Show Up Toronto - January 20, 2026
Hi friends and neighbours,
The news continues to be a horror-show both abroad and at home, so I was a little bit cheered to see that the Supreme Court of Canada will be taking up the case of Ford unceremoniously bulldozing Ontario Place. The damage is done, but wouldn't it be nice if there were some consequences?
No overarching theme this week other than a handful of things I want to highlight in terms of getting involved:
- Snow has blanketed our city once again, which is always a reminder of how inadequate the city's cold weather support is for the unhoused population. There are just a handful of warming centres around the city that don't open until the weather has been consistently below -5C. Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction does consistently great outreach work and they're asking for support with a winter gear wishlist right now - instructions here. You can also donate to their regular fund directly.
- The city is deep in budget consultation process - there was a day of deputations today and there's another day tomorrow. Social Planning Toronto has a great guide on the whole process, and you can follow along with deputations on Council's YouTube channel. SPT is also planning a rally in a couple of weeks when Council votes on the final budget - save the date!
- I talked about Bill C-9 last week and the chilling effect it will have on free speech and protest rights. The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council put together a great resource doc on why this bill is harmful alongside scripts for talking to your MP. Given the state of the world protecting our right to speak up is more important than ever. Sending an email only takes a minute!
Thank you for showing up.
Jenny
Events this week
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 🔗
12PM — Understanding and Supporting 2SLGBTQI Experiences with Dementia (Virtual)
Egale - The Canadian healthcare system isn’t equipped to meet the needs of 2SLGBTQI people living with dementia. Come hear about Egale’s dementia-related research and resources and gain practical tools and strategies for delivering identity-affirming, inclusive care.
1PM — Re-weaving Amid Collapse (Virtual)
Sierra Club Canada - In a world on fire, it can feel like there’s no space to pause, grieve, or even feel. These bi-weekly sessions are a place to lay it down—for an hour—and be with what’s breaking: in our movements, our systems, and ourselves.
6:30PM — Harm Reduction Advocacy Open Meeting (College St United Church)
Harm Reduction Advocacy Collective Toronto - A working meeting open to all, including newcomers to HAC! After intros and announcements, break out into “working groups” to work on organizing projects for the collective to advance harm reduction.
6:30PM — Toronto Police Accountability Organizing Meeting (Available upon registration (St Clair & Bathurst))
Toronto Police Accountability Coalition - TPAC is holding two meetings to talk about the past 25 years of the group, the current situation, and the future of the group. All who are interested in changing policing in Toronto for the better are invited to join and help chart a better way forward.
7PM — Civic Meetup - Mining public datasets (Hybrid)
Civic Tech Toronto - Civic Tech Toronto's weekly meetups bring together Torontonians who want to improve the city through design, tech, and data. This week, Kelly Hill will discuss his experiences in mining public datasets for information about the cultural sector. Followed by project breakout sessions.
7PM — Arms Embargo Urgent Movement Briefing (Virtual)
Arms Embargo Now - One more month left to support the No More Loopholes bill before it comes to a vote in Parliament! This legislation is critical to stopping the flow of weapons to Israel and cutting off Canada’s role in fueling the U.S. war machine.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 🔗
1PM — The Retirement Security Crisis Webinar (Virtual)
Canadian Labour Congress - Part 1 of a new webinar series designed deepen workers’ understanding of the issues shaping their lives, unions, and the broader labour movement. This first event will address retirement insecurity and what it means for workers today.
5PM — Wednesdays 4 Palestine (Danforth and Pape)
Wednesdays 4 Palestine - Every Wednesday afternoon in East Toronto. Flags and signs are provided.
5:45PM — Doorknocking for Palestine (Available upon RSVP)
Davenport 4 Palestine - Davenport 4 Palestine is doorknocking in the neighbourhood to mobilize neighbours in support of a real arms embargo. No experience is necessary, you'll be paired up with a seasoned doorknocker. RSVP by emailing at davenport4palestine@gmail.com.
6PM — Community Art Social (2660 Eglinton Ave E)
Scarborough Environmental Association - Looking for dedicated time and space to work on your art? All skill levels are welcome to create, stay motivated, and connect with fellow creatives. Bring a project you’re already working on or start something new.
