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<figure id="figure-gemxps17mbm84k9xzv" class=""><img id="gemxps17mbm84k9xzv" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/19E5MjL04k0pKT7h11T5aLbRjnnJb9fgVd7y3XAweDatQys7ewzAZiDLZijMPlHL.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/19E5MjL04k0pKT7h11T5aLbRjnnJb9fgVd7y3XAweDatQys7ewzAZiDLZijMPlHL.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>High Ground 2025, the twentieth edition of the annual civic governance forum, gathered elected officials, policymakers, and community leaders from across Canada to engage in transformative discussions on public safety, climate action, political polarization, digital hostility, and community resilience. Held from March 7-8 at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver, the event brought together progressive mayors, councilors, regional directors, and school trustees to explore the theme Tipping Points: Navigating Turbulent Times—a deep dive into whether the current state of political, social, and environmental affairs is truly unraveling or if it simply feels that way.The Foundation for a Path Forward played a critical role in shaping the dialogue on digital hostility and political safety, with Co-Founder Tariq Tyab leading the workshop Cyber Hostility and Political Figures: A Crisis in Mental Health and Equity. This session examined the increasing threats of online hate and harassment against public figures, exploring strategies for fostering a more resilient and inclusive political landscape. Other key speakers in this session included Ankita Goyal, Research and Communications Coordinator at the Centre for Civic Governance, and a range of experts working on issues of equity and digital safety. The discussion underscored the urgent need for structural interventions to safeguard politicians and civic leaders from the growing toxicity of digital spaces.The forum opened with a territorial welcome delivered by Carleen Thomas, Acting Principal of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and Hermender Singh Kailley, Secretary-Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour. This was followed by an insightful fireside chat featuring Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities, and George Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary for Transit, moderated by Jonathan Fowlie, Chief Member Impact and Experience Officer at Vancity.Workshops throughout the forum provided an opportunity for in-depth discussions on policy and community-led solutions. In From Eco-Anxiety to Action: How Local Leaders Can Implement Meaningful Climate Solutions, Abbey Piazza from Youth Climate Corps BC and Ian Picketts from the District of Squamish tackled ways municipalities can address environmental challenges with practical solutions. The toxic drug crisis was another major focus, with Amanda Erickson, Cindy Lise, Daniel Snyder, Leslie Payne, and Michelle Staples offering insights into Leveraging Community-Municipal Partnerships to Respond to the Toxic Drug Crisis.Day two featured discussions on equity and advocacy, including Coalition Building in the Energy Transition Era, with insights from Andrew Williamson, Janet Andrews, Jessica Mcilroy, and Rita Steele, and Being an Active Bystander: What To Do and When To Do It, led by Mary Trentadue, Nadine Nakagawa, and Trudi Goels. Another standout session, Housing as a Human Right, featured contributions from Amy Lubik, Bailey Waukey, Rowan Burdge, and Véronique Sioufi, who examined policy strategies to ensure secure housing for all.A key focus of the conference was the role of women and gender minorities in leadership, with a dedicated session featuring Mary Trentadue, Nadine Nakagawa, and Trudi Goels sharing their experiences and strategies for overcoming systemic barriers in politics. These conversations reinforced the need for intentional policy changes to support women and marginalized communities in leadership roles.The forum’s final plenary, Political Polarization, Division, and the Rise of Conspiracy in British Columbia, brought together Erin Blondeau from the Climate Emergency Unit, Evan Balgord from the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, and Kay Kearley from the BC Flying Squad Against Transphobia. Moderated by Susan Kim, Councillor for the City of Victoria, this session examined the rise of disinformation and radicalization in public discourse and governance, offering strategies for civic leaders to counteract these challenges.High Ground 2025 reaffirmed its role as a crucial space for civic leaders to collaborate, exchange ideas, and build a more resilient and forward-thinking society. The participation of the Foundation for a Path Forward highlighted its commitment to tackling digital hate, strengthening public safety, and fostering inclusive governance. As municipalities across Canada grapple with increasingly complex challenges, the conversations and partnerships forged at this forum will be instrumental in shaping future policies and community resilience strategies.

