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Wellesley Institute works in research and policy to improve health and health equity in the GTA through action on the social determinants of health.

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Michael Shapcott

Praying for change: Last day for ISARC vigil at Queen's Park

People of a variety of faiths have been praying on the front lawn of the Ontario Legislative Assembly at Queen's Park for the last month in the lead up to the provincial budget tomorrow. The Interfaith Social Assistance Review Committee explains: "In all faiths, there is concern for the neighbour, especially the individual or family who is poor.  All humans have an inherent dignity which hunger, poverty, homelessness, or illness can diminish.  It is in community where we find our true humanity and understand our faith explicitly." The prayers on budget day will be led by Lutheran Bishop Michael Pryse. ISARC invites others to join them at 4:15 pm for the media conference and/ or at 5:00 pm for the final prayers for Members of the Provincial Parliament, people who struggle with poverty, and the faith groups who have joined us over the past month.  

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Michael Shapcott

Michael Shapcott

Michael Shapcott is Director, Affordable Housing and Social Innovation at Wellesley Institute. Michael has worked extensively in Toronto, in many parts of Canada, nationally and internationally on social innovation, the non-profit sector, civic engagement, housing and housing rights, poverty, social exclusion, urban health and health equity. He is recognized as one of Canada’s leading community-based housing and homelessness experts. He is currently on secondment to the Princes' Charities Canada.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Land

We wish to acknowledge this land on which the Wellesley Institute operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.

Revised by the Ceremonial Committee at the University of Toronto Office of Indigenous Initiatives in April 2021.