Thank you to all the candidates for the DA Canada 2023-2025 Board! Please see the election updates and candidate statements below.

The following positions received a single nomination and will be acclaimed and begin to hold these positions at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) March 26, 2023. RSVP for the AGM here.

Chair: Erin Kotecki Vest

Executive Vice Chair: Jacob Wesoky

Co Vice-Chair: Heather Paterson

Co Vice-Chair: Anya Brown

Treasurer: Susan Brennan

Counsel: Alicia Windsor

Membership Secretary: Sue Alksnis

Volunteer Manager: Randi Weitzner

IT Manager: Jessica David

In accordance with the DA Canada Bylaws, the above candidates will also serve as DPCA Voting Representatives. 

As a result of the above candidates’ election by acclamation, we received fewer male or non-binary nominees for DPCA Voting Representative than needed to achieve gender balance in accordance with the DPCA Charter. Accordingly, the following nominees who identify as male will also be acclaimed as DPCA Voting Representatives:

Steve Nardi
David Mivasair
Noah Goldstein
Finn McGrath

The following candidates who identify as female are running for DPCA Voting Representative. Ballots will be circulated by email by March 5, 2023. We received no nominations from non-binary candidates.

Julia Buchanan
Rachel Eugster
Julia Gould
Eden Wein

We will be seeking nominations from the floor at the AGM for the following positions, which received no nominations: Secretary, Programs and Events Manager, and Male/Non-Binary DPCA Voting Representatives. If you would like to run for one of these positions and would like more information, please contact the Nominations and Elections Committee at [email protected] . View the position descriptions here. 

Join the DA Canada Board and help us win in 2024! Deadline for nominations: 11:59 PT, February 9, 2023

Nomination Process: You can self-nominate or nominate someone else, with their permission. Nomination forms must be submitted. Your nomination form includes a short candidate statement that needs to describe skills and experience pertinent to the position (or office) for which you or your nominee is running. 

Term: Starting March 26, 2023 for two years, ending approximately March 2025, covering the next Presidential election, which is always an exciting time to be involved.

Eligibility: All currently registered members of Democrats Abroad Canada are eligible unless prohibited (i.e., term limits) per the Democrats Abroad Canada Bylaws.  Nominees must be willing to stand for office. 

Nomination Deadline:  February 9, 2023 11:59 p.m. PT. After nominations are closed, we’ll provide ballots and information on voting by email.

The DA Canada Annual General Meeting and Elections are coming up!

Join us at 2:00 PM EDT on Saturday, April 30, 2022 for the DA Canada AGM. We will meet online to celebrate the accomplishments of our volunteers in 2021, share opportunities to help win the Midterm elections, hear from special speakers, announce the results of our 2022 Board vacancy elections, and take nominations from the floor for open positions, including the Executive Vice Chair position.

View the Candidate Statements below for several open Board member positions we will be electing. We will be taking nominations from the floor for Executive Vice Chair. If you are interested, you can view the position descriptions and call for nominations here. Email the Nominations and Elections Committee with any questions here: [email protected].

The Democrats Abroad Canada Board is looking for you! 

The DA Canada Nominations & Elections Committee (NEC) is seeking nominations for officers to serve for a 2022-2023 term:

• Country Chair/DPCA Voting Representative
• Executive Vice Chair/DPCA Voting Representative
• Two (2) Vice Chairs/DPCA Voting Representatives
• Programs and Events Manager/DPCA Voting Representative
• Two (2) Alternate Voting Representatives 

Learn more about these positions at this link. Get the details of how to self-nominate or nominate someone else here. You can also get more information on March 10 by RSVPing for our info session at this link.

The Democrats Abroad Canada Board is looking for you! 

The DA Canada Nominations & Elections Committee (NEC) is seeking nominations for officers to serve for a 2022-2023 term:

• Country Chair/DPCA Voting Representative
• Executive Vice Chair/DPCA Voting Representative
• Two (2) Vice Chairs/DPCA Voting Representatives
• Programs and Events Manager/DPCA Voting Representative
• Two (2) Alternate Voting Representatives 

Learn more about these positions at this link. Get the details of how to self-nominate or nominate someone else here. You can also get more information on March 10 by RSVPing for our info session at this link.

On March 9, 2021, Democrats Abroad Toronto held its Annual General Meeting and elected a new Board for 2021-2023. We are so excited to have these wonderful volunteers leading the chapter. Please join us in welcoming the following Board members:

Thank you for your support throughout 2020. We are looking forward to keeping the momentum going.

"Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." This is what the ERA guarantees. It is inconceivable that this language does not already exist in the Constitution. It is tempting to think that the ills this simple sentence is meant to address are no longer a concern, but it is just not so. Systemic bias exists everywhere - we need only to look at the data showing that the pandemic has disproportionately affected women - to confirm that we have not achieved equality and Congress needs tools to help us do so. Personally, as an employment lawyer, I see discriminatory decision-making in the workplace all the time. In the past, as my mother and other women of her generation experienced first-hand, employers would simply say they were denying them opportunities on the basis of sex. They had no real recourse. Even though employers are less likely now to say that they are making a decision based on a candidate's or employee's sex, it happens all the same. Passing the ERA is essential to ending sex-based discrimination in the workplace and throughout our society, which would benefit us all. It's as simple as that. - Danielle, Missouri voter residing in Canada.

Join us at 7 pm on March 9, 2021 for the Democrats Abroad Toronto AGM.  We will be announcing the result of our 2021 Board elections and taking nominations from the floor for open positions.  We will also be celebrating everything we achieved in 2020. Please see the candidate statements below for the various Board member positions we will be electing.

Voting will be taking place electronically, and the Nominations and Election Committee will circulate ballots in advance of the AGM. Keep an eye out in your email for your ballot.  RSVP Here for the AGM.

WELCOME TO DEMOCRATS ABROAD TORONTO!

Join Dems Abroad | Register for your ballot VoteFromAbroad.org
Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
For media inquiries, please contact Karin Lippert or +1 877-336-2008

DA Toronto (DATO) is a chapter of DA Canada, the official country committee for US Democrats living in Canada.

We help US citizens vote in US elections through voter registration and keeping people informed on key issues. We also have lots of opportunities to volunteer with our Get Out the Vote efforts!

Hundreds of American citizen volunteers across Canada are working to educate all eligible U.S. voters on their right to vote and how to get their ballots to vote in every election. That includes Canadians who were born in the U.S. and those born in Canada to an American parent(s), who therefore have the right to vote. Americans living in Canada CAN deliver the difference in close elections.

Go to VoteFromAbroad.org today to register for your ballot.

Past Toronto events include Women's Marches, Tax Seminars, Fourth of July parties, Thanksgiving dinners, Election and Debate Watch parties, voter registration events and pub meet-ups.  We are active in-person and online as much as possible.  Please check our Events page and News page for more information.

We also post voter and event information as well as current political news on social media. Please follow us on Instagram and our Facebook page and share!

If you have questions or would like to help with Democrats Abroad Toronto, please contact us.

Democratically yours,

Dianna English, Chapter Chair
Democrats Abroad - Toronto

Join Dems Abroad | Register for your ballot VoteFromAbroad.org
Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Annual General Meeting - February 25, 2020

Board Meeting Minutes – Draft

Attendance: Danielle Stampley, Karin Lippert, Mari Rutka, Virginia Smith, Brooke Scott, Stephanie Perry, Steve Nardi, Liam Keating, Kaitlyn Min, Yusuf Nakhooda, Mandy Moore, Carey Singer, Joann Sochor, Paulette Kelly, Jeanette McCabe, Reg Charney, Diana English, Tim Ellis, Tomas Bribriesco, Liz Olin, Dawn Lambert

Meeting called to order by Danielle at 6:05 p.m. Danielle asks folks to review 2019 AGM minutes. Steve reminds us that only those at the previous meeting can vote to approve.

Approval of the Agenda: 

Danielle asks to add discussion of Global Convention under other business. Mari moves approval, Karin seconds. Approved.

Vote for Co-Vice Chair: 

On-line ballot and paper ballot process closed as of Feb. 25^th. Some paper ballots passed out at meeting to those who didn't vote. Mari held the ballots until Reg could take them and tally them at the end of the meeting.

Minutes and Business Arising from the Minutes:

Approval of March 17, 2019 AGM Minutes

Danielle asks for additions or corrections. None suggested. Stephanie moves approval of the minutes, Virginia seconds. Approved.

Treasurer’s Report: tabled for later in the meeting (see below).

Report on 2019 Events:

Karin speaks to events done last year, which included:

• Toronto Women's March in January, 2019
  
• Women's Caucus Movie Night
  
• US Tax Seminars
  
• Panel with Donna Brazile and Leah Daughtry
  
• Rally to Release the Mueller Report
  
• Women's Caucus Potluck at Mari Rutka's Home
  
• Women's Caucus at Second City Toronto 
  
• Global Climate Strike Rally at Queen's Park
  
• Lights for Liberty Rally to Keep Families Together
  
• Meet & Greet with Julia Bryan
  
• "No One is Above the Law" Rally
  
• Thanksgiving Dinner
  
• Debate Watches
  

Karin reminds us to check our e-mails for upcoming events. Copy of list to be attached to minutes.

