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Humanity Above All.
These simple words by J. E. Atkinson ring as true for us today as they did when the Toronto Star's publisher set out on a social crusade at the turn of the 20th century.
His unrelenting commitment to transform his city and his country from a place of inequality and despair to a kinder and fairer society is well chronicled in the new film Fighting Words: the Social Crusades of Joseph. E. Atkinson.
In 2005, the Foundation was hard at work with our partners to carry on our mission of promoting social and economic justice in the tradition of Joseph E. Atkinson:
- Helping the dream come alive for early learning and child care in Canada through support for five Toronto First Duty sites that put into practice the kind of enriching programs that every child and family should have available;
- Fostering new ideas and energy towards the achievement of smart reforms in our income security programs so that everyone can live in dignity, not poverty;
- Progressing in our efforts to measure what matters to Canadians through our support for the development of the Canadian Index of Wellbeing;
- Redoubling our efforts to solidify the cornerstones of social and economic justice through universal medicare, public education, and affordable housing.
Perhaps because our founder had his roots in the newsroom, we believe that for good ideas to come alive and spark the imagination of the public at large and decision-makers alike, they must have an opportunity to be seeded in the public arena.
So we continue to work with our partners to build our communications effectiveness. We continue to act as a convener and "honest broker" bringing people and their promising ideas together with those who can make change happen.
And we have rallied behind people and projects that can inspire Canadians to build a more progressive society. The remarkable work of our three Economic Justice Fellows, Armine Yalnizyan, Roy Romanow, and Cathy Crowe, is a case in point.
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