https://cjpac.ca/throne-speech/
Does a throne speech = a general election?
Throne speech? Elections? During the pandemic??
You may already know what a Throne Speech is, but for those thinking it’s something out of Game of Thrones, fret not!
A Throne Speech is delivered to mark the beginning of a session of Parliament, usually following a general election or the prorogation of the previous session. (Prorogation happens when a session of Parliament is ended prematurely without dissolving Parliament, which would trigger elections.) If a Throne Speech follows a prorogation, it serves as a legislative reset.
Typically, it sets the tone and outlines the Government’s intended game plan for the upcoming session.
(FYI – Although it’s the Prime Minister’s plan, the Governor General of Canada reads the speech on behalf of the Queen. (Interesting fun fact: The Queen delivered the speech herself while in Canada in 1957 and 1977!))
The Throne Speech will prompt a vote of confidence, where MPs will vote on whether they will support the government’s agenda. This could lead to a no confidence vote which would trigger a general election.
Can you imagine an election during a pandemic? It has its challenges, but also some up sides; including volunteering from your home!!! That means you can volunteer for candidates right across the country and do it in your pjs! No excuse not to get engaged this time around! History will be made and you can play a role in shaping it.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out this pledge and let CJPAC do the rest. We will connect you with the party or candidate of your choice!
CJPAC is a national, independent, multi-partisan organization. Our mandate is to engage Jewish and pro-Israel Canadians in the democratic process and to foster active political participation. We are dedicated to helping community members build relationships within the Canadian political arena.
Quick facts:
CJPAC’s unique programs and events inspire Canadians with all levels of political experience – whether new, curious, or already engaged – to become more active in the democratic process:
- Since 2006 more than 400 of our country’s top, pro-Israel politically-engaged university students have gone through the Fellowship, Canada’s premiere political training program. We are proud that over 115 Fellowship alumni have worked in political offices across the country.
- This school year, over 60 high school students from across the country are participating in our Generation Student Leaders Program, which teaches Jewish students to engage in the democratic process and what it takes to be effective volunteers.
- CJPAC typically visits close to 15 summer camps from coast-to-coast and meets with over 1,000 campers to educate them about the democratic process and the essentials of getting involved.
- Attendance and interest in CJPAC’s ACTION parties continues to grow. Over 1700 Jewish and pro-Israel young professionals, plus many of our country’s most distinguished business leaders and philanthropists, along with nearly 80 federal, provincial and municipal elected officials annually attend our ACTION Parties in Toronto and Montreal collectively. These exciting events generate enthusiasm for political engagement and help build relationships by providing the opportunity for community members to meet with elected officials from all parties and levels of government.
CJPAC (Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee)
Toronto, ON
Jaime Reich
P: (416) 929-9552 ex.224
F: (416) 929-0542
jreich@cjpac.ca
http://www.cjpac.ca
CJPAC is a national, independent, multi-partisan organization. Its mandate is to engage Jewish and pro-Israel Canadians in the democratic process and to foster active political participation. CJPAC is dedicated to helping community members build relationships within the Canadian political arena.
Contact:
Mark Waldman, Executive Director - mwaldman@cjpac.ca
Rachel Chertkoff, Deputy Executive Director - rchertkoff@cjpac.ca
Jaime Reich (Director of Outreach and Programming)
P: (416) 929-9552 ext. 224
E: jreich@cjpac.ca
Adam Minsky
President and CEO
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
Adam Minsky is the President and CEO of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, beginning his service in 2016 at age 45. Throughout his career prior to becoming CEO, Adam was deeply involved with Federation and its affiliated partner organizations.
Adam’s leadership extends well past Toronto’s borders, as he played an integral role in the founding of many important national initiatives including the creation of the Canada Israel Experience and its Birthright Israel programs.
For more than a decade, Adam has dedicated himself to strengthening the strategic impact of UJA Federation through its network of local, national and international agencies. Most recently, Adam led the development of UJA Federation’s Strategic Plan with outlines an exciting vision for the future of UJA Federation.
In 2013, Adam was honoured to receive the Gordon Wolfe Award for Professional Leadership in recognition of his ability to lead with vision, integrity, Jewish values and humility.
Adam is married to Heidi Brown, a Toronto lawyer, and they have three children.