Future Scheduled Events:

GPP Voting Center, March 3, 7 & 8

Danielle speaks to the excitement of coming events. We have a debate watch after the AGM. She explains about the global presidential primary voting centers. Can vote on-line, but can also come to a voting center. There will be 4 centers. On March 3rd, one at East of Brunswick pub, one at Square One. She asks everyone to volunteer, especially in Mississauga. One on 7th at East of Brunswick and one in Mississauga on the 8th. Democrats Abroad get 21 delegates to the Democratic National Convention.  They are allocated according to percentage of votes for those candidates getting over 15% of votes.  Have gotten many new members over the past few months.

Global Convention for Democrats Abroad, May 15-17

In May, there will be up to 300 people from chapters all around the world in Toronto for the Global Convention.  This is where delegates will be elected. The more voters in the Canada in the GPP, the more delegates Canada could send.  There will be training as well on get out the vote activities at the convention. Toronto was chosen because of proximity to the US. Some folks may come up from the DNC and possibly even candidates.  Details on how to become a delegate are online.  

Liam says he gets questions he can’t answer. Steve points him to [email protected]. 

We will be using Zoom for remote access to the convention. Steve says we’re all welcome to attend. A call-out went out for volunteers and home stays. There are dorm rooms at Univ. of Toronto and rooms at the Chelsea. Contact Danielle if you want more information on this.

Pride, June 26-28 

This is one of the largest community outreach opportunities. There are a lot of Americans that attend. We have a booth on Church Street. Hoping to march in the parade this year. Would like to get 100 people to march. Danielle gives examples of elections in Florida and Kentucky where the number of Democrats Abroad can make a difference in election outcomes.

There will also be other events to help get out the vote. Intend to set up on campuses. Would like to set up in Guelph because there are lots of Americans at the school because of their veterinary program. Liam says he’s met someone at Guelph who is interested. Steve says we need to connect them to local chapter. Danielle says please speak to her if you are interested in helping organize get out the vote events.

Danielle explains that most Democrats Abroad Toronto meetings are the second Tuesday of each month and everyone is welcome to come and help out.

Announcement of Election Results:

Reg says there were 76 votes for chapter co-vice chair.

Tim Ellis wins with 39 votes.

Carey Singer 28

David Green 9

No spoiled ballots.

Danielle thanks all who participated.

Treasurer’s Report (held from earlier):

Reg reports to the fiscal year end which is Dec. 31, 2019.

Reg submits details, which will be attached to the minutes for the AGM.

Motion to approve the report by Dianna, seconded by Danielle. Approved.

Next Meeting: 

Future scheduled Board meetings:

• March 10, 2020
• April 14, 2020
  
• May 12, 2020
  
• June 9, 2020
  
• July 7, 2020
  

Adjournment moved by Mari at 6:46 pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Mari Rutka

Due to a resignation in 2019, we are looking for male/male-identifying/non-binary candidates to volunteer to serve as Co-Vice Chair of the Democrats Abroad Toronto Board for the 2020-2021 term. (Our DA Charter and the DA Canada Bylaws require Chapters to have a Vice-Chair of a different sex from the Chapter Chair (currently female), which is why this position has a restriction on who can run.)

Serving on the Board is a great way to take action and make a difference in 2020. We will be organizing debate watches, running a polling place for the Democrats Abroad Presidential Primary, and most importantly Getting Out the Vote for 2020!

The Co-Vice Chair performs the following role:

In the absence of the Chapter Chair, either of the Co-Vice Chairs shall call and preside at meetings of members and of the Executive Committee. The Co-Vice Chairs shall have such other duties as chairing one or more committees. The Co-Vice Chairs shall work with the Chair to ensure all responsibilities approved by and on behalf of the organization are supervised and executed appropriately.

The voting will take place online during February and at the DA Toronto Annual General Meeting on February 25, 2020. Further details of the AGM will be sent in January 2020 according to our Bylaws.

If you have any questions about what's involved and whether this is a good fit for you, email us at [email protected]democratsabroad.org.

The DA Toronto Women's Caucus brings members together on a key issue

A group of about 20 Democrats Abroad Toronto members, all women except for one, gathered over a June 9 potluck dinner to discuss strategies for resistance to the anti-choice laws that have been recently enacted in Alabama and elsewhere.  The Alabama law, which is the most restrictive in the nation, would outlaw nearly all abortions and make performing an abortion a felony.  Legislators in a number of other states, including Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Ohio have also recently passed bills limiting women’s right to terminate a pregnancy.  It has become evident that the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision is not an adequate protection of American women’s ability to control their own bodies.

