November, 2025

National Child Day November 20

It’s about celebrating children as:

active participants in their own lives and in their communities
active citizens who can and should meaningfully contribute to decisions that affect their lives

The United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on November 20, 1989. Canada joined in 1991, making a commitment to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect and have every opportunity to reach their full potential. This commitment includes:

protecting children from harm
ensuring children’s basic needs are met
providing children opportunities to have a voice (speak out and be heard)

Despite promising progress led by the adoption of the Convention, millions of children continue to suffer violations of their rights when they are denied adequate healthcare, nutrition, education and protection from violence. Today, childhoods across the world continue to be threated by global challenges like the rise of conflict, climate change and rising cost of living. (2)

UNICEF estimates that 213 million children in 146 countries and territories require humanitarian assistance. Global cuts to aid and crises in places like Gaza and Sudan are making it even harder for children to access the support they need most. (2)

Children in Canada are also facing challenges. According to UNICEF’s Report Card 19, Canada currently ranks 19^th out of 36 high-income countries on child well-being. One in five children report experiencing frequent bullying and Canada reported one of the highest adolescent suicide rates among wealthy countries. (2)

It is time for a more ambitious approach in Canada. The national strategy for children and youth proposed in Bill S-212 (An act respecting a national strategy for children and youth in Canada) can bring children into sharper focus on the federal agenda and help ensure that their interests and voices are central to our shared future. It can help Canada achieve outcomes for children comparable to those in other high-income countries, addressing the mounting evidence that early public investments during childhood lead to better outcomes for children, and improved societal and economic returns. This Bill received first reading in May, 2025. (2)

For more information please refer to: www.unicef.ca/sites/default/files/2025-10/UNICEF_Canada_Brief_2025_Bill_S-212.pdf

(2) www.unicef.ca/en/national-child-day

Sudbury Pride to host vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance

Sudbury Star Staff

Published Nov 11, 2025

Fierté Sudbury Pride has invited the community to a vigil in observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, to be held at Greater Sudbury Public Library, 74 MacKenzie St. in Sudbury, on Nov. 20 at 6 p.m.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on Nov. 20th that honours the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence over the past year. It is a day of mourning, reflection, and solidarity.

“This vigil is a space for our community and allies to come together in grief and in love,” Fierte Sudbury Pride chair Aspen Groom said in a media release. “We remember those we have lost not as statistics, but as people with dreams, families and futures. It is also a powerful reminder of the work that still needs to be done to create a world where all transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse individuals can live safely, authentically and without fear.”

For more information, follow Fierte Sudbury Pride on Facebook or Instagram or visit sudburypride.com

Remembrance Day November 11

Veterans want Canadians to understand the price of freedom. They are passing the torch to the people of Canada, so the memory of their sacrifices will continue, and the values they fought for will live on in all of us.

At 11 A.M. on November 11, 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The allied armies had driven the Germans back, having inflicted heavy defeats upon them over the preceding four months. In November, the Germans called for an armistice, or suspension of fighting, in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted allied terms that amounted to an unconditional surrender.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years. The moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war. This first modern world conflict had brought about the mobilization of over 70 million people and left between nine million and 13 million dead, perhaps as many as one-third of them with no known grave. The allied nations chose this day and time for the commemoration of their dead soldiers.

Indigenous Veterans Day

National Aboriginal Veterans Monument

Indigenous Veterans Day is observed on November 8, to recognize the courage and sacrifice of First Nation, Inuit and Métis people in military service.

It is estimated that, in total, over 12,000 Indigenous people have volunteered their services on the front lines, serving in all conflicts that Canada has been involved in.

The First Nations, Inuit and Métis have a long and proud tradition of military service to Canada, which continues today with Indigenous people serving in Canadian Armed Forces around the world — from NATO duties in Europe to United Nations peace operations.

On the home front, Indigenous people donated large amounts of money, clothing and food to worthy causes. Indigenous women had important roles during conflicts — serving as nurses, air traffic controllers and radio operators.

On Indigenous Veterans Day, we honour the important contributions of Indigenous peoples to protect rights and freedom in Canada, and we remember those who lost their lives for our country and those whose lives were forever changed.

2025 Calendars are here !

The John Howard Society Inmate Art Calendars are here and ready. Contact us at 705.673.9576 or at office@johnhowardsudbury.com to pick one up. They are inflation proof and at the same price as last year ! Just $20.00 and all ,proceeds are used for JHS programs and services.

In The News

MPPs, John Howard Society, back police board push to keep Cecil Facer open

Tyler Clark Sudbury.com Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.

Greater Sudbury’s two NDP MPPs and the John Howard Society have thrown their support behind Greater Sudbury Police Service board advocacy around the Cecil Facer Youth Centre. Last month, the board unanimously approved their endorsement of a letter urging the province to keep the youth centre open. Police had expressed concern that closing Cecil Facer would further complicate prisoner transport, resulting in male youths being transported to and from Brampton. …

In a joint letter by local NDP MPPs Jamie West (Sudbury) and France Gélinas (Nickel Belt), the police board’s call to keep the youth detention centre open is echoed. “This facility plays an essential role in supporting youth rehabilitation, protecting community safety, and ensuring that Northern and Indigenous youth have equitable access to justice and reintegration services,” they wrote. “The available data and local experience make clear that closing CFYC would have significant negative impacts on youth, families, law enforcement, and the broader community.”

In addition to reiterating the police board’s concerns and points reported by Sudbury.com, the MPPs note that closing the youth centre will “be terrible for the reintegration back into their community.” “These children have families or guardians that care about them and if the family members have to travel to visit them, and that’s not always possible,” they wrote. “The youth will lose the connection to their support system which can cause an emotional toll on youth already at risk.”

With Indigenous youths accounting for approximately half of youths in custody admissions despite representing less than 10 per cent of the youth population, the MPPs noted that the centre’s closure “would therefore disproportionately harm Indigenous youth and deepen existing inequities by isolating them from culturally appropriate supports and family networks.”

In their letter of support, tabled in the agenda of the Oct. 15 police board meeting, John Howard Society of Sudbury CEO Sara-Jane Berghammer thanked the police board for bringing the issue to the forefront. “The province seems to have forgotten that the land was donated to the province by Judge Cecil Facer and his family, who wanted the land to be used to support youth in conflict with the law,” she wrote. “Justice Facer was an eminent advocate for youth in conflict with the law and presided over the Sudbury Juvenile and Family Court for 20 years.”

While she wrote that the John Howard Society of Sudbury would continue to advocate for alternatives to incarceration for youth in conflict with the law as their first priority, “we know that youth who have been convicted of serious crimes where custody is the disposition need to be housed in a facility close to their geographical home. That is a prime factor in their rehabilitation.”

For full article go to Sudbury.com October 10, 2025

90% of Law Enforcement, Legal Professionals and Community Providers Agree More
Community-Based Bail Supervision Program Key to Building Safer Communities,
Reducing Pressures on System

Christin Cullen CEO Jacqueline Tasca, JHSO

On the eve of expected federal bail reform legislation, a new landmark report by the John Howard Society of Ontario (JHSO) outlines common sense changes that are under provincial jurisdiction, and backed by law enforcement, legal professionals and community providers, to strengthen Ontario’s bail system. The new report, entitled Finding Common Ground: Cross-sector solutions to modernize Ontario’s bail system found overwhelming support for enhanced community-based supervision and community-based approaches to crime prevention with 90% of 106 survey respondents from across the province agreeing that the Bail Verification and Supervision Program (BVSP) and investments in long-term community safety would improve the bail system and reduce system pressures. The Ministry of the Attorney General-funded BVSP is delivered by community agencies that provide bail supervision and case management to individuals who are not considered high-risk and who might otherwise be denied bail for lacking a surety or other forms of assistance. Research supports the value of BVSPs as effective and safe alternatives to pre trial detention – not only offering bail monitoring but also additional services that address criminogenic risk.

The report recommends the following actions and investments to allow the system to focus its finite resources on serious cases as it was designed to do, while at the same time enhancing public safety.

• Better funding and utilization of Ontario’s Bail Programs: Bail Verification and Supervision Programs (BVSPS) are delivered effectively by community based agencies across Ontario, while Residential Bail Bed programs reduce pretrial detention pressures and lead to more successful monitoring and individual outcomes. But there are only a handful of sites in Ontario offering Bail Beds, and BVSPs are underfunded, especially for rural and remote catchments. Better funding and utilization of both will reduce court and remand pressures and enhance bail outcomes.

• Enhance inter-agency collaboration Improved linkages between police, courts and social services such as housing providers, backed by a “whole of government” approach, would address the social determinants of crime and enhance public safety.

• Improve court efficiencies The province should expand specialized courts to support and inform the bail adjudication process and promote the use of judicial referral hearings to reduce unnecessary proceedings for Administration of Justice offences, streamline legal processes, alleviate pressure on courts and better reflect social realities faced by marginalized groups.