6PM — Eviction Prevention Workshop (185 Fifth St)
South Etobicoke Community Legal Services - Learn about your rights as a tenant, how to prevent eviction, and where to find support when you need it most. Legal staff will be there to provide clear, practical guidance. Light supper provided.
6:30PM — Cancelling Billionaires Before They Cancel Us Book Launch (Tranzac Club)
Dundurn Press - Join authors Linda McQuaig and Neil Brooks to celebrate the launch of their book Cancelling Billionaires Before They Cancel Us: The Urgent Case for a Wealth Tax. With music by Three Chord Johnny.
6:30PM — Major Transit Station Areas Zoning Town Hall (Hybrid)
City of Toronto - The City of Toronto is updating zoning by-laws near major transit areas (near subway, Go, and streetcar stops) to allow for higher density. Join a town hall to hear more about changes and provide feedback.
6:30PM — What Will Socialism Look Like? (184 College St, Room 130)
Revolutionary Communist Party - Capitalism offers our generation nothing but misery, war, inequality, and environmental destruction. More and more people are becoming anti-capitalists, but identifying the problem is not enough. So the question is: what will socialism look like?
7PM — Making Room: Ending Homelessness (It’s Ok* Studios)
More Neighbours Toronto - This first event in the Making Room speaker series features Diana Chan McNally, who will share her work on homelessness, the policy wins she has helped secure, and how she influences policy and policymakers to get real solutions in place.
7PM — NDP Leadership Debate on Palestine (Virtual)
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East - For the past two years, the Palestine movement has worked to hold Canada’s political establishment accountable. As the NDP increasingly brings advocates’ demands into Parliament, this debate will highlight the key priorities of pro-Palestine voices.
Thursday, January 22, 2026 🔗
12PM — Gender Equality Report Card: An Inside Look (Virtual)
Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology - Join CCWESTT staff for an inside look at a new Gender Equality Report Card, and explore ways to strengthen caregiving support, fair compensation, and workplace safety for women in science, engineering, trades and technology.
12PM — ETFO Support Staff on Strike: Rally for Respect (136 Isabella St)
SEIU Local 2 - Support staff for the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) are on strike as of Monday January 12! Join the rally to demand respect for their vital role in supporting ETFO.
6PM — Abolition 101 with DJNO (Virtual)
Disability Justice Network of Ontario - This workshop is part of an abolition public education series showcasing people, groups, and resources that are divesting from policing and prisons. Let's learn how abolition can look like in practice and build capacity for a future centred on community care.
6PM — Draw the Line Against Transphobic Violence in Schools (Virtual)
Egale - This webinar helps educators and school personnel take action against harmful anti-trans dynamics, building skills for fostering cultures of consent, gender inclusion, and healthier relationships. Discussions focus on understanding the current school climate for trans and nonbinary youth, how to identify transphobic violence, and ways to support trans joy and resilience.
7PM — Toronto Association for Peace and Solidarity AGM (31 Wellesley St. E)
Toronto Association for Peace and Solidarity - The Toronto Association for Peace and Solidarity strives to agitate, educate and organize in the GTA for a world without war and oppression. Join the AGM to learn about the plan for 2026, becoming a member, and joining the struggle for peace.
7PM — Queers 4 Palestine Film Screening and Conversation (401 Richmond St W #452)
Queers 4 Palestine Toronto - A screening of Leila and the Wolves (Heiny Srour, 1984) and We Would Be Freer (Rana Nazzal Hamadeh, 2023) followed by a discussion with the audience. The first event in a series about art and resistance!
7PM — Collaborative Farm Governance Webinar (Virtual)
Sundance Commons - This workshop will lead tiy through the practical side of farming with others. It is designed for beginner growers who want to build a farm that operates as a collective from the ground up or who would like to learn about processes involved in collaborative farming. Followed by Q&A!
Friday, January 23, 2026 🔗
2PM — Fridays 4 Palestine (Yonge and Bloor)
Fridays4Palestine - Come show your support for Palestinians every Friday at the Israel Consulate. Stand up for human rights and say no to genocide.
6PM — Toronto Spring meeting: Socialism from Below (720 Spadina Ave, #221)
Spring Magazine - Looking to get involved in the fight for a better world? Want to get more politically active in the new year? Come to Spring Toronto’s branch meeting and hear about “Socialism from Below: An introduction to the politics of the Spring Socialist Network”!
