Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee Presents “Know Your Rights Week”

Know your rights, empower friends and families facing redevelopment 

Montreal, QC – May 15, 1968 – Following the plan for continued urban redevelopment in Little Burgundy, the Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee is pleased to announce their upcoming event, “Know Your Rights Week.” This event is a community-led literacy program aimed to support residents navigating the challenges that come with expropriation and relocation and to gain a better understanding of tenant rights. This initiative will take place from May 23 to May 28, 1968, and will feature pop-up locations across the Little Burgundy area. 

The city of Montreal’s redevelopment plans have resulted in the ongoing displacement of hundreds of families throughout our neighbourhood. This is called widespread confusion and concern regarding the city’s lack of transparency about compensation and rent scales surrounding the expropriation efforts. Although the city has promised low-rental housing developments, it is essential to stay informed about your role in advocating for the Little Burgundy Neighborhood. 

“After fighting to be heard,” said Maire-Jean LaFlame, treasury secretary for the Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee, “we want to make certain that we are all informed.” The Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee has worked over the past two years to protect the interests of our community. This has been through efforts such as public meetings and surveys, and through these actions, the Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee has determined the necessity of Know Your Rights Week. Through testimonials given during the November 1967 survey, the Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee determined that clarity was necessary on rights and future housing options. 

Know Your Rights Week will feature pop-up legal aid clinics, public workshops, a film screening and community meetings throughout the neighbourhood. The Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee has ensured that materials are available in French and English. These events will help you to understand rent scales and eligibility, as well as tenant protections under both city and provincial law. We will talk about what to do when approached by city officials and how to organize a tenant collective. During the film screening, which will take place on Thursday, May 26, we will be screening the National Film Board documentary, Little Burgundy, which will take place at the United Church. 

“C’est tellement important,” said local pastor and civil rights activist Carl Adonate, “Ils pensent qu’ils peuvent nous déplacer sans se battre ? Non.” His words ring true – this is an important fight, and we will be heard. To do so, we encourage you to educate yourself, get involved, and help your friends and family during this time.

The Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee invites all of you to come down to the community centres, your church, and to any and all of the block parties that will be hosted through the week of May 23 to 28. 

Maire-Jean LaFlame stated, “This week is about uplifting each other. Arm yourself with knowledge, and we will not be left behind.”

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About the Little Burgundy Citizens Committee

The Little Burgundy Citizens Committee was founded in 1966 to protect residents’ rights in the Little Burgundy neighbourhood of Montreal. This organization seeks to advocate for transparency, equity, and justice in urban redevelopment projects led by the municipal and provincial governments.

Millie del Villano

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Fact Sheet

Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee “Know Your Rights Week”

• “Know Your Rights Week” is a 6-day campaign organized by the Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee intended to empower residents with knowledge. 
• It will run from May 13 to May 18, 1968, across various community spaces in Little Burgundy, such as the local community centres, churches, and neighbour blocks.
• All events are free and open to the public, with no registration required. All are welcome, and information will be provided in French and English
• Workshops will be run throughout the week, one daily, in the United Church and will explain tenants’ rights, rent scales, and expropriation procedures in digestible format.
• The Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee acknowledges that this urban redevelopment disproportionately impacts the black community and will therefore be donating any of the funds raised towards helping that community. 
• The film screening of the National Film Board feature Little Burgundy will be played on May 26, 1968, beginning at 4 PM. Following this, there will be a Q&A discussion with members of the Little Burgundy Citizens Committee.
• This committee has been entirely community-led and has been active since 1966. It was formed to represent marginalized and displaced families. 
• Over 1500 flyers have been distributed throughout the Little Burgundy area, in churches, local grocery stores and schools.
• The Little Burgundy Citizens Committee will be collecting feedback through a written survey questionnaire following the event to help improve delivery methods and quality of content.
• The campaign is intended to be used to not only support the Little Burgundy area but also to expand throughout Montreal to aid those experiencing similar redevelopment.

