Archive
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2021
In November 2021, Canadians for a Civil Society and University of Alberta partners hosted a three-day national online conference exploring the Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ legacy, concluding with commitments to meaningful societal change.
2019
On March 19, 2019, CCS collaborated with MacEwan University to raise awareness on gender inequality and how Canadians for a Civil Society strive to increase diversity and inclusion. The event took place on campus, where three of our board members participated as presenters and facilitators. The presentations were on gender equality and civil society – which is also part of the CCS mission.
In the aftermath of military confrontations and heightened tensions in South Asia, CCS founders and directors agreed to convene a discussion in Edmonton among Canadians who promote peace across all countries, and particularly Canadians with ancestral roots in Pakistan and India who have demonstrated personal commitment and interest in strengthening people-to-people relations in the Indian subcontinent. This peace dialogue was intended as a free and frank exchange of views on what we as Canadians can aspire to, in fostering a civil society and a culture of peace in the subcontinent.
Human Rights Day celebrated on December, 2019 at the Alberta Legislature. The individuals who were recognized for their work in the community and involvement in the advancement of human rights
2018
The 2018 BECA symposium took place over two days: May 14 & May 15. This event was initiated by Judy Piercey, our board member from 2016 to 2017. We partnered with MacEwan University, NorQuest College, Robertson College and Edmonton Heritage Council to raise awareness about the mental health and emotional well-being of Refugees, Seniors, Youth and Adolescents, and Indigenous Canadians.
The Judge Gurcharan Bhatia Citizenship Awards are handed out to students who are helpful to their classmates, courteous, hardworking, and portray the good qualities of a Canadian citizen. Full time students enrolled in Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program at NorQuest College are eligible. More information about this award including deadline to apply can be found below.
Human Rights Day celebrated on December, 2018 at the Alberta Legislature. The individuals who were recognized for their work in the community and involvement in the advancement of human rights
2017
The 2017 BECA symposium took place from May 17 to May 18. This event was initiated by Judy Piercey, our board member, from 2016 to 2017. We partnered with MacEwan University, NAIT and Indo-Canadian Women’s Association to raise awareness about human rights violations.
The winners of NorQuest’s Civil Society Speakers Series’ student essay contest. There were three categories for a student to be able to win in this essay contest.
Human Rights Day celebrated on December, 2017 at the Alberta Legislature. The individuals who were recognized for their work in the community and involvement in the advancement of human rights
2016
The 2016 BECA event took place from May 13 to May 14, 2016, and was initiated by Judy Piercey, our board member, from 2016 to 2017. Our First ever BECA event! We partnered with MacEwan University, NAIT and Indo-Canadian Women’s Association to raise awareness about human rights violations.
Human Rights Day celebrated on December, 2016 at the Alberta Legislature. The individuals who were recognized for their work in the community and involvement in the advancement of human rights
2015
In preparation for Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, CCS partnered with the Peter Lougheed Leadership College at the University of Alberta to convene a citizen engagement on April 15, 2015. The event’s purpose was to engage citizens to share their visions, hopes and dreams for the future of Canada.
To mark the UN International Day of the Girl Child, Canadians for a Civil Society partnered with the Indo-Canadian Women’s Association. We organized the first public screening of Leslee Udwin’s film, India’s Daughter, in Alberta on October 15, 2015, at the Art Gallery of Alberta.
Human Rights Day celebrated on December, 2015 at the Alberta Legislature. Members of the CCS Board along with other community leaders were introduced in the Alberta Legislative Assembly to mark the UN Human Rights Day. The occasion witnessed all-party statements on the importance of human rights and peace, and the positive role organizations like the CCS are playing in this regard.
2014
This handbook’s purpose for community work is to end gender discrimination. It was formally launched at a special event on June 18, 2014, along with the release of a biography – Truth, Love, Non-Violence: The Story of Gurcharan Singh Bhatia that presented the life of this prominent Edmonton human rights activist and longtime citizenship judge.
In the fall of 2014, Daughters Day founders Gurcharan Bhatia (left) and Charan Khehra (right) met with Edmonton Strathcona Member of Parliament, Linda Duncan, to present a petition she took forward to the House of Commons. The petition, with over 200 signatures, urged the government to act about the murdered and missing Indigenous women in Canada.
Human Rights Day celebrated on December, 2014 at the Alberta Legislature. The then Premier and Ministers of Education, Human Services, Justice and Solicitor General, and Culture and Tourism, made a Ministerial Statement on Human Rights Day and introduced several community leaders, including CCS Board Members who were engaged in the work of promoting and protecting human rights. In addition, then Leaders of Opposition Danielle Smith, Dr. Raj Sherman, and Rachel Notley made Members’ Statements and also introduced some other CCS Board Members.
2013
In 2015, the handbook Together: Creating A Better World was published. It is based on gathering input to end gender discrimination from nearly 200 women in Alberta.
On October 11, 2013, CCS marked the International Day of the Girl Child with an event at Grant McEwan University that featured a screening of the movie Three Deadliest Words in the World and a keynote address by Rumana Monzur, an Assistant Professor at Dhaka University.
Human Rights Day celebrated on December 2013, CCS celebrated the 65th anniversary of the greatest gift of the 20th century, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to mark the Human Rights day at Edmonton’s City Hall.
2012
Prior to the first Daughters Day event in September of 2012, CCS had two special events in the spring of the year to begin to lay the foundation for its signature event. As part of the groundwork, the first community engagement was held at a coffee house – The Carrot – that featured the talents and sharing of Indigenous women. The second such session was organized at NorQuest College with a focus on the experiences of newcomer women.
Our very first Daughters Day event was in September of 2012, as an annual feature, the Daughters Day is now one among the key community activities that most Edmontonians look forward to every fall.