man arrested is the father of one the boys who was convicted in Rehtaeh’s case. A review of how authorities handled the case will be released in the fall.
- Friends and community members are calling on Toronto police to further investigate the death of Sumaya Dalmar, a young trans women who passed away last weekend. A memorial is planned forTuesday at the 519 Community Centre.
- More witness testimony will be heard as the public safety committee reviews the Conservatives’ anti-terror legislation. The move came after the NDP criticized the process earlier this week, claiming the government was trying limit opportunities to further discuss the bill.
- The Legal Strategy Coalition on Violence Against Indigenous Women released a study detailing numerous instances in which the Canadian government ignored expert research on violence against Aboriginal women and girls.
- The TTC Board has chosen a company to build the Scarborough subway even though the transit plan itself is still being studied, approving an $80-million contract to Scarborough Link Joint Venture.
- A Toronto-based program to increase ethnic diversity on boards announced its national launch this week, expanding DiverseCity onBoard to six other Canadian cities.