6:30PM — Earth’s Greatest Enemy Premiere (1006c Bloor St W)
Empire Files - The Toronto premiere of a feature documentary on the environmental impact of the US military, often overlooked despite being the world’s single largest institutional polluter. Q&A with director to follow screening.
7PM — Cybernetic Circulation Complex Book Launch (502 Bathurst ST)
Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education - There is a way out of the multiple crises that Big Tech has helped precipitate. If we are to break their grip on the global economy then it’ll take more than just antitrust legislation or reducing individual time online. Book launch features a panel discussion with authors!
Saturday, January 24, 2026 🔗
10AM — Wexford Repair Cafe and Remarket (Scarborough Citadel Child Care)
Repair Cafe Toronto - The Scarborough Zero Waste Team is partnering with Repair Cafe Toronto for a mini repair cafe to handle small appliances, housewares, jewellery, and textiles! Volunteers always welcome.
1PM — BDS Leafletting (900 Dufferin St)
Davenport 4 Palestine - Join Davenport 4 Palestine for the weekly BDS leafleting campaign at Dufferin Mall. Meet outside south entrance and buddy up – no experience necessary!
1PM — East End Mini Repair Cafe (310 Danforth Ave)
Repair Cafe Toronto - Mini repair cafe – one item per person. Come learn how to fix small appliances, housewares, and textiles!
2PM — Imagine Safer Neighbourhoods Together (473 Oakwood Ave)
SURJ Toronto - Even the police agree that they should not be our go-to for ‘solving’ all emergencies. But if not the police, then who? Join in for a brief film screening and a roundtable discussion. Snacks provided, kids & adults both welcome! Hybrid option available.
2PM — 13th Anakbayan Toronto General Assembly (601 Christie St, Unit 170)
Anakbayan Toronto - This General Assembly commemorates the historic legacy of the Filipino youth during the First Quarter Storm in the 1970s when they went beyond the walls of their classrooms to fight for liberation in the streets. Come hear about what Filipino youth in Toronto have been working on, celebrate victories, and reflect on what can be done in the upcoming year.
4PM — Consultation is Not Consent (Virtual)
Truth Before Reconciliation Education & Advocacy Network - Come dive into what will monumental changes for First Nations people at a time when the Canadian government is pushing through bills and projects of National Interest (PONIs). Join in to talk about what this means and what can be done.
Sunday, January 25, 2026 🔗
10AM — Virtual Tech Worker’s Coalition Coffee (Virtual)
Tech Worker’s Coalition Canada - Drop by for a virtual coffee hour on Sunday mornings to chat with fellow tech workers about what’s on your mind and to learn more about the Tech Worker’s Coalition.
11AM — Gaza Square (371 Wallace Ave)
Davenport 4 Palestine - Daveport 4 Palestine invites you to come hang out at Gaza square on Sunday mornings with hot chocolate and coffee, buttons and posters, lawn signs and colourful chalk. Come say hi and meet your fellow neighbours/organizers!
11AM — Sundays 4 Palestine (Bathurst and Sheppard)
Sundays4Palestine - Weekly counterprotest to the Zionist community that comes out to celebrate the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Flags and signs provided.
12PM — Civic Space Sunday (1RG)
1RG - An open space for folks working on projects addressing civic challenges with technology. Whether you're already involved in an existing project, or you're looking at finding one to contribute to, join in for an afternoon of building.
1PM — All Our Liberation Struggles Are Bound Together (1265 Military Trail, Room SL322)
Scarborough Loves Palestine and Rohingya Human Rights Network - A teach-in connecting the dots between the Rohingya in Myammar, Venezuela, and Palestine. These struggles are interconnected and this teach-in will link the similarities of how imperialism works around the world.
Monday, January 26, 2026 🔗
12:30PM — Weekly Phone Zap for Palestine (Virtual)
Toronto Zaps For Palestine - Join with organizers from coast to coast in calling, emailing, and faxing demands to elected officials for a full two-way arms embargo to stop Canada's complicity in the genocide.
5PM — Environmental Advocacy and You Teach-In (Virtual)
LGBT Youthline - Researcher and activist Beze Gray will be leading a presentation on how young leaders can get involved in environmental advocacy. Discover what you can do to speak up and help protect the natural world.
