Hi friends and neighbours,

Sorry this newsletter is coming to you a day late - I was traveling for work and my best-laid plans didn't survive contact with reality.

Three things to call out for the next week:

1. Tomorrow, Saturday October 24th, education workers will be rallying all across Ontario to demand better funding for public education. Teachers took on Doug Ford in 2022 and won - help them paint the province purple again.

2. Next Monday, October 26th, is municipal voting day across the province, including right here in Toronto. If you haven't voted yet, please make a plan to vote. Also, please talk to your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbours about voting. Don't assume that everyone is plugged in, and definitely don't assume that you're all in the same information environment.

   I'm not going to lie, it's pretty dispiriting and enraging that the mayoral race is neck and neck between a competent bureaucrat who seems to genuinely like her city and the people who live in it on one hand, and an angry entitled dude fueled by grievance who flip-flops to whatever position will net him the most power, deploys AI slop to astroturf support, pushed through the bubble zone bylaws curbing freedom of expression, wants to hire another 1,000 cops amid falling crime rates, wants to open the door to privatizing our water, is beloved by billionaires (including the one who thinks rich people should get more votes) and conservative media moguls, consistently voted against better transit, housing, and accountability policies, and refuses to answer questions from environmental, cycling, or transit advocacy groups on the other.

   The fact that Bradford Bradford's former ward is overwhelmingly voting for Olivia so far really tells you all you need to know. Please don't vote for the little man who is allegedly so terrified of the city he wants to rule over that he sleeps with a baseball bat, or more accurately, who is happy to performatively fearmonger to conservative media for the sake of gaining a little more power.

3. Wednesday, October 28th will see the first of I'm sure many protests against C-39, which squarely takes aim at labour, indigenous, and environmental protections in Canada in the name of national interest. This one is being organized by a coalition of indigenous groups and labour groups in Toronto, and is part of the Week of Action for Indigenous Sovereignty.

As I've said before and I will say again: elections are snapshots in time, but the work to advance social progress happens every single day regardless of their outcome. No matter how each race breaks down on Monday, we will still have work to do on Tuesday morning, and that is what we show up for.

Jenny

Events this week

Saturday, October 24, 2026 🔗

8:30AM — 2026 Sustainability Conference (Bahen Centre for Information Technology, 40 Saint George Street, M5S 2E4)
Sustainable Engineers Association - Join students, industry leaders, & policymakers unite to explore the future of sustainability in this year's conference. This year’s theme, “Below the Surface: Uncovering the Hidden Systems of Sustainability,” explores the interconnected systems shaping our environmental decisions. Student or not, All learners are welcome. Ticket includes breakfast, lunch, and refreshments.

1PM — Rallies for Publicly Funded Education (Queen's Park)
Ontario Secondary School Teacher's Federation - Across Ontario, teachers, education workers, families, and communities are coming together to stand up for publicly funded education. Join OSSTF at one of five regional rallies to call for the staff, resources, and supports students need to succeed.

1PM — Handout Flyers about Toronto-Danforth Councillor Candidate Survey Results! (Broadview Station)
TTC Riders - TTC Riders sent all councillor candidates in Toronto-Danforth a survey about transit rider priorities, and their responses are in. Come help hand out fliers and tell residents of Toronto-Danforth where their candidates stand on transit!

2PM — Community Ties Community-wide Consultation – Toronto (Location given on registration)
The ArQuives - Help Shape the Future of The ArQuives as they enter an exciting new chapter and continue their national conversation to better understand how The ArQuives can grow its impact and remain responsive to the diverse communities it supports.

2PM — Understanding Basic Tenant Rights (virtual )
Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations - Workshop on basic tenant rights. Topics include: How to look for an apartment, How to spot illegal lease clauses, When and how the rent increases, How to get repairs done, What to do when you want to move, How to fight an eviction.

2PM — Craft Supply Swap (Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave, M5S 2M7)
Tranzac - All are welcome to this community craft supply swap! Bring your gently used arts and crafts supplies/tools/materials and find items to take home. Meet local artists and creatives, declutter your craft space, and maybe pick up a new hobby.

