Category: Health

Personal health, and health/medicine policy

Film Screening: The Spirit of ’45, 2pm on Saturday 22 November 2025 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

The Spirit of '45 (B&W photo of people gathering. From their clothing this is in 1945)
Come together for The Spirit of ’45. A story of hope, solidarity, and the power of community in protecting public healthcare.

Ontario’s public healthcare is under threat, and our communities are speaking up. The Waterloo Region Health Coalition affiliated with the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) is part of a province-wide movement urging the Ford government to stop the privatization of our healthcare system.

Join us for a special screening of The Spirit of ’45, a moving film that reminds us of what’s possible when people come together for the common good. Through the story of post-war Britain’s creation of public healthcare, we’re reminded why protecting ours matters now more than ever.

This fundraiser is more than a movie, it’s a call to action, a chance to stand together for fairness, compassion, and care for all.

Admission and Donations

How much is admission?

Admission is by donation. We suggest a minimum of $10, with all proceeds supporting the Waterloo Region Health Coalition’s work to protect public healthcare in Ontario. You’re welcome to contribute more if you wish; every bit helps!

Can donations be made at the door on the event day?

Donations can be made by e-transfer to admin@ontariohc.ca (include “Waterloo fundraiser” in the message) OR by credit card at https://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/index.php/donate-now/

Can donations be made at the door on the event day?

Yes, we will accept cash or personal cheques at the door.

Vigil for Drug Users, Kitchener City Hall at 10pm on 31 December 2024

What: Vigil for Drug Users A lit candle with a cardboard wax catcher about halfway down.
When: 10:00pm on Tuesday 31 December 2024
Where: Carl Zehr Square (Kitchener City Hall)
Location: 200 King Street West, Kitchener Map

David Alton writes:

Several lived expertise consultants have come together to organize two events over the next two weeks to highlight the urgent crises facing unsheltered community members and drug users.

On December 31st at 10pm there will be a vigil for drug users at Carl Zehr Square (Kitchener City Hall) to raise awareness about the impending loss of the safe consumption site. Folks will be handing out flyers and educating NYE revellers about what makes drug use safe vs unsafe.

Have a wonderful holiday season of rest and action and resistance and joy!

Candlelight Vigil by KOMUnews used under a CC BYCC BY license.

Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil, 6:30pm on Wednesday 20 November 2024 at Waterloo Town Square

What: Vigil for the Trans Day of Remembrance 2024 Spectrum Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community Space (the word "Spectrum" ends in a rainbow)
When: 6:30pm to 8:30pm, Wednesday 20 November 2024
Where: Waterloo Public Square
Location: 75 King Street South, Waterloo, Ontario Map
Online: https://ourspectrum.com/2024/11/19/trans-day-of-remembrance-2024/

On November 20th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Spectrum will be hosting a candlelight vigil at Waterloo Town Square (75 King St. S.), to honor transgender lives lost. This event is open to the public. Please read more about the event at SPECTRUM Trans Day of Remembrance 2024.

Agenda

  • 6:30 – Candle lighting / settling in the space
  • 6:40 – Welcoming drum song / thanksgiving address from Willow River Centre
  • 6:50 – Land Acknowledgement
  • 6:55 – Introduction / moment of silence
  • 7:00 – 8:00 – Main Speakers
  • 8:00 – 8:25 – Open microphone for the public to honor their loved ones
  • 8:25 – 8:30 – Closing / second moment of silence

Keep in mind this agenda is fluid, and depending on the length of speakers the evening may end earlier than 8:30 PM.

Stand Up For PCL fundraiser, Wednesday 6 November 2024 at Maxwell’s Concerts & Events

When: 7:00pm on Wednesday 6 November 2024
Where: Maxwell’s Concerts & Events
Location: 35 University Avenue East, Waterloo Ontario Map
Website: Stand up for PCL – Comedy Event
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/stand-up-for-pcl-comedy-event-tickets-1000355358807

Parents for Community Living (line drawing of a house with three circles with the text under an extended roof)Parents for Community Living is having a fundraiser: Join Parents for Community Living for an evening of laughter and purpose as we Stand Up for PCL to help develop housing for people with developmental disabilities.

