Speaker Series

CFUW Ontario Council Speaker Series are free, virtual public sessions hosted via Zoom focusing on important social, historical, and economic issues. Our recent themes have featured discussions on "Women Leading Change," the role of patriarchy from historical and modern perspectives, and women in the skilled trades. Speaker Series are opened to members and guests connected through their local CFUW clubs across Ontario

Registration is online with each event listing.

2025-2026 SPEAKER SERIES

Artificial Intelligence & Education

This talk addressed the role and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. We heard from Dr.Janette Hughes a Professor in Digital Literacies and Canada Research Chair, Technology and Pedagogy, in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University and and Dr. Laura Morrison, EdD, OCT is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University.

Watch the recording

Women in Skilled Trades

Speaker Series, Feb. 22, 2025

The three guest speakers discussed initiatives, programs, and research aimed at increasing female participation in traditionally male-dominated trades careers. Speakers highlighted various challenges women face in these fields, including workplace culture issues and barriers to entry, while showcasing successful programs that provide training, support, and mentorship opportunities for women entering trades.features Our three speakers were Stephanie Allen, Program Manager of Skilled Trades at WEST of Windsor, Joni Jean from Conestoga College, and Dr. Amin Yazdani, Executive Director of the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance at Conestoga College

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2024-2025 SPEAKER SERIES

Post-Secondary Funding

Funding concerns in Ontario universities and colleges have reached a critical point and many institutions are on the brink of collapse. Our two guest speakers, MPP Peggy Sattler (London West) and Jenny Ahn, Executive Director, Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations, outlined the issues and suggested some paths forward, depending on collective and political will to “fix” the post-secondary systems in our province.

Peggy Sattlers Presentation

Jenny Ahn's Presentation

October 26, 2024

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Affordable Housing

Speaker Series, Nov. 30, 2024

Affordable housing, especially for our vulnerable and disadvantaged, is in crisis. Our November panel of experts in housing shared their experiences and thoughts on this topi, outlining the issues and suggested some paths forward, depending on collective and political will. Our speakers included:Chiara Padovani, activist and founder of the York South-Weston Tenant Union (YSWTU), Douglas Kwan, Director of Advocacy and Legal Services at the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO), and
Marlene Coffey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA).

Additional resources are:

Douglas Kawn's Slides
Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario
How Vienna Became the World's Most Livable City (The Guardian)
Raise the Rates Coalition
Fair Rent Ontario
Toronto Tenant Union
End Youth Homelessness video

Watch the recording

Declaring Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic

Speaker Series, October 25, 2025

The Speaker Series session on October 25, 2025 gave us a powerful look at Intimate Partner Violence and how it affects women in Ontario. Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP for Toronto Centre sponsor of Bill 55: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Epidemic Act, 2025 spoke with passion and provided information about the Bill.

To view this recording, send us an EMAIL with your CFUW affiliation.

WOMEN LEADING CHANGE

Speaker Series

2025-2026 SPEAKER SERIES

Artificial Intelligence & Education

Club Leadership Seminar

Role of the Patriarchy

Women in Skilled Trades

2024-2025 SPEAKER SERIES

Post-Secondary Funding

Affordable Housing

Declaring Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic

WOMEN
LEADING
CHANGE