3PM — Queer Skate Meetup (Dufferin Grove skate park)
Queer Skate Toronto - Come join Queer Skate Toronto for a Halloween session - learn and do some tricks for a treat! Formal lessons from 3-4pm. Costumes are most definitely encouraged.

3:30PM — Worldwide Kick Off Rally to Abolish the Fur Trade (Yorkville Park 130 Cumberland Street)
Toronto Animal Rights March - Join the World-Wide Kickoff Rally on October 24th, 3:30 to 5:30 Cities around the world will join in solidarity to march for fur-bearing animals to abolish the fur trade!

4PM — Film screening & discussion: Shoot the People (The Redwood Theatre)
East End Acts for Palestine - Join a screening of Shoot The People, a documentary capturing Misan Harriman’s journey documenting global protes, including Black Lives Matter and the struggle for Palestinian liberation. After the film, engage with a panelist for a discussion. All proceeds will be donated to medical aid to Palestine.

8PM — Toronto Launch: Revolutions of Our Times (Another Story Bookshop)
The Peoples Want - The Peoples Want present the Toronto launch of Revolution of Our Times with Leila al-Shami & Elia Ayoub. From the encounters between rebels from the global peripheries, fighters from the margins of North America, and dissidents from the centres of Empire, this book weaves a fabric of transnational solidarity.

Sunday, October 25, 2026 🔗

10:30AM — Listen Up! A Downtown Toronto Sound Walk (King Street and University, M5H 4H2)
No More Noise Toronto - An engaging, immersive stroll through downtown designed to change how you hear your surroundings. A guided walk to analyze urban noise sources, discuss their impact on our health and well-being, and explore practical policy changes needed to build quieter, more liveable communities.

12PM — Songs of Resistance (90 Eglington Ave E)
Firdaus-é-Inquilab - Resistance music carries stories, struggles, histories across borders and across generations. From songs of freedom to anthems of protest, music has long been a way to remember, resist, and reclaim our voices. Join this workshop to explore the stories behind these songs, share music that moves us, and sing together in a collective 'Singing Laboratory'!

1PM — Listen Up! A Downtown Toronto Sound Walk (King Street and University, M5H 4H2)
No More Noise Toronto - An engaging, immersive stroll through downtown designed to change how you hear your surroundings. A walk to analyze urban noise sources, discuss their impact on our health and well-being, and explore practical policy changes needed to build quieter, more liveable communities.

1PM — Learn How to Organise a Tenant Union In Your Building! (1303 Queen St W)
Parkdale Housing Justice Network - Rent too high? Maintenance issues? Pests in your building? Stop turning to your landlord and start turning to your neigbours! There will be presentations from experienced housing organisers. Take home skills to organise your own building and fight for better living conditions for you and your neighbours. Free snacks and childminding!

1PM — National day of Action: Rally for Cuba (361 University Ave)
Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association - Monthly picket against the illegal and genocidal US blockade on Cuba. This month the United Nations is once again voting on the genocidal blockade illegally imposed by the US for the past 60+ years. Canada must vote against the blockade at the UN General Assembly!

2PM — Community Ties QTBIPOC-focused Consultation – Toronto (Location given on registration)
The ArQuives - Help Shape the Future of The ArQuives as they enter an exciting new chapter and continue their national conversation to better understand how The ArQuives can grow its impact and remain responsive to the diverse communities it supports.

8PM — Queer the Vote Toronto: Pre-Election Karaoke (Three Dollar Bill)
Queer the Vote Toronto - The night before election day, pass the mic, make some noise, and snap some pics encouraging our eligible loved ones to get out the vote, and bringing our community together — because showing up for each other starts with showing up.

Monday, October 26, 2026 🔗

7PM — Fall Tenant Workshops: Looking for Housing and Leases (Online)
Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations - Join the FMTA this Fall for a series of free tenant rights workshops. Meet other tenants, learn about your rights and ask questions! How do you find an apartment, avoid rental scams and illegal lease clauses. What is a standard lease?

7PM — The Grind & The Breach election watch party (Trinity Common)
The Breach - Join The Breach and The Grind to eat, drink and be merry (or not) as we learn who’s on our next city council. There will be guest speakers providing insights on key city issues. Come raise a glass for strong independent media, and cities where all of us can thrive.

