Category Archives: Events

Brantford news, Events, Meetings

Excellent overview of the family doctor challenge

Jill Berridge, daughter of longstanding member Janet Kempster, held the audience in rapt attention as she provided an overview of the current challenges in the medical system in general and Family Medicine in particular. Jill was well qualified to address this topic being an accomplished healthcare administrator and leader with extensive experience at Mc Master U, serving for 12 years as Program Director of Health Services in the Dept of Family Medicine along with several other leadership positions and awards spanning 30 years.

She explained why it is so difficult for the 2 million people without a family doctor to find one. This is exacerbated by the fact that this number will double in 5 years. Fewer doctors are choosing Family Medicine and 52% of current Family Doctors will retire in 5 years. Jill explained in laypersons terms some of the funding structures that both help and hinder the challenges of our medical system – again with a focus on the Family Doctor as it relates to time restrictions per patient visit, remuneration, and more lucrative opportunities in hospitals or specialized fields. But then she shared how new structures for medical clinics staffed with a broad spectrum of services, IT programs that relieve hours of paper work, and AI innovations (for the future) will create a more favourable climate to attract graduates into Family Medicine. In closing she gave out two websites now dedicated to finding a Family Doctor: bbnoht.ca/services and Ontario.ca/healthcareconnect   It was evident by the applause, the Q and A, and the comments following the presentation that Jill had touched on an area of deep interest and concern for all present.

We are very grateful for this insightful and knowledgeable overview.

Linda T

Brantford news, Events, Meetings, What's new

A New Location for Monthly Meetings

Starting in September, 2026, our Wednesday evening meetings will be held at the Best Western on Holiday Inn Drive in Brantford. At the May AGM, members voted unanimously for the move. This change  was made to allow more time for our meetings, especially for socializing after the business part of the meetings. While we are grateful to McCleister for hosting us for the past year, we have had to sacrifice some things due to the time constraints at that site. The room we will be using at Best Western is the Alexander Graham Bell room across from the main reception desk.  It will be available to us for as long as we would like each evening. It will be wonderful to have time for our meetings, for the speakers, and especially for chatting over treats at the end of the meeting. Hope to see you all there at 7:00 pm on September 23.

Colette W for the Search Committee

Brantford news, Club Projects, Events

Trivia Night!

First Place (Team 22) Brian Finnigan, Theresa McClenaghan, Breanne Finnigan, John Finnigan
Second Place (Team 16) Norah O’Leary, Catherine Sawyer, Chuck Merritt, Betty Morris
Third Place (Team 19)
Meghan Cameron, Jan Tyrrell, Randy Johnson, Michele Dodds

Last year, the weather was terrible, the Dunsdon Legion made the decision to close and we obviously were relieved to postpone Trivia Night until March.  We took a poll of those registered and the resounding vote was that we continue to hold the event in March.  This year, 27 teams competed to be the winner of our 17th Trivia Night.  This year, we had no ties!! Results were as follows:  First Place – Team 22, Second Place – Team 16   and Third Place – Team 19.   

Naomi Krol (new to the position) and helpers, ran another amazing sale of new/very gently used books, and took in $293.00! There were 29 Door Prizes, all generously donated by members. Our usual Heads or Tails game took in $198.10 and Logan Klassen went home with a $100 gift certificate to The Keg, compliments of McCleister Funeral Homes.  We also received $175.00 in donations!!

 

At the end of the evening, everyone was invited to enjoy pizza donated by Dominos Pizza.  Dominos has supported us since the beginning, and we appreciate their generosity.  Please consider purchasing a pizza from them sometime in the next couple of months, to show your thanks.  As usual, Sandra Eisenbach of the Dunsdon Legion was very friendly and accommodating!  Thanks to all of the volunteers:  Wendy Bethune, Diane Bradley, Rhynda Bulson, Teddy Buzek, Lynne Duncombe, Karen Innes, Kazuko Kikuchi, Naomi Kral, Anne Martin, Marla Merritt, Kaye Russka, Mieke Schroeder, Barb Scott, Gloria Smith, Maria Timmons.

Thank you to all who donated gifts, money, and time for our 2026 Trivia Night.  A more detailed report will be included in the AGM Booklet. 

Our profit for the event, after expenses was just under $2,600.00!  

The Trivia Night Committee – Brenda, Colette, Dian and Lynn

 

Brantford news, Club Projects, Events, Issues and Advocacy, Meetings

Afternoon Tea: Scholarship Fundraiser, Sunday October 25, 2026

purchase tickets via e-transfer to: cf**************@***il.com


Chantal Saldanha is a Professional Engineer and serves as the Software and Cybersecurity Manager at GD Land Systems – Canada. She leads a dynamic team responsible for delivering software that enables the capabilities of Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) and developing cybersecurity features to protect and defend these vehicles.

Chantal grew up in the town of Simcoe in Norfolk County and attended elementary school there. She graduated from Assumption College High School in Brantford, excelling in STEM fields. She went on to earn an honours degree in Engineering, with a focus on Biomedical Engineering, from the University of Guelph.

In 2000, Chantal began her career at Honda of Canada Manufacturing as a plant ergonomist. In 2001, she transitioned to a Human Factors Engineering role at GD Land Systems – Canada. Over the years, she gained experience in Survivability Systems and Project Engineering. She briefly left engineering to implement a Software Management program for the Canadian family of vehicles before returning as the leader of the Software and Cybersecurity team.

In 2021, Chantal co-founded the GD Land Systems Women’s Employee Resource Group with two colleagues, creating a platform for mentorship, networking, and skill-building to support the career growth of women within the organization.

Brantford news, Club Projects, Events, uncategorized

Trivia Night: Wednesday March 11, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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    Brantford news, Events, Meetings

    January meeting: Zoom only!

    Our Speaker for the January 28th General Meeting (Note: This Meeting is on Zoom) 

    We are pleased and honoured to have CFUW Brantford member, Theresa McClenaghan, speak to us at the next General Meeting on January 28. Theresa’s topic for this meeting is the future of environmental laws in Canada. Theresa’s expertise in environmental law comes from more than 35 years of experience as a lawyer working in the field of environmental health and environmental safety, both in private practice and for the Canadian Environmental Law Association, where she is currently the Executive Director. Theresa has been senior policy advisor to the Ontario Minister of the Environment where she oversaw the passage of the Clean Water Act, and was responsible for implementation of several Walkerton Inquiry recommendations. She has represented clients at the Supreme Court of Canada, at the Federal Court of Appeal and Trial Division, at provincial courts and at tribunals, as well as at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, on topics such as pesticide by-laws, the Oncomouse Patent, environmental assessments and constitutional matters. At the 2025 Spring Convocation, Theresa was awarded an Honourary Doctorate of Laws from the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University. We look forward to hearing Theresa’s insights on the important topic of the future of environmental laws in Canada.