The pro-choice potluck dinner was graciously hosted by Toronto Board Secretary Mari Rutka at her home.  The comfortable atmosphere enabled people to talk about their own lives.  Toronto Women’s Caucus Chair Karin Lippert noted that “bringing women together, especially at a potluck in someone’s home, just like a quilting bee or a consciousness-raising group, gives women an opportunity to talk about their personal experiences.  The story telling builds solidarity. It leads to unity, determination, and action.”

Jennie Toby, one of the participants in the dinner and discussion, talked about her stance on women’s right to choose this way: “I believe it is incredibly important that women have the right to choose what is best for them.  The nuances and considerations that get factored in when making such an important decision, such as to continue or terminate a pregnancy, rest solely within the realm of the woman and her day to day life.  No one can possibly know what that woman’s life is like, what her situation is, or what she should do.  I do not and cannot support any laws that remove that choice from a woman.  To do so is to remove any faith and trust in a woman’s capacity to make an informed choice about her life and future.”

Much of the discussion at the potluck focused on ways to make the case for women’s right to choose.  We know that we have made the case many times before, but laws related to choice never seem to get finally settled.  Therefore, it is vital to keep showing why protection of the freedom to choose is the only fair and just way to proceed.  We agreed that we might be able to change people’s minds about choice, not by making theoretical arguments, but by telling stories and asking questions.  We can ask: what would you do in this impossibly difficult situation?  We can tell stories about why women make the difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy.  We concluded our discussion by writing postcards to our Congressional representatives, urging them to uphold the right to choice.

*Thanks to Toronto Board Member Virginia Smith for writing this post.

At the 2019 AGM, the DA Toronto membership elected the following members to its 2019-2020 Board:

• Danielle Stampley, Chair 
  
•  Karin Lippert, Vice Chair 
  
•  Reg Charney, Treasurer 
  
•  Mari Rutka, Secretary 
  
•  Janette McCabe, Member at Large 
  
•  Brooke Scott, Member at Large
  
• Kate Leuschen-Millar, Member at Large 
  
• Sam Rowan, Member at Large 
  
• Stephanie Perry, Member at Large
  
• Ed Ungar, Member at Large
  
• Arielle Loeb, Member at Large
  
• Virginia Smith, Member at Large

They all look forward to serving the chapter members as we approach the 2020 election. Ever forward!

Julie Buchanan, our past DA Toronto Chair, has been doing some spring cleaning and would like to offer a deal to our members for some of our 'vintage' T-Shirts in our $20 for 2020 Fundraiser. T-shirts and swag will be sent straight to your shipping address, via Canada Post.

Sign up here! Help support our Get Out the Vote efforts for 2020!

Hundreds of Toronto-based Democrats Abroad (DA) members crowded into the Madison pub on November 6, 2018 to celebrate the party’s gains in 2018 and their own efforts to change the balance of power in Washington by helping to flip the control of the House of Representatives.

Democrats Abroad Toronto exerted unprecedented efforts to reach U.S. absentee voters by staffing a call centre based in the Cadillac Fairview Tower for two months before Election Day. The centre operated from noon to 9 pm seven days a week. A total of 150 volunteers made 20,000 calls from the centre. Toronto’s centre was primarily managed by DA member Arjun Gupta, who assisted volunteers with the use of the centre’s computers and the scripts used to motivate the members who were reached.

Call centre volunteers talked to Democrats based in Mexico, Italy, France, and countries around the globe. Volunteers were energized as they conversed about common concerns with Americans who were living thousands of miles or, in some cases, half a world away. On election day, one young volunteer spent over 12 hours calling U.S.-based members in Ohio and Texas.

The high spirits that fueled this mid-term election effort were evident in the great throng that gathered at the Madison as the results were announced. The proceedings included the sale of buttons and “It’s Mueller Time” T-shirts to enthusiastic party members. Democrats were exuberant when the announcement came that the party had won control of the House. There was some regret about the outcomes for Andrew Gillum, Beto O’Rourke, and Stacey Abrams, but we were also certain that there is a “next time” for these candidates.

Toronto chapter vice-chair Danielle Stampley told the cheering crowd that the voter contact effort this year was the “biggest success ever for a mid-term.” Stampley summed up the DA mid-term experience this way: "Because of our amazing volunteers, we exceeded expectations getting out the vote this year. We are thrilled that our efforts paid off and we flipped the House. Now, we are ready for 2020."

By Virginia Smith