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 🔗

1PM — Harm Reduction is for Everyone: Community Service Fair and Open House (1025 Queen St W Toronto, ON)
Patient and Family Learning Space - Join for a casual afternoon of relaxed socializing, free harm reduction education, BTNX drug testing kits, peer support, and more!

1PM — Harm Reduction is for Everyone: Community Service Fair and Open House (CAMH, 1025 Queen St W Toronto, ON)
Patient and Family Learning Space - Join for a casual afternoon of relaxed socializing, free harm reduction education, BTNX drug testing kits, peer support, and more! Giving away: Opiod overdose prevention training and naloxone pick up, BTNX drug testing strips education, Nicotine replacement therapy kits, HIV/AIDS information and testing kits, Traditional medicines for Indigenous people.

1PM — Security and Readiness for Environmental Advocacy Groups (Online)
Holistic Readiness Centre - In times where environmental advocacy faces increasing resistance from government and corporate powers, there may be things making you and your fellow organizers feel more challenged and less safe when doing your work. The Holistic Readiness Center (HRC) is a new project that supports progressive organizations as they face security threats.

5PM — East End Vigil (Main St & Danforth Ave)
East End Acts for Palestine - Join east end neighbours to honour lives lost and stand for Palestinian human rights and liberation. All are welcome.

6PM — Draw the Line Against Transphobic Violence in Schools (Online)
Egale Canada - Draw the Line Against Transphobic Violence is a free, 90-minute, instructor-led webinar that helps educators and school personnel take action against harmful anti-trans dynamics, building skills for fostering cultures of consent, gender inclusion, and healthier relationships.

7PM — Three Years of October: Fighting Bias and Radicalization in News Media (1237 Queen St. W.)
The Catch - The Catch's Scott Martin hosts a panel dissecting Canadian legacy news coverage of Israel's genocide. Desmond Cole, Samira Mohyeddin and Sonya Fatah bring their experience, expertise and analysis to the Danu Social House to dissect the issue and discuss how to improve Canada's media landscape.

7PM — Civic Meetup #566: A special civic meetup: Post-election recap! (Hybrid)
Civic Tech Toronto - A special discussion the day after the election to reflect on the results, the issues, and the surprises along the way, which made this election memorable. Featuring Anita Li, Matt Elliott and Lanrick Bennett Jr.

7:30PM — Book Launch: Militants, Mobsters and Mavericks (901 St Lawrence Ave W)
Toronto Workers' History Project - Celebrate the release of Militants, Mobsters and Mavericks and discover the people and power struggles that helped build modern Toronto. Discover the stories of union leaders, immigrant workers, mobsters, and politicians who clashed for control of Toronto’s booming construction industry—and the lasting impact they had on the city we know today.

Wednesday, October 28, 2026 🔗

11AM — OCAD U Repair Café (OCAD University)
Repair Cafe Toronto - Repair Cafe is returning to OCAD University on Wednesday, October 28 offering fixing for jewellery, clothing and textiles, as well as electronics and small appliances. The event will be held in the lobby area of the campus building.

12PM — Unite the Fights: Stop Bill C-39 Rally (14 Park Rd)
Idle No More, Steelworkers Toronto, Rising Tide Toronto - As part of the Week of Action for Indigenous Sovereignty, we are uniting our voices from Indigenous communities and leadership, environmental organizations, labour unions, grassroots groups, supporters, and allies to stand together against Bill C-39: Building Canada Strong Act.

12:30PM — From vision to action: Mobilizing unions, workers and students for a radically-just transition (York University, HNES Building, Room 140)
York University Global Labour Research Centre - Join Garance Malivel, Education Sector Coordinator at Workers for Climate Justice / Travailleuses et travailleurs pour la justice climatique (TJC), for an engaging workshop exploring the origins, principles, and practical applications of a just transition, and how workers and communities can help shape a more equitable and sustainable future.

12:30PM — From vision to action: Mobilizing unions, workers and students for a radically-just transition (York University, HNES Building, Room 140)
York University Global Labour Research Centre - An engaging workshop exploring the origins, principles, and practical applications of a just transition, and how workers and communities can help shape a more equitable and sustainable future. This workshop will be facilitated by Garance Malivel, Education Sector Coordinator at Workers for Climate Justice.

