ACF News 06.05.05

WELCOME TO THE ATKINSON NEWS

An e-bulletin of the Atkinson Charitable Foundation featuring news, views and updates from the Foundation and its partners.

Imagine that amidst the daily news report, the sports scores, the latest stock info, and GDP figures, we hear the latest Canadian Index of Wellbeing report, a measure about how we are really doing as a nation.

That day is getting closer.  Experts from across the country are hard at work, under the leadership of the Hon. Roy J. Romanow, Dr. Ron Colman, and others to create a new measuring tool that will link the economic reality and longer-term economic prosperity of our country with the social, health and environmental conditions that shape our communities.  

The latest issue of Reality Check Magazine has the scoop on the CIW, how it can help foster a common vision for the future of Canada and be used as a basis for improving health and wellbeing outcomes that matter to Canadians.

Click here for a PDF version of Reality Check   OR   Click here for a web-based (HTML) version

Mr. Romanow was in Toronto recently discussing an innovative new idea for achieving a healthier Canada. 

In a speech to the United Way of Canada's National Conference on May 6th, he gives his take on today's political hot waters and talks about his latest effort to re-focus Canadians on the things that really matter in building a stronger nation.

Click here to read Mr. Romanow's Speech, The Canadian index of Wellbeing: Taking Measure of the Things that Count

Get more info about the Canadian Index of Wellbeing and listen to Mr. Romanow’s speech online at the new CIW website

Beware the health risks of an early election, warns this edition of the ACF Spotlight.

While political jockeying fuels the debate in Ottawa, the long term health and wellbeing of Canadians is up for grabs with the Federal budget on life support.  And Charles Pascal, ACF Executive Director, can't think of a better measure of political  accountability than ensuring that this budget is given a chance to transform its somewhat hollow origins into hopeful behavior. 

Click here to read the ACF Spotlight.

Check out the following related stories

Advocates say passage of the child care provisions in the federal budget are crucial (29.04.05)  (Canadian Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada)

New CCPA Study by Andrew Jackson makes the case against more corporate tax cuts (29.04.05)  (Canadian Center for policy Alternatives)

Approval of the Budget - before an election - critical for children living in poverty say faith and social justice leaders (27.04.05)  (Campaign 2000/Campaign Against Child Poverty)

Housing Coalition Welcomes Budget Agreement (26.04.05)   (National Housing and Homelessness Network)

Want to learn more about the ACF and its mission?  Visit www.atkinsonfoundation.ca/about/mission or contact us at ciw@atkinsonfoundation.ca

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ACF News 06.05.05