Event summary produced by The Globe and Mail Events team. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.
The rise of geopolitical tensions, misinformation, population growth, and economic challenges are placing significant strain on Canada’s social fabric. Societal tensions and division are becoming more pronounced, making it difficult for communities to unite and find common ground.
On November 19th, The Globe and Mail hosted a half-day hybrid event to discuss solutions to counter hate and racism at the community level. The event was the first in a series of national conversations The Globe and Mail is hosting through June 2025.
Missed the live event or would like to view it again? Scroll down to watch full replays (English and French versions).
Rita Trichur, senior writer and columnist with The Globe and Mail emceed the event, which began with an opening ceremony by Ka’nahsohon (Dipped Feather) Kevin Deer, Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, Indigenous Elder.
Mohammed Hashim, CEO and executive director of the CRRF made introductory remarks, and was followed by Lela Savic, founding editor-in-chief of La Converse. Ms. Savic led a discussion on anti-Palestinian racism, Antisemitism, and Islamophobia. Ms. Savic interviewed Brian Bronfman, president of the Bronfman Family Foundation and co-founder of the Peace Network for Social Harmony; and Dr. Amal Elsana-Alhjooj, founding executive director of PLEDJ (Promoting Leadership for Empowerment Development and Justice).
Ms. Savic then segued to a discussion about anti-Asian racism in view of the pandemic and Canada-China relations. The panel included Karen Cho, filmmaker, writer and director of “Big Fight in Little Chinatown”; Xiaobei Chen, professor of sociology with Carleton University, and The Honourable Teresa Woo-Paw, chair of the board with CRRF.
Next, Carla Beauvais, social entrepreneur, co-founder and executive director of Fondation Dynastie, hosted a panel discussion among community leaders and advocates sharing their lived experiences and stories. The panel included Maïtée Saganash, human rights activist and columnist, and information officer at Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay; Mamadi III Fara Camara, radio frequency engineer, mobile and satellite communications; and Dalila Awada, Quebec activist columnist and speaker.
Rima Elkouri, journalist and columnist with La Presse then led a discussion on systemic racism in health care. The panel included Dr. Samir Shaheen-Hussain, pediatric emergency physician and author of the award-winning book, Fighting for A Hand to Hold: Confronting Medical Colonialism against Indigenous Children in Canada; Yvonne Sam, R.N., S.C.M., R.M.N, BSc.N., MEd., Dip. Adult Ed; and Sylvain Beaudry, STBBI outreach worker with Indigenous Health Centre of Tiohtià:ke.
Ms. Beauvais returned to the stage to conduct an interview on Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, featuring Fernando Belton, director general of the Saint-Michel Legal Clinic; and Tamara Thermitus, distinguished lawyer, Boulton Senior Fellow at the Faculty of Law of McGill University, who negotiated the terms of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
That conversation was followed by a discussion about online hate and racism in the digital world, moderated by Ms. Elkouri. The interview included Dr. Ghayda Hassan, professor with the Department of Psychology, UQAM - University of Quebec in Montreal; and Emilie Nicolas, columnist, podcast host, political commentator and public speaker.
The event concluded with remarks from Mr. Hashim, followed by a closing ceremony by Ka’nahsohon (Dipped Feather) Kevin Deer.
View full replays (English & French) here:
The Globe and Mail presented the event with sponsor support from Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
Watch for details on the next event, taking place in Ottawa on March 5. To learn about future Globe and Mail events visit www.globeandmail.com/events.