“The research shows that everyone involved in the system — from police to lawyers to social workers and service providers — believes we can reduce pretrial detention, keep communities safe, and support vulnerable individuals by investing in proven bail programs and community supports,” concluded Safiyah Husein, a lead author of the report and JHSO’s Director of Policy. “At a time when there are cries for bail reform, we must seize the opportunity to put common sense solutions in place that are proven to both support individuals and build safer communities, helping police and courts focus on violent and serious cases.” For more information, please contact: Jacqueline Tasca jtasca@johnhoward.on.ca Phone: 416-408-4282 Ext 224

JHSO gratefully acknowledges its funding from Maytree, which made the Re:thinking Justice series possible.

United Way of North East Ontario

United Way’s Keeping Seniors Warm Program helps by providing seniors aged 55 and above with essentials such as coats, boots, socks, and mittens.

This year’s program takes place in November 2025 in Sudbury, Espanola, Timmins, North Bay, and for the first time, New Liskeard. Eligible participants are invited to a special shopping day, paired with a volunteer, and receive a goodie bag donated by local businesses.

Charitable Gaming funds Sudbury’s essential services

Delta Bingo and Gaming helps fund over 160 local organizations in Greater Sudbury. We are excited to share the latest round of Charitable Gaming social media graphics with you, available in both English and French! This creative aligns with the new Out-of-Home (OOH) campaign, which you’ll also see across Ontario on billboards, transit, DriveTest centres, Cineplex, and more. There is an an advertisement running at the corner of Lasalle Blvd and Notre Dame.

Champion of the Month

Today, the Legion is Canada’s foremost Veterans’ organization, with Branches and Members honouring service, promoting Remembrance, and supporting Veterans, RCMP members, their families, and communities. The John Howard Society of Sudbury has had staff who were former members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Our contact with the varied branches of the Royal Canadian Legion in Sudbury has been an honour for us. Through the Legion’s donations to the JHS, many of our clients have received assistance and services.

Thank you Royal Canadian Legion for your ongoing dedication to our community. You are our Champion of the Month !

The John Howard Society believes in effective, just and humane responses to crime and its causes. We are dedicated to creating genuinely safer communities by helping to foster a truly effective criminal justice system. The John Howard Society helps people reintegrate into society, thereby reducing alienation, crime and recidivism.

Our mission is resolute. We want to help to create a truly effective criminal justice system – one that serves us all, that confronts crime and its causes and that fosters safer communities. In short, we help people turn away from a life of crime. Surely, that’s what we’d all like to see.

Practically speaking, we STOP Crime Now ! ^TM through the multitude of programs and services that we offer to the community. You can help us to STOP Crime Now ! ^TM through your donation to the John Howard Society of Sudbury. All funds raised are used to deliver our programs and services in the Sudbury and North Bay communities. STOP Crime Now ! ^TM is a registered trademark of the John Howard Society of Sudbury.

We are proud to commemorate Prisoners Justice Day every year. It is a day where we remember the violence within the walls of incarceration and the men and women who have died because of this violence while incarcerated. In 2025 the commemoration will be on August 10 at 10:00 am on the grounds of the Sudbury Jail. For more information please go to the Prisoners Justice Day page on our website.

(NEW!) The John Howard Society assists people with criminal records to apply for a record suspension, formerly known as a pardon. It is a lengthy process and can take up to two years. If you would like more information contact the John Howard Society as soon as possible.

Some of our funders include the following and we are truly appreciative of their support. Given that the vast majority of Canadians claim to give to charities but just less than 25% of Canadians claim their charitable donations on their tax return, you may want to make sure you know the benefits! Your donations are important ! Please remember us.

To easily calculate the tax savings for a donation of any amount, use https://www.canadahelps.org/taxtime/.

For information on how our programs and services can be accessed in French contact the John Howard Society of Sudbury at the references located on our contact page. Those programs and services that are available in French are noted with an (F) in the title of each service or program. The John Howard Society is an inclusive agency serving all people in our community. We have posted the Pride progress Flag on our website as a symbol that everyone is welcome to enter our agency for service.

Vianet is a proud supporter of the John Howard Society and the great work that we do all across Ontario to provide effective, just, and humane responses to crime and its causes. Vianet supports and helps in creating safer communities and to STOP Crime Now!

June is National Indigenous History Month. For more information please go to our Events page.

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