6PM — For the Long Haul by Chris Dixon: Toronto Book Launch (Workers Action Center)
Between the Lines - Between the Lines and Upping the Anti are pleased to present the launch of For the Long Haul by Chris Dixon in Toronto, addressing the question of how to sustain long-term involvement in transformative social movements.

6:30PM — Digital Sovereignty Webinar (Online)
Technologists for Democracy - With Canada's reliance on US tech for its services, how do Indigenous rights and practices inform how we choose what platforms we opt into? How do we build a digital ecosystem that we all consent to?

​Join Technologist for Democracy for a discussion with Jeff Doctor to speak on Indigenous data sovereignty

7PM — Making Room: Access to Capital for Affordable Housing (It's Ok* Studios)
More Neighbours Toronto - ​Why does affordable housing keep slipping through the cracks, even when the will to save it exists? In this talk, Krystal breaks down the real barriers standing between communities and the buildings they're trying to protect: financial capital, yes, but also the social capital and trust-building that often gets overlooked.

7PM — Naza screening (Hot Docs)
Hot Docs - The directors behind Oscar-winning documentary, No Other Land return with a searing film that turns its investigative lens to the systems behind Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Clandestinely filmed at night from rooftops in Tel Aviv, NAZA reveals testimony from Israeli military insiders examining how technology and intelligence protocols have shaped the war.

Thursday, October 29, 2026 🔗

12PM — Care Counts: Rally for Early Learning and Child Care (Queen's Park, South Lawn)
Ontario Coalition for Better Childcare - Join OCBCC and call on the Ford government to immediately raise ECE wages, and deliver on affordability, decent work, and end the waitlist crisis for families.

12PM — Getting to “yes in my backyard” on clean energy projects (Online)
Re.Climate - Drawing on a survey of more than 4,000 Canadians and focus groups in Nova Scotia and Ontario, this webinars explores how each of the Five Canadas audience segments responds to wind and electricity projects, particularly as those projects move from proposals to reality.

1PM — 2S/LGBTQIA+ Sexual & Reproductive Justice Forum (Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre, 1 Harbour Square, Toronto, ON)
The CRUISElab Investigaytors - A forum featuring keynote from Marie Geoffroy & Nathan Lachowsky, alongside findings from Our Bodies, Our Health study and short talks on 2S/LGBTQIA+ sexual and reproductive justice. Participants invited to partake in small-group dialogues, bringing research evidence into conversation with community knowledge and lived experience. Attend in-person or via Zoom.

3:30PM — Building Canada Strong Act and the right to strike (Online)
The Supreme Court of Canada has declared workers’ right to strike constitutionally-protected. But Mark Carney’s “Building Canada Strong” Act proposes to make it easier for the Minister of Labour to intervene in the federal jurisdiction. What does this mean for the right to strike?

4PM — Book Launch: Austerity and Resistance (519 Kaneff Tower at York University, 4700 Keele Street)
York University Global Labour Research Centre - Book launch for Austerity and Resistance: Ontario Days of Action, 1995-1998. Come and meet author Paul Kellogg, be followed by a panel discussion. This is a hybrid event with in-person and online attendance options.

4:30PM — Democratic Learning Spaces ( Nexus Lounge, 12th Floor, OISE)
OISE Centre for Media, Culture & Education - Join this event for a keynote and “long-table” discussion with Dr. Linda Nathan, Harvard University, exploring democratic education, power, ethical practice, and emerging debates in education.

5:30PM — Staging Environmental Action – Creating Awareness & Behavioural Change (The Hub - Mid Scarborough)
Scarborough Environmental Association - Would you like to build a vision and pathway for Scarborough’s environmental future? Staging Environmental Action is a free, hands-on theatre project where creativity meets environmental action.

This is a two-part workshop! Second part is Thursday, November 05, 5:30 pm.