Attendees will be treated to uproarious performances by top-notch comedians Rob Bebenek and Martha Chaves. The evening will be a blend of entertainment and goodwill as the power of laughter brings people together for a positive impact.

7:00pm doors open and silent auction begins. Show starts at 8:00pm (approx.90 min show). Wrap up of silent auction after the show.

Join Us For an Evening of Laughter and Purpose Parents for Community Living Proudly presented by: Wawanesa Insurance Gowling WLG 2nd Annual Stand Up For PCL Rusty Nail Comedy Eventbrite Tickets $45 $40.00 Early Bird Ends Sept 30th Students $35 Feature Sponsors: Erb & Erb Financial Services Graham Mathew Western Financial Group Canada's Insurance Broker Josslin Insurance a Real Insurance Broker Voisin Chrysler Elmira Wilmot Technologies Your Personal IT Department Headliner Rob Bebenek Headliner Matha Chaves Nov 6 2024 Stand Up for PCL Maxwell's Concerts & Events 35 University Avenue East Waterloo Doors Open & Silent Auction begins 7:00pm Show Starts 8:00pm Tickets available on Eventbrite (various sponsor logos, and photos of the headliners)

A Womb With A View Movie Night in Willow River Park, 6:30pm on Thursday 10 October 2024

What: Mental Health Day Movie Night
When: 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Thursday 10 October 2024
Where: Willow River Park (aka Victoria Park), Kitchener Map
Contact: Two White Feather or Gentle Eagle at awombwithaviewmakesadifference@gmail.com

October 10 is WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

A Womb With A View is recognizing this with showing video clips 🎥 of Mental Health as seen through an Indigenous lens! You are invited to join us from 6:30pm to 8:30pm under the stars ✨ in Willow River Park . Bring your blanket or chair. We will have a Potluck Snack drink 🥤 🍫 🍿 table – please bring what you can share with others, if you are able.

Let us know if you will be there by emailing awombwithaviewmakesadifference@gmail.com

Chi Miigweech

Under The Stars Movie Night Thursday, October 10 (2024) Willow River Park To honour World Mental Health Day (various movie-themed clipart images, including people watching a movie screen with a "7" from the start leader, and a Fight Back KW logo)

Rally to keep CTS sites open in Ontario, 5:30pm Wednesday 28 August 2024 at 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener

What: Rally to keep Consumption and Treatment Sites open in Ontario
When: 5:30pm to 8:30pm, Wednesday 28 August 2024
Where: in front of Waterloo Region Council Chambers
Location: 150 Frederick Street Map

From the Social Development Centre Waterloo Region:

SDC stands in solidarity with those asking the province to keep CTS (Consumption and Treatment Services) sites open in Ontario. Come show your support at at a rally for change tonight.

Dear friends,

SDC is deeply concerned about the planned closure of Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) sites across Ontario, and we wanted to share our official statement with you. The Ford government’s decision is anti-science, anti-evidence, and yet another way to limit the healthcare options available to Ontarians. SDC stands in solidarity with drug use advocates and all those who’re asking the province to keep CTS sites open.

Read The Media Release (PDF, 251 kBytes) (Mirror)

Julian Ichim and Donald Lacasse are members of SDC’s lived expertise consultancy and have been fighting for safe injection sites with the Alan Ryan People’s Defense Brigade since 2014. These are some of their reflections on the provincial government’s decision to dismantle harm reduction services like CTS sites and safe supply.

What some lived experts are saying: “By closing down the safe injection site and rejecting safe supply, the Ford government is promoting criminality and keeping drugs in the hands of dealers who only care about profit and not people’s lives.” “I am worried that this is a process of elimination. They did this when they first came to this land. By eliminating us, they can start over. They can erase us and rewrite history again.”