Linda Frum
Chair
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
The Honourable Linda Frum represents the Province of Ontario in the Senate of Canada. She has served on the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, the Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration Committee, and the Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee. She currently sits on the Committee of Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament, and the standing Committee for the Library of Parliament.
A former journalist and author, Senator Frum was a columnist with the National Post, a contributing editor to Maclean’s, published two books, and won a Gemini Award for Best Social-Political Documentary Program.
Senator Frum is an active member of the Jewish community. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, after serving as Vice-Chair for two years, and chairing a number of UJA committees and initiatives. She served as Co-Chair of UJA’s Annual Campaign in 2018 and also serves on the board of the United Israel Appeal.
She is a member of the International Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation Committee and an Honourary Board member of NGO Monitor. She has previously served as the vice chair of the board of Upper Canada College, as well as a board member with Bishop Strachan School, the Art Gallery of Ontario Foundation, and Mount Sinai Hospital. She also serves as a board member for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
In recognition of her civic contributions, Senator Frum has received the Golda Meir Leadership Award from the State of Israel Bonds, an honourary Doctor of Humane Letters from Yeshiva University, and the Rothschild Humanitarian Award from Shaare Zedek Hospital. In 2019, she was awarded an honourary degree from Hebrew University for her leadership based on the principles of equality, freedom, and human rights.
She lives in Toronto with her husband Howard Sokolowski—together they have five children and two grandchildren.
4600 Bathurst Street
Toronto, ON M2R 3V2
416.635.2883
info@jewishtoronto.com
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
Agency Profile
- Description
- Organization that provides philanthropy, leadership and service to both the Toronto and the global Jewish communities
- Programs / Services
- Sites
- Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre
4600 Bathurst St, 4th Fl Toronto - UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
Sherman Campus; 4600 Bathurst St, Toronto
- Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre
- Website
- Visit Website
- info@jewishtoronto.com
- President and Chief Executive Officer
- Adam Minsky
Email: aminsky@ujafed.org
Contact
National Office
Phone: (866) 929-9552
Fax: (416) 929-0542
Email:info@cjpac.ca
Regional Offices
Vancouver
Phone: (778) 903-1854
Regional Outreach Email
Toronto
Phone: (416) 929-9552
Fax: (416) 929-0542
Regional Outreach Email
jreich@cjpac.ca
Ottawa
Phone: (613) 867-0766
Campus Outreach Email
dchein@cjpac.ca
Montreal
Phone: (514) 938-0514
Fax: (514) 938-2029
Regional Outreach Email
vfhima@cjpac.ca
Our Staff
Mark Waldman
Executive Director
Mark Waldman is the current Executive Director of CJPAC, as well as a founder and former Deputy Chair. He is also the founder, Chair and acting Managing Director of CJPAC’s predecessor CIJA-PAC. Born in Toronto, Mark holds a BA in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from York University’s Schulich School of Business, with a background in sales, finance, business development and operations. He previously held senior positions at Sandylion, Labelad and Marnlen Management. He has been involved in many political causes, including in 2003 co-founding “Friends of America” to counter anti-American sentiment in Canada. Mark is very active in raising funds and awareness for ovarian cancer and related familial BRCA mutations.
Rachel Chertkoff
Deputy Executive Director
Rachel Chertkoff’s passion is political engagement. For over 20 years she has fostered leaders and connected them to politics and government, in both Canada and the US. Rachel was instrumental in CJPAC’s founding and development before it launched in 2005 and throughout its existence. She was the Leadership Development Director for the Valley Alliance/Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and held executive positions on the board of the Los Angeles County Young Democrats. Rachel has worked in volunteer and staff positions on election campaigns for all levels of government. She volunteers for a dog rescue and loves books, travel and proper punctuation.
Amanda Blitz
Director of Marketing & Communications and General Counsel
Amanda Blitz has a varied career centred around communications and law. She previously worked in marketing at the global law firm Fasken and in media and corporate relations at the Ontario Science Centre. Amanda was a national news anchor for CTV News Channel, and a reporter at CHCH and other media outlets. She has practised as a banking and finance lawyer in London, England at Clifford Chance LLP, and as a corporate lawyer at Goodman & Carr LLP in Toronto. Amanda received her M.Sc from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and her LL.B. at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Dovi Chein
Director of Campus Programming
Dovi Chein has had a diverse career in politics, education, and the nonprofit sector. Dovi comes to us from Hillel Ottawa, where he was the Director for three years, and fostered an unprecedented period of growth for the organization. During his time at Hillel, Dovi developed expertise in programming, relationship building, conflict resolution, political mobilization, and creating inclusive spaces, all while mobilizing hundreds of students to defeat BDS three times. Prior to this, Dovi worked as a teacher in South Korea, and as a Parliamentary Assistant in Ottawa.