6PM — CivicTechBrampton 28th Meetup Brampton Fire & Emergency Services ( 8 Queen St E)
CivicTechBrampton - ​Learn about Brampton Fire & Emergency Services and data analytics. Can technologists contribute their skills towards addressing the complex challenges of Fire & Emergency Services? ​Brampton Fire and Emergency Services provides fire protection, technical rescue services, hazardous materials response and first responder emergency medical assistance to the City of Brampton, in the Region of Peel​, in Ontario, Canada.

6PM — Navigating Educator and Police Complaints (Online)
Parents of Black Children - Learn when and how to raise concerns through Ontario’s educator and police complaints processes. Join Parents of Black Children for an online workshop on navigating educator and police complaints.

6:30PM — BIPOC Grief Talk (Online)
BIPOC Death & Grief Talk - Join BIPOC Grief Talk as they discuss grief in a space just for them. Grief and race are inherently interconnected, and many racialized people don't feel like their grief fits the "normal" grieving society talks about. Note: This is a BIPOC/global majority/POC-only space

7PM — One Book, Many Communities: Mohammed el-Kurd's Perfect Victims (Another Story Bookshop)
Another Story Bookshop - Join Librarians and Archivists with Palestine to discuss Mohammed el-Kurd’s Perfect Victims for their One Book, Many Communities campaign! Mohammed el-Kurd is an award-winning poet, writer, journalist, and organizer from Jerusalem, Palestine. This year's title, Perfect Victims, confronts the condemnations levelled against Palestinians as they respond to life under genocide, occupation, and settler-colonialism.

Down the road

Friday, October 30, 2026 🔗

6:30PM — Red October: a conference of socialist ideas in action (TMU Student Centre, M5B 1E9)
6:30PM — Living Room Series with SPIN & Zico (Sitti Social Enterprise, Mississauga)
7PM — Toronto launch of Suzanne Morrissette's But Have We Arrived? (Another Story Bookshop)

Saturday, October 31, 2026 🔗

10AM — Access For All Ride (Christie Pits)
1PM — A Workshop on Disabled Tactile Knowledges with Iz Paehr (Tangled Art + Disability)
1PM — Monthly Protest Against Doug Ford (Queen's Park)
1PM — Monthly Naloxone Training (Houndstooth)

Sunday, November 1, 2026 🔗

12PM — Marching Disorder: Street Music & Solidarity Songs, Co-Presented with Rad Yiddish (The Tranzac Club)
1PM — "The Battle of Algiers" (1966) film fundraizer (RSVP for location)
2PM — Resistance and rebellion: A people’s history of the Canadian state study series (427 Bloor St W.)
4:30PM — Benefit for Writers Still Under Siege in Gaza (Gallery 44)

Monday, November 2, 2026 🔗

7PM — Fall Tenant Workshops: Rules about Rent (Online)

Thursday, November 5, 2026 🔗

6PM — CSI Book Club: Toronto Urban Ecovillage Exploration (session 3-5) (192 Spadina Ave)

Friday, November 6, 2026 🔗

10AM — Youth Health & Advocacy Summit (206 Beverley St)
5PM — Seeds Beneath the Snow: An Anti-Imperialist Symposium (468 Queen St W.)
7PM — Canadian Healthcare Today: Diagnosing the Threats to Public Care (Owl's Club)

Saturday, November 7, 2026 🔗

1PM — Naza screening (Hot Docs)
1PM — VOW 2026 Annual General Meeting ( Friends House 60 Lowther Ave, Toronto)

Monday, November 9, 2026 🔗

7PM — Fall Tenant Workshops: Getting Repairs Done (Online)

Thursday, November 12, 2026 🔗

5:30PM — Staging Environmental Action–Local vs Global Food Systems & the Environment (The Hub - Mid Scarborough (SCHC & Partners) Toronto, ON)
6PM — Fighting to Win: A Course for Community and Union Activists (Venue to be shared with registrants)
7PM — NMN Meet Up: No More Noise Strategy & Impact Update (Online)

Saturday, November 14, 2026 🔗

12PM — No More Noise: Drop In (Online)
1PM — Toronto launch: NEVER AGAIN, FOR ANYONE, with Stacy Friedman & Elly Stern (Society Clubhouse, Toronto, ON)
8PM — SURJ TO 10-year Anniversary Party (Workers Action Centre)