Graham White is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Toronto. He has been writing about
the politics and culture of Northern Canada since the late 1980’s, based on dozens of trips to the three territories
during his career. He has written a number of books about the north, including Made in Nunavit: An Experiment in
Decentralized Government (2015) and ‘We Are In Charge Here’: Inuit Self-Government and the Nunatsiavut
Assembly (2023). With the current threat to northern Canada’s freedom by foreign leaders, Graham’s White
knowledge of the north will help us think about the future of this part of Canada.
PS Please note that this is a change in speakers, due to a conflict in the schedule of the previously planned speaker
for February.
Category Archives: Meetings
November meeting: Kari Astles
Our members enjoyed a wonderful presentation by Kari Astles: Volunteer co-ordinator for the Brant Community Health Services, who spoke about volunteerism in our community.
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.
October speaker: Paulette Breau
Paulette Breau is a retired officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) whose thirty-year law enforcement career (1987-2017) culminated in the rank of sergeant. Her service was marked not only by her commitment to public safety, but by her determination to succeed in a profession historically dominated by men.
After her retirement, Breau turned to writing. Her memoir Never at Ease: Memoir of a Mountie (published in December 2019) recounts her experiences as the only woman in a 40-man RCMP detachment, the challenges she faced-including harassment, sexism, and the difficulties of undercover work-and her perseverance.
Paulette will join us on Oct 22, 2025 and talk about the history of women in the RCMP as well as sharing a few stories so her own career.
Women in Canada’s National Police Force
This presentation explores the history and impact of women in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police from its early days to the present. It begins with matrons and jailers in the Klondike era, moves through pioneers like forensic pathologist Dr. Frances McGill and the groundbreaking female troop of 1974. Milestones include the appointment of women commissioners, service with the United Nations and the changes brought about by the Merlo-Davidson lawsuit.
September 24th speaker
Some members of CFUW Brantford may know Erin Byron from her years of operating Welkin Wellness Yoga Studio in Brantford,
or from her books related to yoga therapy. Erin is a registered psychotherapist who, over twenty years, has helped many
clinicians, business professionals and others enhance their personal health and wellness, and improve their corporate cultures.
Erin will explore the building blocks of wellness and, through a variety of activities and science-backed data, will give us some
tools to feel less stressed, be more present in our lives, and enjoy a greater sense of well-being. Erin’s three books: Yoga for the
Creative Soul ($20), Safety in the Body ($20), and Yoga Therapy for Arthritis ($30), will be available for purchase at our general
meeting on September 24. (Please arrive early if you are planning to purchase a book as books will be available during the
social period from 6:30 to 7:00.)
Colette W for the CFUW Brantford Program Committee
May Banquet
On May 28, CFUW Brantford celebrated its 80th anniversary with a bang. Our speaker for the evening, journalist Liz Renzetti, stirred the feminist roots of the organization with her talk about the current situation of women in society, reminding us that the fight for women’s equality must be ongoing. Liz talked about the backlash that women’s success in the workplace, in leadership roles and in other male-dominated fields has brought about. Led by authoritarian governments, including the Trump administration, women’s rights are being reversed and misogyny has increased especially in younger men. Violence against women and girls continues to increase. Women in the audience asked many thoughtful questions which Liz answered skillfully. Thanks go to Liz Renzetti for a thoughtful and rousing talk which we will long remember.
Colette W, for the Program Committee
Many Thanks to Bruno Bove!
When illness forced Brian Wood to cancel his talk the day before the April General Meeting, Bruno Bove came to our rescue, and did a fantastic presentation on the current range of services which pharmacists can provide. Bruno is the owner of, and chief pharmacist at, the Shoppers Drug Mart in the Sobey’s plaza in West Brant. Our gratitude goes to Bruno for saving the day with grace and humour!
Colette W for the Program Committee
Banquet 2025 Keynote Speaker: Liz Renzetti
As a journalist, columnist and author, Liz Renzetti has been a voice for women for 25 years. In her work at the Globe and Mail she presented a feminist approach to issues. Her book: Shrewd: A Wry and Closely Observed Look at the Lives of Women and Girls was a national bestseller. Her most recent work of non-fiction: What She Said deals with gender inequality and backlash against women. More recently she has collaborated on fiction with Kate Hillman, with their mystery novel Women and Orphans having been just published. Liz is a wife and mother of two teenagers. As CFUW has made support for women its main mission, Liz Renzetti is the ideal person to speak to us on the occasion of our 80th anniversary.
Please note: books will be available for purchase from 5:00 to 5:30 and again after Renzetti’s talk. Thanks to RiversideBookshelf for their assistance in providing books for sale.
Colette W for the Program Committee
May Banquet
Social committee members: Marla M, Jeanne C, Lynne D.
Questions? Contact us:
Brian Wood knows telephones! Our Speaker at the April 23 General Meeting
Brian Wood knows telephones! After more than 36 years as curator of the Bell Homestead Historic Site, there is not much that
he doesn’t know about the Alexander Graham Bell invention and its importance to the world. He has shepherded restoration of
the Bell Homestead to its original 1981 state, and has raised the profile of the site so that it is one of Canada’s important
museums, and a source of pride for residents of Brantford and Brant County. Brian will show and tell all about the
development of telephones from the very early versions to today’s advanced cell phones. Please join us for this fascinating
presentation.