6PM — Disability 101 with Shay Erlich (Virtual)
Means of Production Canada - This session aimed at productino managers and technical directors will discuss how to center disability justice as part of planning accessible spaces. Topics will include language & terminology, models of disability, ableism in produciton spaces, and practical strategies for accessible production.
6PM — Community Forum on Venezuela: A Caribbean Perspective (45 Willcocks St)
Caribbean Solidarity Network - Join to hear from experts on human rights, history, and Caribbean studies on the role of Caribbean states in facilitating US imperialism’s atack on Venezuela, the political and economic fallout, and demands for the region to become a Zone of Peace.
Down the road
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 🔗
3PM — Wires of Coloniality: A Century of Telephone in Palestine (19 Ursula Franklin St, AP246)
6PM — Major Transit Station Areas Zoning Town Hall – East York (777 Bloor St W)
6:30PM — Toronto Police Accountability Organizing Meeting (Available upon registration (St Clair & Bathurst))
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 🔗
7PM — Pan-Canadian Worker’s Organizing Meeting (Virtual)
7PM — Fear of a Black Nation Book Club (504 Oakwood Ave)
7PM — Civic Meetup - Designing a Shared Data Future for the Arts Sector (Hybrid)
7:30PM — Re-imaging Climate Education for a Living Future (Virtual)
4PM — Wayfinding: Privacy (1RG)
5PM — Wednesdays 4 Palestine (Danforth and Pape)
6:30PM — Fund the Frontlines (5650 Hurontario St)
Thursday, January 29, 2026 🔗
4:30PM — Candlelight Vigil for Hind Rajab (Yonge & Bloor)
5PM — Know Your Rights Workshop (Lawrence Heights Community Centre)
6PM — Fabric and Craft Supplies Swap Fundraiser (163 Stirling Rd Unit 167)
6PM — Major Transit Station Areas Zoning Town Hall – Etobicoke York (86 Montgomery Rd)
6:30PM — Higher Education Organizing Meeting (College Street United Church)
Friday, January 30, 2026 🔗
7PM — Four Our Kids New Year Welcome Call (Virtual)
5:30PM — Jam3itna Arab Social Gathering (Downtown Toronto)
Saturday, January 31, 2026 🔗
7PM — Community Fridges Zine Workshop (Mischief Makers)
12PM — Mega Book Swap (32 Lisgar St)
2PM — Construction Workers’ Industrial Organisation Congress (Virtual)
2PM — Noname Book Club Toronto – Nervous Conditions (24 Cecil St)
2PM — Blooming In Community (TBA)
Sunday, February 1, 2026 🔗
7PM — The Day Iceland Stood Still (Friends House)
11AM — Sundays 4 Palestine (Bathurst and Sheppard)
12PM — Brigid’s Bazaar for Palestine (It’s OK* Studios)
3PM — Harm Reduction Book Club: Care Work (College St United Church)
6PM — The Revolution of 1936-1939 In Palestine Reading Group Part 1 (Available upon registration)
Monday, February 2, 2026 🔗
7PM — Queer Self-Defense (Tallulah’s Cabaret)
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 🔗
7PM — DSA Orientation (Virtual)
6PM — Major Transit Station Areas Zoning Town Hall – North York (5110 Yonge St)
6PM — Organizing in Critical Times (Virtual)
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 🔗
2PM — Labour Organizing Workshop (York Lanes Mall)
6:30PM — Know Your Rights: Empowering Youth to Understand Policing in Schools (Virtual)
Friday, February 6, 2026 🔗
7PM — Organizing Amazon book launch (College St United Church)
1PM — The Rise of Climate Denialism & Use of Social Media Webinar (Virtual)
Saturday, February 7, 2026 🔗
6PM — The Revolution of 1936-1939 In Palestine Reading Group Part 2 (Available upon registration)
Sunday, February 8, 2026 🔗
1PM — Friends and Families for Safe Streets Peer Support Meeting (401 Richmond St W, Room 375)
1PM — Strong Towns Toronto’s Monthly Meeting (The 519)
Monday, February 9, 2026 🔗
6PM — Major Transit Station Areas Zoning Town Hall – Scarborough (150 Borough Dr)
For the full up-to-date event listing, visit the Show Up Toronto website. If you find this newsletter useful, I would love for you to:
- Forward it to a friend
- Tell me if you go to an event
- Send me other organizing events in the city I may have missed
You can reach me by replying directly, or by emailing organize@showuptoronto.ca.