March 15, 2026: Waterloo Brunch with Guest Speakers
Unheard Voices: Making Canada’s Petition Process Accessible to All
Join us in the JAZZ ROOM of the historic Huether Hotel for a tasty brunch and a presentation by Mark Weiler, Sharon Ward-Zeller, and Abduke Melka of the inter-abled team from the Waterloo Regional Chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB), who will be sharing their concerns about accessibility disparities within Ontario’s petitioning process and their grassroots efforts in advocating for meaningful reform.
“Petitioning the government is a fundamental democratic right in Canada. It enables people to raise concerns and support grievances they want their governments to address. Yet for many people with disabilities, the current petitioning process remains difficult or impossible to access.”
The group’s efforts include organizing their own petition and bringing the issue directly to the Ontario Legislative Assembly. The petition is highlighted on MPP Catherine Fife’s website: https://www.catherinefife.com/make_petitions_accessible
Speaker Profiles
Mark Weiler is a web and user experience librarian at Wilfrid Laurier University. He holds certification in the JAWS screen reader and advocates for academic libraries to better engage with blind and visually impaired students, researchers, and faculty, while actively working to eliminate barriers.
Sharon Ward-Zeller is the Vice President of the Waterloo Chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) and past Community Representative with the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council. Founded in 1944, the CCB is a national, membership-based charity that represents and supports Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind, or living with vision loss. The organization works to improve quality of life by promoting accessibility, advocacy, public awareness, and health initiatives related to eye care. Its programs include peer mentoring, recreational and educational activities, and technology training such as the “Get Together with Technology” program, where participants learn to use accessible devices and tools from others with lived experience. Through partnerships, outreach, and member-led initiatives, the organization also raises awareness about vision health, encourages inclusion, and advocates for improved services and opportunities for Canadians with vision loss
Abduke Melka is a past Board Director with the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region, a not-for-profit organization comprised of dedicated community members—with and without disabilities—who support and champion independent living for persons with disabilities through self-directed services and programs. He is also a member of the CCB.
June 1, 2025: Presentation with Dr. Jackie Nemni
Invitation to a Compassionate Conversation: MAiD in Canada with Dr. Jackie Nemni
An informative and mindful talk with Dr. Jackie Nemni, a Guelph-based physician and Humanist Officiant, who guided us through the changing landscape of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada—a topic that resonates with many people on a personal level, yet remains misunderstood or shrouded in silence.
Presentation included: Brief history of MAiD legislation in Canada and how it came to be; overview of the assessment process regarding ethics, eligibility, and informed consent; realistic and compassionate look at what the provision of MAiD entails; expected upcoming changes to end-of-life laws and their potential impact on Canadians; safe and welcoming environment for open dialogue.
As a respiratory physician and advocate for human dignity, autonomy, and ethical care, Dr. Nemni brought clarity and compassion to one of the most significant and controversial issues in modern healthcare. Her dual roles as a medical specialist and a Humanist Officiant allow her to effectively address end-of-life medical realities and choices, and to speak to the emotional and moral dimensions.
May 4, 2025: Presentation and Book Launch with Dr. Christopher DiCarlo
Building a God: The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the Race to Control It.
Are we designing tools—or gods? And if we lose control, what becomes of our freedom, our values, and our very humanity?
Award-winning philosopher, educator, and best-selling author, Dr. Christopher DiCarlo, joined us at the Symposium Café in Guelph for brunch and an engaging presentation of his groundbreaking new book, Building a God: The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the Race to Control It.
In this bold and brilliant work, Dr. DiCarlo brings his signature blend of accessible philosophy, scientific insight, ethical urgency, and humour, to one of the most transformative developments of our time: the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI). As AI technologies become increasingly sophisticated, they are not only shaping how we live but redefining what it means to be human.
Whether you are fascinated by AI, or uneasy about its future implications on humanity, learn what is really at stake as we stand at the crossroads of progress and principle.
BONUS: Click on this link to watch the TVO chat between The Agenda’s Steve Paikin and Christopher DiCarlo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTIm2lo0_xU
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September 8 Guelph Brunch with Guest Speaker, LESLIE ROSENBLOOD
August 16 Hamilton Pub Night with Guest Speaker, LESLIE ROSENBLOOD
7:00 pm at Ye Olde Squire pub on Upper James Street in Hamilton.
Enjoy the warm ambiance, traditional British pub fare, refreshing drinks, and the opportunity to connect with fellow Humanists. Whether you are a long-time SOFREE member, or new to the Humanist community, we welcome you to share in our spirit of camaraderie.
Our guest speaker is Leslie Rosenblood, Secular Chair of the Centre for Inquiry Canada, and strong supporter of a single public education system in Ontario. Leslie will lead a thought-provoking discussion on the history of separate schools in Ontario, reveal several myths and common misunderstandings, identify current practices that are problematic and what we can do to address them.
Background to the talk:
In 1999, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) made a powerful statement, highlighting the discriminatory nature of Ontario’s public funding of Catholic schools—i.e., granting special privileges to one religious group, while denying funding to other faith-based schools. The UNHRC advised that Ontario either provide financial support for all religious schools in the province or cease funding to Catholic schools entirely. Ontario refused to comply. Today, every Ontario household falls within the boundaries of four different school boards, all fully funded by the provincial government – an English public school board, a French public school board, an English Catholic school board, and a French Catholic school board.
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