May was a busy month for SSAIC as we worked hard to get our LGBTQ2S materials launched. (You can download them here!) Our Lunch & Learn on the topic of Sexual Violence + the LGBTQ2S community was well received, with 45+ people in attendance. We are thankful to our friends at OUTSasktaoon for their expertise and help in making us better service providers and allies for the queer community. SSAIC will be marching in the Pride parade on Saturday, June 22 — come on and join us!
Thank you to everyone who signed the petition and spread the word about Rona Ambrose’s Bill C-337, known as the Judicial Accountability Through Sexual Assault Law Training Act.
Bill C-337 is a private member’s bill that would require judges to undergo training on Canada’s sexual assault laws. The bill was passed in the House of Commons two years ago but has stalled in the Senate ever since. The purpose of the bill is to raise confidence in the legal system. By training judges in sensitivities associated with sexual assault, victims will be more comfortable coming forward. Ambrose recently addressed the Senate committee on legal and constitutional affairs to support the bill. With only weeks to go before the parliamentary session is over, it is crucial for the bill to pass quickly through the upper chamber. If this legislation isn’t addressed before the 2019 federal election, it may never come to a vote.
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SSAIC will be participating in the June 21 Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation, on National Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We cannot stress enough the negative impact that the Residential School System had on Indigenous culture in our province and across Canada, and reconciliation is something every Canadian must undertake in order to rebuild the trust and respect that was lost in the colonization process.
The theme for this year is Re-igniting the Fire – a reminder that we cannot delegate Reconciliation. We must commit as individuals, businesses, and communities to listen, learn, show up and share. We must keep the fire burning to spark change in our lives and city. For more information visit the City of Saskatoon website or check out the Facebook event page.
It’s time for the Great Canadian Giving Challenge – help SSAIC win $10,000! Every dollar you donate through Canada Helps by June 30 earns SSAIC a chance to win the grand prize of $10,000. We believe survivors, we support survivors and advocate for change:
