Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour

Episode 51: Understanding Islam in Guelph

On Thursday July 8th, Iman Mubeen Butt of the Muslim Society of Guelph and Principal Sara Sayyed of the Guelph Muslim School were our special guests on the Breezy Breakfast show.

Sara and Mubeen answered questions and discussed topics including - but not limited to - the following:

Muslim women covering their heads or faces,
Muslim attitudes regarding alcohol and other similar substances,
Media coverage of and Hollywood's depiction of Muslims, and
Islamophobia and how it can be addressed.

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Episode 50: PRIDE! LGBTQ2S+

Good day Breezy Ones…. 

Last week, we celebrated Pride on our Rainbow Zoom call.

Moderated by Indigo Kim, we had a diverse panel discussing the local Pride scene.

Chris Fischer (they/them) is a Guelph-based music professional with thirty years experience as a church organist/choir director.  They have been a member of The Elora Singers since 2012 and have led the tenor section of the Guelph Chamber Choir for fourteen years.  Since 2018, they have been the Accompanist of the Rainbow Chorus of Waterloo-Wellington.

Since 2018, Chris has identified publicly as trans nonbinary and intersex, which means they have both male and female sex characteristics, while having an understanding of their gender that is neither that of a "man" nor a "woman."  Chris helps to demystify the conversation around gender diversity so that other transgender and gender nonconforming individuals are more widely visible, validated, and affirmed by society at large.

Michael Erickson is the lead owner of Glad Day Bookshop, the world's oldest LGBTQ bookstore. Glad Day Bookshop isn't just a bookstore & bar – it also serves as a community and cultural hub, running over 70 events per month and providing support to a range of people in need.  Glad Day has a non-profit side called Glad Day Lit.  Glad Day Lit organizes the world’s largest LGBTQ literary festival ‘Naked Heart,’ which takes place in the Church and Wellesley Village. During the pandemic, Glad Day Lit raised over $300,000 for LGBTQ artists, performers and cash-based workers; Glad Day Lit has provided over 900 emergency grants, and has paid artists and performers during 2020.

Amy Smoke and Shawn Johnston are our two-spirited indigenous guests – they are the co-organizers of Land Back Camp in KW, now situated in Laurel Creek Conservation area, and are active community organizers in the region.

Odesia Howlett (she/her) is a black, cis, queer alumna of the University of Guelph and has lived in Guelph for 10 years.  In that time, she has worked alongside Out on the Shelf for several years, including chairing Guelph Pride in 2019/2020.

Out on the Shelf (OOTS) is a library and resources centre located at 10C in the heart of downtown Guelph.  Members can sign out library books or drop in (pre-pandemic) to talk with someone about all things LGBTQIA+.  OOTS was an idea in 1997, became a registered non-profit in 2008, and is now a major hub of knowledge and support for people of all sexual and gender identities.  OOTS is also the parent organisation of Guelph Pride, which puts on two festivals throughout the year:  one in February around the anniversary of Operation Soap, and the other in June to celebrate Pride Month.

 

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Episode 49: Open Mic

This week, we returned to the open mic, a lightly moderated breakfast where we encouraged all attendees to bring forward local issues.  Hot topics were:
The Ontario Reformatory Lands, including what a Part V heritage designation does and does not do,
AND
The results of the Ward Boundary Review, including the recommendation of 8 wards with 1 full time councillor per ward.

 

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Episode 48: The Library and the Baker Street Saga

Hi, Tanya Gevaert here!

While reading about the history of the Guelph Public Library, I came upon the following: “A movement had been put forward to erect a separate building at the turn of the century but had come close to a standstill because of lack of funds and a suitable location. The mayor, Mr. John Kennedy and the Council of 1902 donated part of the park which formed Nelson Crescent and in the spite of the objections of the citizens over this use of park lands for a building, the building of the new Library commenced.”

Lack of Funds? Trouble finding a suitable location? The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Talk of a new main public library started in 1995. The proposal to buy the Post Office was squashed in 2005. The Chief Librarian noted that the Baker Street lot offered the city an opportunity to build a library for the 21 st century while invigorating downtown.

Three preliminary concepts for the Baker Street parking lot were presented to Council in 2008; however, the new library was not included in the 2010 capital budget. In March 2012, a report recommended that a 90,000 square foot 21 st century facility be built with all the typical library components, along with community meeting spaces, green space, and state-of-the-art Archives. (Sound familiar?)

Fast-forward to 2021. Guelph has an opportunity to work with Windmill developers, a company committed to erecting zero ecological footprint buildings. Their mixed-use projects are LEED Platinum certified; their motto is “People + Planet + Prosperity.” The perfect partner for a “green” city.

Their vision of the Baker District includes the new Main Library, residential and mixed-use buildings, and open public space.

It’s been a long and winding road, and we’ve arrived at the same place as we did in 2008. The time has come for Guelph to make a firm commitment to revitalize the downtown core with the new Main Library as a solid anchor.

On June 11, our guests were Steve Kraft (CEO of GPL), Scott Butler (Chair of the GPL Board), and Stephanie Guy (Project Manager, City of Guelph). We heard about the new Main Library and the Baker District Redevelopment. It was the perfect way to get prepared for the Council Report and Presentation on July 21.

 

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Episode 47: A visit from OPIRG Guelph

On the Breezy Breakfast of June 3, 2021 we were joined by Mandy Hiscocks - Coordinator of Organizational and Policy Development and Natali Euale Montilla (Rosa Amarilla) - Coordinator of Volunteer Programming and Community Engagement - from The Ontario Public Interest Research Group Guelph.