Vanessa Fhima
Regional Director, Quebec & Atlantic Canada
Vanessa Fhimais an attorney and received her law degree from the University of Montreal. She has extensive experience in law & management in the private and not-for-profit sectors She has practiced as a litigator at Simon & Associés for nearly ten years and was later the General Counsel at UPCLICK Inc before practicing on her own. Most recently she was the Project Manager for Centennial Events with Federation CJA. Vanessa also served in many capacities on the Board of Directors of Maimonides School including President and legal counsel.
Kara Mintzberg
BC Regional Director
Kara Mintzberg has been involved with British Columbia’s Jewish community for years. She has won local and provincial awards for projects she’s developed for several mission-driven organizations, including being the youngest recipient of Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver’s Young Leadership Award. Kara earned her MBA and MA from Brandeis University, and her BA from the University of British Columbia. She is an avid skier – snow and water – and currently volunteers as a Board member for Jewish Addiction Community Services (JACS) Vancouver.
Joshua Wolfe
Director of Outreach and Programming for Quebec and Atlantic Canada
Joshua Wolfe is a government relations and community outreach specialist who graduated from Princeton University. After graduation, he spent five years as a political advisor to a Member of the Quebec National Assembly. In 2012, and prior to coming to CJPAC, he joined CIJA’s Quebec office to lead their government relations team. He has been politically active at all levels of government, and was most recently named by Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante as a member of her newly-created Roundtable on Diversity, Inclusion and the Fight Against Discrimination.
Noa Farage
Assistant Director, Programming and Engagement
Noa Farage has been involved in Jewish Community life since she was born. She has worked for both BBYO and for Hillel, in Winnipeg, and Vancouver, respectively. Working on many diverse projects through her experience at both organizations, she has developed an expertise in community programming, building relationships, and connecting with young people. She has been a volunteer with the Rady JCC in Winnipeg for over a decade. She is currently a member of CIJA’s LGBTQ2+ National Advisory Committee, leading the way for Jewish and Queer initiatives across Canada. In her spare time, you can find her cycling, watching documentaries about rockstars, or trying a new recipe.
Rachel Iskov
Development & Donor Relations Specialist
Rachel Iskov’s academic background in Holocaust History instilled in her a deep appreciation for the wide breadth of rights we have as Canadians, as well as for the importance of political participation. Having studied and taught the dangers of political apathy and the powerlessness and vulnerability of those whose civil rights have been stripped from them, she values the work CJPAC does to engage the Jewish community in the political process. After leaving her PhD, Rachel worked at Ryerson University and at Reena Foundation. She has volunteered for two decades organizing and leading Toronto Holocaust education and remembrance programming.
Rebecca Vath
Digital Design Coordinator
Rebecca Vath has a Master of Library and Information Science degree and a B.A.(Hons), with degrees in English and Developmental Psychology. She spent four years prior to joining CJPAC working with infant, toddlers and preschool children with special needs. Rebecca has volunteered with the London Public Library, the Ontario Library Association, City of Toronto Archives and as an adult literacy tutor.
Tevy Pilc
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Tevy Pilc is a Toronto-based media professional with a diverse background that includes extensive experience in journalism, communications, and Jewish advocacy. He previously worked as a television producer for Sun News Network, Writer/Editor and Multimedia Content Producer for B’nai Brith Canada and Marketing and Communications Specialist at the Beth Emeth Synagogue in Toronto. He graduated from the University of Toronto and Centennial College’s joint journalism program. He is passionate about the growth and well-being of the Canadian Jewish community. Tevy is a sports, music, history, politics and all-around pop culture nerd and an advocate for mental health awareness.
Lesly Weinstein
Executive Assistant
Lesly Weinstein was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She is currently the Executive Assistant of CJPAC. Prior to her role at CJPAC, Lesly was the Human Resources Manager for the first international expansion of a large American retailer. Lesly has sat on committees and volunteered at organizations including The Hospital for Sick Children, Chai Lifeline Canada and Beth Tzedec
Congregation. Along with her husband Peter, Lesly is very active in advocacy and fundraising for childhood leukaemia research.
