Skip to main content Skip to local navigation

Lecture explores Canadians’ response to refugee crisis

A Public Policy Lecture hosted by McLaughlin College will explore the refugee crisis and Canada’s role in it and response to it.

“Crossing the Ocean of Indifference: Canada’s Response to the Refugee Crisis” takes place on Nov. 18 at 5:30pm in the Junior Common Room, 014 McLaughlin College.

Mary Jo Leddy

Mary Jo Leddy

All are welcome to attend this event, which features Mary Jo Leddy as the guest speaker.

Leddy, director of the Romero House Community for Refugees in Toronto and adjust professor at Regis College (University of Toronto), will discuss the reactions of Canadians to the photograph of the dead child on the beach and the revelation that Canadians are not as indifferent to refugees as their government is.

The lecture will explore how the suffering of refugees has challenged Canadians to rethink who they are as a nation, and whether they believe they can make a difference.

Leddy was founding editor of Catholic New Times, an independent national Catholic newspaper, and is active in human rights and peace groups such as the Ontario Sanctuary Coalition and PEN Canada.

Recognition for her contributions includes the Order of Canada, the Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award, the Ida Nudel Human Rights Award, the Ontario Citizenship Award, the Canadian Council of Christians & Jews Humanitarian Relations Award, and six honorary doctorates, including one from York University.

The lecture is co-sponsored by the Office of the Master, McLaughlin College, the School of Public Policy & Administration (SPPA), and the Master of Public Policy & Law (MPPAL).

For more information, contact Vicky Carnevale at 416-736-2100 ext. 33824 or vcarneva@yorku.ca.