OPIRG has a very long history in Guelph. It has encouraged many community campaigns ranging from promoting organic gardening and reducing pesticide use to the Campaign for Disinvestment in South Africa, to the ongoing Rivers Cleanup and now the campaign for Fossil Free Guelph.

Nationally, THE “PIRGs” were ‘launched by “public interest” activist Ralph Nader in the early seventies as a means to harness the energy and talents of students to help solve pressing social and environmental problems. The OPIRG Guelph chapter was founded at the University of Guelph in 1976 following a visit that Nader made to Waterloo in 1974.’

OPIRG is an organization that determines its activities democratically. It works to ‘strengthen the link between the University of Guelph campus and our surrounding community. While OPIRG is campus-based, the goal is to inspire and involve students, faculty, and other staff in addressing issues of environmental and social justice in the community. Much of the local work involves collaborating and networking with individuals and groups in the Guelph area to build partnerships with like-minded organizations.'

OPIRG has been the cradle of many who became prominent in the Guelph Community: Peter Cameron was there from the start. Former Mayor Karen Farbridge was at the helm for some years before becoming mayor. It was influential in establishing the Hillside Festival.

As Public Interest Founder Ralph Nader expressed to former OPIRG stalwart the late Carole  Milligan:  “Once you are an activist, you will never be lonely again”. If you’re inspired by OPIRG’s vision there are many types of activism that you can get involved in: from writing articles, becoming a Board member, joining an Action Group or even proposing new projects and initiatives.

Listen in on this episode to hear Nat and Mandy outline how OPIRG kills boredom - creates life long opportunities for community building while working for social and environmental justice everywhere.

 

 

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Episode 46: the Reformatory Lands

Have you ever wondered why there is so much activity - cars, bikes, pedestrians - on the south side of York Road near Elizabeth Street?  Guelph's Ontario Reformatory Lands is one of the most picturesque places to take a walk, hike, meditate, and soak up nature's beauty.  Along the way, you'll pass by Heritage trees, fieldstone walls, ponds, and the old reformatory buildings.

These lands are owned by the provincial government, and Guelph's own Yorklands Green Hub wanted to purchase a 70 acre parcel of this land.  Alas, this is no longer possible, as the provincial government has decided to sell the entire property in a one shot deal.  For this week's breakfast, recorded on May 27, 2021, our guests from the YGH focused on the Natural and Cultural Heritage designation of these lands.  In short, a higher designation will provide the OR lands with better protection:  some of the lands might even remain in the public realm.

Norah Chaloner will kick things off with some introductory remarks.  Susan Ratcliffe will describe the Cultural Heritage value of the OR lands and will give an introduction to the Natural and Cultural Heritage designation process.  David Alton will discuss the benefits of a Part V designation and how it fits with the Guelph Innovation District Secondary Plan.  Alex Smith will bring it all back home by investigating City Staff's recommendation of a Part IV designation, rather than the stronger Part V designation.

The OR designation decision will be made at the June 14th council meeting.  This lively presentation will inspire you to make a delegation!

 

This breakfast was co-moderated by Tanya Gevaert and James Gordon.

 

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Episode 45: Youth Takeover

Hi everyone, James Gordon here:

As part of the organizing team behind Breezy Breakfast, I’m thrilled that we continue to grow our list of participants each week. We now have 275 subscribers, and many more check us out every Monday morning at 9 am on CFRU or listen to our podcast. We are reaching out to a real diversity of interests and voices in our community. If there’s one area where we are under-represented, it’s in our youth. As the senior member of the Breezy Gang, I’m sensitive to that!

On Thursday, May 20th, we gave our gathering over to a vibrant group of young people. Our guest moderator is Indigo Kim, an activist and high school student here in Guelph. She’s assembled a team of her peers who will speak to their concerns, their experience with education during COVID, climate change, the need for gender-neutral bathrooms, and other issues that affect them.

 

This session was moderated by Indigo Kim!

 

 

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Episode 44: MP Lloyd Longfield

Member of Parliament Lloyd Longfield joined to field questions and discussion points from the Breezy audience on Thursday, May 13.

Tempers may have flared at times in this rapid-fire round of questioning that included discussion on housing, the BDS movement, climate action, and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

This session was co-moderated by James Gordon and Tanya Gevaert.

 

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Episode 43: Open Mic!

Every once in a while, we do these open mics to allow more space for all attendees to steer the discussion respectfully and collectively. Attendees set the tone, and the Breezy organizers lightly moderate to make sure everyone can engage on what matters to them.

 

This open mic brought up the long-term care crisis, upcoming agenda items at City Hall, and more.

 

This session was moderated by Dustin Brown.

 

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Episode 42: Honouring the National Day of Mourning

In honour of the National Day of Mourning on April 28th, this Thursday’s Breezy Breakfast mourned workers killed and injured on the job, and discussed how to prevent future loss.

 

We were joined by a suite of guests from the local labour movement:

 

Bonny Durtnall, a local labour historian who outlined some history of workplace dangers in the Guelph area; Wayne Samuelson of the Labour College of Canada, who offered a broad perspective on Health and Safety in Ontario; Barrie Fowlie of Guelph, current director of Workers United Canada Council and International Vice President of Workers United, who discussed his 40 years of efforts to improve workplace safety; and Sarah Neath, United Food and Commercial Workers Compensation Representative, who spoke on safety issues in grocery stores and food preparation facilities, especially as these are compounded by COVID-19.

 

Please listen in on this important Breezy Breakfast to remember those who have been lost on the job, and think about how we can prevent tragic loss of life going forward.