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Media Assets

Reverend Charles Este (centre), minister of the Union United Church and civil rights activist, pictured cerimoniously burning the churches mortgage. (Right.) Pictured in black and white | Image courtesy of Nancy Oliver MacKenzie. Usage rights belong to Concordia University, https://www.concordia.ca

The Congregation of Union United Church. (Left.) Pictured in black and white | Image courtesy of Nancy Oliver MacKenzie. Usage rights belong to Concordia University, https://www.concordia.ca

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Communications Plan

The Little Burgundy Citizens Committee intends to use a block centre strategy to draw attention to their Know Your Rights Week initiative, which is a six-day campaign designed to educate, empower, and build trust with the Little Burgundy Citizens Committee. By using storytelling, transparency, community, focused content, and ideas, this blog will serve as an informative platform as well as a community engagement tool.

The primary goal of this campaign is to amplify the Know Your Rights Week events as well as highlight the Little Burgundy Citizens Committee’s mission to represent marginalized and display families and Little Burgundy and advocate for their rights. 

Key Spokespeople 

• Reverend Charles Este, a minister at the United Church. He is now retired but has agreed to help the Little Burgundy Citizens Committee engage with the community.
• Marie-Jean LaFlame, the treasury secretary for the Little Burgundy Citizens Committee. She is a recognized community leader known for her involvement in local schools.
• Carl Adonate, a local pastor and civil rights activist will be speaking at a couple of workshops and events, sharing personal testimonies and providing leadership and guidance.
• Dr. Andrea LeBlanc, a university scholar from Concordia will speak to the greater community about gentrification and displacement.

Blog Content Ideas

1. The Development of the Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee – Thursday, May 16, 1968
2. Tenant Rights: What You Should Know Following Displacement – Sunday, May 19, 1968
3. Behind the Scenes of Little Burgundy: The Film – Tuesday, May 21, 1968
4. Faith and Little Burgundy; How are Churches Advocating Alongside Us – Thursday, May 23, 1968
5. Meet your community: Stories from Little Burgundy – Sunday, May 26, 1968

Content will be rolled out on a weekly publishing schedule, beginning a week before Know Your Rights Week and continuing through the campaign. This will build excitement and help catch up with those who missed earlier events. Blog posts will be posted around 12:00 PM so that they are seen during peak traffic hours, and will be posted on Tuesdays, Sundays, and Thursdays. 

Audience Feedback 

Feedback will be collected through a written survey and online tools to ensure dialogue with the community.

Likes, comments, and shares will be reviewed following every blog post. The comment section will be moderated to ensure that questions or answered. And people can share their own experiences and interact with the Little Burgundy Citizens Committee. There will also be a questionnaire survey, allowing people to provide feedback they may not feel comfortable posting on public sites. 

Web analytics will also be tracked using tools such as page views, time spent on the page, click your rates and survey responses. Additional posts will be made on social media to refer to the blog posts. This will provide real-time reports on engagement and will point to areas needing improvement. The feedback will also provide insights on what topics to prioritize in future content whether it needs to be adjusted and to determine the best time for engagement. 

Justification 

The Little Burgundy Citizens Committee’s blog is grounded in transparency, trust, and accurate representation. Authentic storytelling is vital to achieving the goals and objectives laid out by the Little Burgundy Citizens Committee. The Committee aims to uplift marginalized voices and empower community action. 

The campaign will use strategies such as storytelling and testimonials, as well as behind-the-scenes content to humanize the people who are advocating. This aims to reaffirm that the movement is community-based and led by those in the community, removing any concern about anonymity or lack of transparency.

Demonstrating impact will also be essential to gaining trust. It is the Little Burgundy Citizens Committee‘s intention to be visible and make people feel welcome throughout the community regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. By showcasing impact, residents of Little Burgundy are able to see the effects of the campaign and how this movement positively influences the community.