Foundation for a Path Forward Joins 2025 High Ground: Tipping Points

<figure id="figure-toynbb1c1m723q7ec" class=""><img id="toynbb1c1m723q7ec" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/cFwBWenF3mHRIdbGhBHmnfUXrSbTqxFPW9wcvra7zvohonQ4x5ehkT6VRGPruMa8.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 10%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="10%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/cFwBWenF3mHRIdbGhBHmnfUXrSbTqxFPW9wcvra7zvohonQ4x5ehkT6VRGPruMa8.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 10%;"></figure>The Foundation for a Path Forward is organizing "Breaking Bread, Building Bonds 2: Living &amp; Acting on Truth and Reconciliation," a significant multicultural and multifaith event scheduled for Monday, March 24, 2025, at FraserView Banquet Hall in Vancouver. Building upon the success of the inaugural gathering, which united over 200 leaders from more than 20 cultural, faith-based, and Indigenous communities, this year's event aims to deepen understanding and collaboration among diverse groups, with an anticipated attendance of nearly 500 participants.The evening will feature keynote speeches and panel discussions focusing on actionable steps to advance Truth and Reconciliation. Invited guest speakers include The Hon. David Eby, Premier of British Columbia; The Hon. Niki Sharma, Deputy Premier and Attorney General; The Hon. Terry Yung, Minister of Community Safety and Integrated Services; and Norm Leech, Executive Director of Our Grandmother Earth. Cultural performances and Indigenous storytelling will honor traditions and amplify voices guiding attendees toward healing. The event also offers opportunities for networking and community building, culminating in a shared meal featuring culturally diverse foods, including Iftar, to bridge divides and foster unity.In collaboration with Our Grandmother Earth, led by Norm Leech, and partners such as the Strong Cities Network, the Association of Neighbourhood Houses, and sponsor Brian Jessel BMW, the Foundation underscores its commitment to honoring shared histories and building a unified future. This gathering is a collective pledge to act upon the principles of Truth and Reconciliation, creating enduring bonds of trust among Vancouver's diverse communities.<figure id="figure-raporjtpjxm723r99n"><img id="raporjtpjxm723r99n" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/36f3nPnJukrbOE4UbFofRK8OF7RFBMs1xCE0xW1ahXIrEhpARJD42Hy6wd3WusMC.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 30%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="30%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/36f3nPnJukrbOE4UbFofRK8OF7RFBMs1xCE0xW1ahXIrEhpARJD42Hy6wd3WusMC.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 30%;"></figure>The event is scheduled from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, with dinner served at 7:30 PM. Attendance is by invitation only, and interested parties are required to RSVP via Eventbrite. The Foundation for a Path Forward looks forward to fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration during this significant occasion.

(Upcoming) Breaking Bread | Building Bonds 2: Truth and Reconciliation (Vancouver, B.C.)

Join us on March 26, 2025, at the Taj Park Convention Centre in Surrey for a FREE Drugs and Gangs Public Safety Forum, hosted by KidsPlay Foundation and Foundation for a Path Forward in collaboration with the SACH, and Moving Forward Family Services. This critical event addresses the growing threats of drugs, particularly fentanyl, gang violence, and youth exploitation in our communities.RSVP on Eventbrite (Free): <a data-mce-href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1243439142949?aff=oddtdtcreator" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1243439142949?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1243439142949?aff=oddtdtcreator</a><figure id="figure-smuxicqdxwm7054hnx"><img id="smuxicqdxwm7054hnx" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2d3lubVq1WTLNmEt5jEV8qin7R8bEU6Rj8SFHOrvfUCmgtPfOya6Zye7c4aqE9bt.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 20%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="20%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>The forum will include panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities with experts, law enforcement, and community leaders to explore prevention strategies, youth empowerment, and resources like counseling and mentorship programs.In addition, $5,000 in bursaries will be distributed ON THE SPOT as part of our promise to provide families the financial means necessary to keep youth engaged in positive extracurricular activity.&nbsp;Together, let’s confront the fentanyl crisis and gang violence. Lets create safer pathways for our youth. Sign up on Eventbrite and join us in building a more resilient community.Date: March 26, 2025 Location: Taj Park Convention Centre, 8580 132 St, Surrey Time: 5 pm - 7 pm

[Upcoming] The KidsPlay Foundation and the Foundation for a Path Forward to Host the First "Drugs and Gangs Public Safety Forum" in Surrey

<figure id="figure-1fnpwbxcgrm6ukzukw"><img id="1fnpwbxcgrm6ukzukw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2e2vZme4oM8OLKzFmB3NsvEpbRlTfAsD1RNSQTiuO6tHvA6G8ZtMZdtlSeeSCyww.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>To mark World Earth Day on April 22, 2025, "Saving Our Planet: Faith in Action 3" will bring together faith leaders, environmental advocates, activists, and community members to engage in hands-on, solution-focused environmental action. This gathering will take place at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church. This is not just another speaking event—it’s a working, collaborative engagement where people from different faiths and backgrounds meet, collaborate, and take real action to address climate change and environmental justice.The event will include multi-faith and intercultural dialogue, interactive projects, and cooperation for environmental initiatives, ensuring that attendees leave with new partnerships, tangible action plans, and a commitment to protecting the Earth.Objectives<ol><li>Beyond Awareness — Take Action: Move from dialogue to real-world solutions and collaborative projects.</li><li>Interfaith &amp; Intercultural Collaboration: Leverage shared values from different traditions for environmental justice.</li><li>Sustainable Community Building: Connect people to work together beyond the event for lasting change.</li><li>Support &amp; Resource Sharing: Support grassroots environmental efforts led by diverse communities.</li></ol>