How You Can Help

Please join us in supporting grassroots organizers at a peaceful rally this evening – together, we can bring greater awareness and urgency to the need for an adequately resourced, evidence-based drug strategy in Waterloo Region.

Tonight’s rally for change is being organized by the Drug Action Team Waterloo Region, an unfunded, volunteer-driven team of Waterloo Region residents with interest, experience, and expertise in resolving a wide range of drug-related issues. You can find them online at drugactionteam.ca.

Overdose Action Day Rally for Change. Wednesday, Aug 28th. 5:30 – 8:30pm. 150 Frederick St. Kitchener. 820+ residents of Waterloo Region have died by preventable overdose. Rally together to call all levels of government and community to action. We have the evidence, we know the solutions, now is the time for action. Bring your signs, banners, shirts, photos of loved ones. Free Pizza (while supplies last).

In solidarity,
The team at SDC

KW Vegfest, Saturday 27 July 2024 at Waterloo Public Square

What: KW VegFest
When: 2:00pm to 7:00pm, Saturday 27 July 2024
Where: Waterloo Public Square Map
Location: 75 King Street
Website: https://kwvegfest.ca/
Contact: kwvegfest@gmail.com

Waterloo Region Climate Initiatives Presents

Kitchener Waterloo VegFest

  • Free Face Painting (2:30pm – 5:30pm)
  • Sweet and Savoury Sustainable Food From Around the World
  • Free Samples
  • Free Raffle
  • Climate and Health Info

Back For Our 7th Year

Online: https://kwvegfest.ca
Instagram: @kwvegfest
Facebook: KW Veg Fest

Waterloo Region Climate Initiatives Presents Kitchener Waterloo VegFest NEW DATE: Saturday July 27, 2024 From 2:00 to 7:00pm at Waterloo Town Square Free Face Painting (2:30pm – 5:30pm) Sweet and Savoury Sustainable Food From Around the World Free Samples Free Raffle Climate and Health Info Back For Our 7th Year Online: https://kwvegfest.ca Instagram: @kwvegfest Facebook: KW Veg Fest

KW VegFest is an initiative of Waterloo Region Climate Initiatives, and has brought sweet and savoury plant-powered festivals to Waterloo Region since 2018. We are here to entertain, to raise awareness about the connection between climate breakdown and the farming of animals, and to give the public the opportunity to love our shared planet with plant-based foods.

KW VegFest, Waterloo Public Square, 11am Saturday 11 May 2024

KW Vegfest on 11 May 2024 was cancelled due to weather, it has been rescheduled for Saturday 27 July 2024

What: KW VegFest
When: 1:00pm to 6:00pm, Saturday 11 May 2024
Where: Waterloo Public Square Map
Location: 75 King Street
Website: https://kwvegfest.ca/
Contact: kwvegfest@gmail.com

KW VegFest is an initiative of Waterloo Region Climate Initiatives, and has brought sweet and savoury plant-powered festivals to Waterloo Region since 2018. We are here to entertain, to raise awareness about the connection between climate breakdown and the farming of animals, and to give the public the opportunity to love our shared planet with plant-based foods.

Kitchener Waterloo VegFest Pop-Up | Saturday, May 11, 2024 | 1pm - 6pm | Waterloo Town Square | Come celebrate our 7th year!
 

VEFOFEST Popup + Jaqui NDS Tribute

Join UW Animal Rights Society for an evening of powerful music, speakers, poetry, art, estatic dance, food, & inspiring performances.

Instagram: @UWAnimalRights, @VEFOmusic

Saturday July 29th (2023) 4pm at University of Waterloo Arts Quad (Dana Porter Library) | VEFOFEST Popup + Jaqui NDS Tribute | Join us for an evening of powerful music, speakers, poetry, art, estatic dance, food, & inspiring performances. | @UWAnimalRights @VEFOmusic (black letters on a gradient purple-to-green background, with a clip art image of a leaping dancer, a staff of musical notes, and a ribbon microphone)