Courtney Carstens
Office Administrator
Courtney is a born and raised South African that has recently joined our team as the Office Administrator. Her career has involved working in sales at a telecommunications company, becoming the Senior Administrator at a luxury import/export company as well as being an Artist Manager at one of the top Artist representation firms in South Africa. In 2018 she moved to France for a year where she spent time teaching English before moving to Canada in September 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, walking around High Park and making friends with all the dogs in her building.
Advisory Board
Chair:
Jeffrey Feldman, Toronto, Ontario
Deputy Chair:
Stephen Halperin, Toronto, Ontario
Immediate Past Chair:
Joseph Paperman, Montreal, Quebec
Treasurer:
Joni Kwinter, Toronto, Ontario
Executive Director:
Mark Waldman, Toronto, Ontario
Advisory Board Members
Michael Baruch, Toronto, Ontario
Hon. Scott Brison, Toronto, Ontario
Ariela Cotler, Montreal, Quebec
Rick Ekstein, Thornhill, Ontario
David Ettedgui, Montreal, Quebec
Heather Fenyes, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Victor Goldberg, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Jeffrey Gottesman, Toronto, Ontario
Rachel Haar, Toronto, Ontario
Stephen Halperin, Toronto, Ontario
Dylan Hanley, Ottawa, Ontario
Raquel Hirsch, Vancouver, British Columbia
Lynne Kassie, Montreal, Quebec
Joel King, Montreal, Quebec
Joni Kwinter, Toronto, Ontario
Sharon Laredo, Toronto, Ontario
Hartley Lefton, Toronto, Ontario
Elliot Lifson, Montreal, Quebec
William Lister, Calgary, Alberta
Jay Mansoor, Toronto, Ontario
Israel Mida, Toronto, Ontario
Noah Niznick, Ottawa, Ontario
Dani Peters, Toronto, Ontario
Mark Resnick, Ottawa, Ontario
Jay Rosenzweig, Toronto, Ontario
Nathan Rotman, Toronto, Ontario
Carol Ryder, Calgary, Alberta
Sandy Shindleman, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Jack Siegel, Toronto, Ontario
Darren Slavens, Toronto, Ontario
Mark Spiro, Toronto, Ontario
Yaffa Tegegne, Montreal, Quebec
Noah Tepperman, Windsor, Ontario
Stepan Vdovine, Vancouver, British Columbia
Robert Vineberg, Montreal, Quebec
Tom Weisz, Hamilton, Ontario
Honorary Board Members
Gail Asper, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dennis Bennie, Toronto, Ontario
Jonathan Bloomberg, Toronto, Ontario
Cecil Brauer, Thornhill, Ontario
Hon. Irwin Cotler, P.C., O.C., Montreal, Quebec
Martin I. Chernin, C.M., Sydney, Nova Scotia
Sherry Firestone, Toronto, Ontario
David Goldstein, Toronto, Ontario
Alan Greenberg, Toronto, Ontario
Karen James, Vancouver, British Columbia
Sam Mizrahi, Toronto, Ontario
Joel Reitman, Toronto, Ontario
Lionel Schipper, Toronto, Ontario
Jim Spatz, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Henry Wolfond, Toronto, Ontario
https://cjpac.ca/virtual-events/
Upcoming Virtual Events
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0g4gHAgw34&t=20s&ab_channel=CJPAC
How to get engaged with CJPAC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy7aZDUh-jw&ab_channel=CJPAC
QP - Apr 20/20
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Senator
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Legal and Privacy Information
Last updated Aug. 19, 2013
PRIVACY NOTICE
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CJPAC may change and update this Privacy Policy and/or these terms and conditions, including materially changing the use made of personal information described herein. Your use of the website after the effective date of any changes will constitute your acceptance of all of the changes.
Opposition parties feeling left out as federal throne speech outlines Liberal agenda
Immediately after the speech was read, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet signalled his party will support what he called '24 pages of completely empty words'
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau threw few bones to opposition parties Tuesday in a throne speech that recapped the election platform that produced a second consecutive Liberal minority government.
A vote on the throne speech will be the first confidence test for the government, with the Liberals’ survival dependent on the support of at least one opposition party.