[UPCOMING EVENT] Saving Our Planet: Faith in Action 3

The Foundation for a Path Forward recently delivered a compelling workshop at the University of Manitoba, titled Online Harms, Islamophobia, and Resilience. This crucial event brought together scholars, community leaders, and students to address the pressing issue of digital hate and its impact on marginalized communities, particularly in the face of rising Islamophobia. The workshop provided a platform for critical discussions on the harmful effects of online intolerance, while also equipping participants with strategies to counteract these threats and build stronger, more inclusive digital spaces.Through interactive sessions and expert-led conversations, attendees explored the real-world consequences of online hate, examining how misinformation, stereotypes, and discriminatory narratives contribute to a more hostile digital environment. The Foundation for a Path Forward emphasized the need for proactive engagement, sharing practical tools to navigate and challenge online Islamophobia effectively. From digital literacy techniques to community-driven advocacy, the workshop encouraged participants to take an active role in fostering digital well-being and resilience.This event was not only an opportunity to learn but also to connect with others who are committed to creating safer, more respectful online spaces. By bringing together diverse voices, the workshop reinforced the importance of collective action in addressing online harms. The Foundation for a Path Forward remains dedicated to empowering communities with the knowledge and tools needed to combat digital hate, ensuring that the fight against Islamophobia continues beyond the workshop and into everyday digital interactions.

Foundation's University of Manitoba Workshop - Online Harms, Islamophobia, and Resilience

<figure id="figure-lf3yzxrzsm682uadi" class=""><img id="lf3yzxrzsm682uadi" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2ced8AbSCNmybxcpDAVyY6MiHpeH5lYRd3gyAIdm7VViRuTaXittr2hG48nCIFe6.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl selected" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2ced8AbSCNmybxcpDAVyY6MiHpeH5lYRd3gyAIdm7VViRuTaXittr2hG48nCIFe6.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-mce-selected="1"></figure>This two-day event will build on the South Asia Regional Hub’s work over the past two years, bringing together local elected leaders and other city officials, as well as representatives from national governments, civil society organisations and international partners to exchange insights, deepen collaboration and co-create innovative solutions. It will offer participants a platform to share the impact global crises have had on social cohesion in their city and learn more about human rights-compliant practices that have helped local governments address the proliferation of hate, violent extremism and polarisation. Participants will engage in dynamic discussions, peer-to-peer learning and breakout sessions on multiple topics designed to generate actionable outcomes for cities to take forward.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-arvg7uqktm682zpkw"><img id="arvg7uqktm682zpkw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/65bPhPirbrk5q7yh37RxHi89Smmi6eNpNrOkj0OzIrARWENCI5m9RKYvk95hhbw1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/65bPhPirbrk5q7yh37RxHi89Smmi6eNpNrOkj0OzIrARWENCI5m9RKYvk95hhbw1.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Focus Areas Include:<ul><li>Maintaining social cohesion amid urban growth and often uncontrolled migration.</li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);">Leveraging urban planning strategies to enhance inclusion, cohesiveness and <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);">resilience of cities in the face of natural disasters, violence, migration and population growth.</li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);">Empowering women leaders to address pressing local issues through greater inclusion in decision-making processes and addressing structural barriers that prevent them from leading and/or contributing to local initiatives.</li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);">Strengthening local government capacities to effectively engage young people to drive social cohesion and community resilience in their cities. This includes developing strategies for integrating youth voices into local decision-making, fostering civic engagement and equipping young leaders to address pressing urban challenges.</li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal);">Addressing online hate and threats to information integrity – and thus mitigating their offline harms -- by building digital resilience.</li></ul>

Foundation for a Path Forward

Foundation News

Foundation for a Path Forward Joins 2025 High Ground: Tip...

(Upcoming) Breaking Bread | Building Bonds 2: Truth and R...

[Upcoming] The KidsPlay Foundation and the Foundation for...

[UPCOMING EVENT] Saving Our Planet: Faith in Action 3

Foundation's University of Manitoba Workshop - Online Har...

Global Crises, Local Impact: City-Led Prevention and Resp...