The Little Burgundy Citizens’ Committee demonstrates accountability in their willingness to collect feedback and adapt based on it. Commitment to providing all information that has been shared will help demonstrate that the committee is listening. Content will also be stored in digital archives to make sure that people have access long after the campaign is over.

Overall, the Know Your Rights Week unblock campaign will serve as a hub for information, storytelling, and engagement to complement the physical workshops and outreach to the community. By uplifting and preserving the community’s voices, the Little Burgundy Citizens Committee will empower residents in the Little Burgundy area for years to come. 

Communications Plan

Power To Be is a not-for-profit organization based in Vancouver and Victoria to make nature accessible for people with disabilities and other barriers. Its corporate social responsibility initiative creates adaptive outdoor experiences, which foster community, imagination, gratitude, diversity, environmentalism, and inclusivity for affected individuals. Power To Be’s mission focuses on building community by removing barriers, which is highlighted by the vision that everybody belongs in nature and nature belongs in everyone (Power To Be). The organization was established in 1998 and after 25 years, Power To Be created a strategic plan for 2023 to 2025 focussing on three delivery streams: Inclusive adventures, wilderness, wellness, and catalyst for good with all three involving taking action for social and environmental change with a focus on personal growth and positive outdoor experiences. 

To spread the word about their amazing CSR programs, it is important for Power To Be to engage with stakeholders, such as government agencies, the media, corporate partnerships, and other philanthropic organizations. Making connections with municipal and provincial governments would help with funding and advertising. Reach out to journalists, bloggers or social media. Influencers would also spread awareness about Power To Be’s mission. Similar to government agencies, partnerships with local businesses, and other foundations would enhance their outreach and their engagement. Community advocates and recreational groups would create a bridge between individuals who are passionate about the environment and accessibility and organizations that already spend time in the outdoors. Arguably the most important target audiences include hospitals and healthcare providers, schools, and families. Medical professionals who have access to and knowledge of Power To Be would make sure that the programs reach the people who need them the most, and the same goes for schools. Families, parents or caregivers of individuals with disabilities or going through financial hardship would benefit from the program provided by Power To Be. 

To promote the initiative further, social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok could be used to share content such as success stories, day in the life program, Vlogs, and testimonials of alumni to the programs. Utilizing hashtags and running targeted social media ads would increase visibility as well. Creating a position or hiring a communications liaison to develop partnerships with schools and hospitals and engage with different target audiences would help maintain strong relationships. Power To Be also organizes conferences and summits, which contain accessibility information to bring together stakeholders and affected individuals to discuss these programs. Additional outreach tactics could include websites, email newsletters, and community and fundraising events, all of which promote visibility and outreach to those who need it these methods could be evaluated by monitoring likes comments shares, and hashtag usage. It would also be valuable to track registration and program engagement from participants, including collecting feedback about what works and what doesn’t to better the programs. Using these tactics, Power To Be can expand its reach, enhance community engagement and continue to do good work to break barriers and improve natural accessibility.

Press Release

Have a Go Day; Join Us at Power To Be

Get out into nature in a fun, safe, and inclusive way

Power To Be, a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to creating accessible experiences for individuals with disabilities or financial difficulties, is thrilled to announce its upcoming Have a Go Day in Victoria on April 5, 2025. This experience offers a variety of activities such as hiking for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in nature in a fun and inclusive way. This event will take place at Prospect Lake and is free for Power To Be participants and the greater community.

Power To Be was established in 1998, with a dream to create accessible, safe, and fun experiences for users, and their families who struggle with cognitive, physical, mental or financial barriers. Over the past 27 years, Power To Be has touched the lives of many wonderful individuals and given thousands of people an opportunity to experience nature in a way they otherwise would not have been able to do.  Power To Be’s dedication to empowering individuals with disabilities is showcased in its many initiatives over the years, having facilitated 428 programs with 2494 participants. These programs include all activities like kayaking, yoga, rock, climbing, and camping and have been supported by iconic Canadian personalities like Sarah McLachlan. Power To Be impact is felt throughout British Columbia and creates inclusive adventures for all. 

