For adults
Join us for a viewing of the short documentary film A Human Picture, about Ontario’s short-lived, but transformational Basic Income Pilot. The session will also include informative presentations and discussions with local experts about this important topic.
The event is being offered in-person and online via Zoom. Please indicate whether your registration is for in-person or online. Those attending online will be sent a Zoom link the day before the event.
Presented in partnership with Basic Income Waterloo Region. Basic Income Waterloo Region is a group of community members dedicated to a Basic Income Guarantee as a critical solution to eliminating poverty, responding to the rise of automation in the workforce, and boosting or stimulating the local economy.
Neil Arya MD CCFP FCFP D Litt is a family physician, founder and Director of the Kitchener/Waterloo Refugee Health Clinic and a Fellow at the Balsillie School for International Affairs. He is Assistant Clinical Professor Family Medicine (part-time) McMaster University and Adjunct Professor School of Public Health Sciences University of Waterloo. Dr. Arya has taught, lectured, written and participated in research on refugee health issues, peace through health and global health around the world. He is President of PEGASUS Institute, and has edited four books. Dr. Arya was founding Director of the Global Health Office at Western University (2009-2013) and Scholar in Residence and Fellow at the International Migration Research Centre at Wilfrid Laurier University (2018-2020). He remains Assistant Clinical Professor in Family Medicine at McMaster University. Dr. Arya has been recognized by the community, colleagues and academics including with the College of Family Physicians of Canada Geeta Gupta Award for Equity and Diversity (2009) .DLitt. (Honorary) Wilfrid Laurier University and mid-Career Award in International Health from the American Public Health Association (2011) and the College of Family Physicians Canada (CFPC) Award of Excellence (2013).
A Waterloo native, Rob married his high-school sweetheart and they had 5 children. After graduation from Wilfrid Laurier University he co-started a business which ultimately worked throughout Ontario, Alberta and in the Middle East, successfully transplanting plants from East Africa to desert environments. Tiring of constant travel, after partnering for the development of a graphic arts business, Rob purchased a franchised automobile dealership and achieved numerous awards for Customer Satisfaction. Forced by health, Rob sold and built an asset management and consulting business, which continues today. Rob has always volunteered, including serving as United Way Campaign Chair, on a B.I.A. Board, as Attorney-General Appointee and Chair of Police Services Board, as founding Board Chair for an Affordable Housing Corporation, on numerous municipal planning and economic committees, as elected Municipal Councillor, managing major record church fund-raising, as sponsor for Refugees, and in other endeavours. More recently, Rob is most concerned about the growing wealth-poverty gap, and advocates for a Basic Income Guarantee for Canada.
Paige Monck-Whipp is a dedicated advocate for social equity in Waterloo Region, with over a decade of experience in public service and community development. A graduate of the Leadership Waterloo Region Core Program and holding a Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Management, Paige is a collaborative strategist who believes in the power of community to drive systemic change. Paige actively volunteers with the Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region and serves on the Board of Directors for the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre. In their spare time, Paige enjoys crafting, searching for the best decaf coffee in the region, and exploring local trails with their dog, Kermit. Their passion for basic income is deeply rooted in the belief that economic equity is essential for achieving social justice.
Programmer: Cathleen
Located on the west side of Waterloo, the John M. Harper Branch shares a building with the Stork Family YMCA. It features soaring ceilings, dedicated study space (including 3 bookable study rooms), a large Community Room and an outdoor courtyard.