Nevertheless, Trudeau made little effort in the throne speech to secure the support of any of the other parties, choosing instead to reiterate in broad strokes Liberal promises to finish the fight against COVID-19 and rebuild a more resilient, fairer, greener economy.
Voter anger over Trudeau’s decision to call an election in the midst of the pandemic dashed his hopes of capturing a majority on Sept. 20. He is now evidently counting on that anger to dissuade opposition parties from triggering another election anytime soon, relieving him of the necessity to modify his agenda to satisfy any of them.
It’s a gamble that appears to have paid off, at least on the throne speech.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, the first Inuk person to serve in the role, centred the theme of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Tuesday’s speech from the throne with an introduction — delivered in English, French and Inuktitut — that she had written herself.
“I encourage you to seek out the truth, and to learn about the lived realities in First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities,” Simon said in the speech delivered in the Senate chamber.
“Although each community is distinct, we all share a desire to chart a way forward together towards reconciliation.”
She also touched upon the finding by First Nations of hundreds of unmarked graves on the sites of former residential schools across Canada earlier this year.
“We cannot hide from these discoveries. They open deep wounds,” she said in French.
At the same time, she said there is hope.
“Reconciliation is not a single act, nor does it have an end date. It is a lifelong journey of healing, respect and understanding,” she said.
Immediately after the speech was read by Simon in the Senate chamber, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet signalled his party will support what he called “24 pages of completely empty words.”
“Supporting might not be the best word. We will live with this empty piece of paper, gently read in three languages,” he said, adding it’s impossible to vote against “apple pie.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, whose party is considered the most likely dance partner for the Liberals, panned the speech for failing to even mention his party’s priorities, including pharmacare, continuing pandemic supports and boosting annual health transfers to the provinces.
“This is not a speech that looks like they want to work together,” Singh said, warning Trudeau not to take NDP support for granted.
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole said his party will oppose the throne speech, which he lambasted for failing to lay out a plan for reviving the economy, particularly the skyrocketing cost of living.
Governor General Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech, at the Senate in Ottawa, November 23, 2021.Photo by Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
Despite winning only a minority of seats, Trudeau asserted in the speech that Canadians gave parliamentarians clear direction in the Sept. 20 election.
“Not only do they want parliamentarians to work together to put this pandemic behind us, they also want bold, concrete solutions to meet the other challenges we face,” the speech said.
“This is the moment for parliamentarians to work together to get big things done and shape a better future for our kids.”
There were no surprises in the speech, which reiterated the promises the Liberals made in their election platform and focused largely on economic recovery from the pandemic.
The pillars of that recovery will be more aggressive action to combat climate change, measures to produce more affordable housing and finishing negotiations with two holdout province and two territories that have yet to sign onto the Liberals’ $10-a-day national child care program.
Reconciliation was also a major theme of the speech, delivered partly in Inuktitut, as well as French and English, by Simon, the first Indigenous person to hold the viceregal post.
She opened the speech with her own reflections on the pain caused by the discovery last spring of what are believed to be hundreds of unmarked graves of Indigenous children at the sites of two former residential schools.
“We cannot hide from these discoveries; they open deep wounds,” Simon said, adding that “despite the profound pain, there is hope.”
Among other things, the speech promised to create a national monument to honour residential school survivors.
Simon also issued a personal call for action on climate change.
“Our Earth is in danger. From a warming Arctic to the increasing devastation of natural disasters, our land and our people need help. We must move talk into action and adapt where we must,” she said.
Amid extreme flooding and landslides in British Columbia, the speech reiterated the Liberals’ promise to develop the first-ever national adaptation strategy to help Canadians adjust to the changing climate.
It argued that growing the economy goes hand in hand with protecting the environment and that now is the time to “go further, faster” on combating climate change.
It promised to “strengthen action to prevent and prepare for floods, wildfires, droughts, coastline erosion and other extreme weather worsened by climate change.”
The speech — delivered to a much smaller than usual audience of masked dignitaries, senators and MPs in a bid to maintain physical distance — sketched only the broad outlines of the government’s agenda with few details.
It argued that ending the pandemic “for good” is the best way to revive the economy.
But with employment now back to pre-pandemic levels and almost 90 per cent of Canadians fully vaccinated, the speech reiterated the Liberals’ plan to replace emergency benefits that kept millions of Canadians and business afloat during the pandemic with more targeted aid for those hardest hit by the health crisis.
— Additional reporting by Erika Ibrahim