Co-CEO Dana Hutchings, who has been working with Power To Be since 2016, spoke recently about how important these have-a-go days are to move towards creating inclusive outdoor spaces and make nature a safe and fun place for everyone, regardless of their situation. “Nature belongs to everybody, and should be a place of connection and healing,” she says, “ regardless of ability or spending.” have go days are a great way to get comfortable with our team, and learn about the other programs they offer in the organization. One of Power To Be’s program leads, Em McFarland Oliemans, spoke about their experience, connecting people to nature. Em‘s background in psychology and sociology, as well as therapeutic recreation, makes them an incredible example of the kinds of wonderful people involved with Power To Be. Em states that they’ve always admired Power To Be and how they’ve championed accessibility in outdoor recreation in a way unlike any other organization in BC. 

Power To Be would like to invite you, your friends, your family, and anyone you can think of who would like to spend some time in nature to this wonderful event. Come on down to Prospect Lake, we can’t wait to see you. 

Millie del Villano

T00712955@mytru.ca

Blog Post

I first learned about power when I was 15. I had just started dating my partner, and he had lost his leg to a very rare genetic condition which involved the bone and muscle tissue in his leg eating itself. This had occurred when he was only three months old, and he was very lucky to have survived. When he first told me about power to be, I was surprised, as I had no idea that that was something that needed to be offered. It had never occurred to me that nature could be something challenging to access. So, one day, my partner, his mom brother, and I headed out to a Power To Be event. I was apprehensive and nervous and had no idea what to expect. I was 15, still trying to find my place, also struggling with health issues and didn’t really know how to talk to people yet. When I arrived, I was greeted with immense warmth. 

My partner had been involved with Power to Be for almost a decade, so he felt comfortable, had friends there, and introduced me to his program lead. Through my time at the event, I opened up about what I was struggling with to this program lead, and he listened and offered advice and resources, and quickly became somebody that I knew I could depend on. After I received my diagnosis for my health issues, my partner, and I decided to end our relationship, but remain friends, and I still accompany him to power to be events to this day and I’m still connected to that program lead five years later. This is a testament to how important power to be’s programs are. They are amazing for mental health and create diverse experiences that you would never otherwise have. I’ve talked to so many different people from so many different backgrounds and learned so much through them. I’ve been to concerts, summits, and conferences and met some of my closest friends. 

One of the ways I realized the community impact Power To Be had was when I had a friend who was struggling with mental health, and I sat her down one day and told her that I was worried about her. I told her she was a very important person in my life and I didn’t want to lose her to a mental illness. She told me she had no idea how she was gonna get through this or what to do. I asked her to come to one of these events with me and she was hesitant but decided she didn’t have much to lose. I’m very grateful to say that my friend is still with me and thrived through programs with the power to be she now volunteers and works in outreach for this organization. For anybody curious or thinking about getting involved with Power To Be, I say do it. Take the step and see what is out there for you. Power To be such a lovely organization that has impacted my life so positively, and impacted the lives of so many of my loved ones. I would recommend to everybody to get out into nature and to unplug, and if that may be a struggle for you perhaps power to be as the way to go. I cannot wait to get home this summer and join my friends in these wonderful programs. I hope to see you there.

Home

The Omega Returns: Turning the Page to a New Era of Student Journalism
Join us on April 10th to celebrate a new chapter of TRU’s official student newspaper.

Thompson Rivers University is thrilled to announce the relaunch of The Omega, its official independent student newspaper. TRU will be hosting a special launch event on April 10th. From 7:00 to 10:00 PM in the TRUSU Mountain Room, join students, staff, faculty and the Kamloops community for a privileged first look at the future of The Omega and to commemorate this exciting moment in TRU’s history.

The Omega offers free content created independently by TRU students for the entire TRU community. This includes students, staff, and faculty, in addition to engaging with the broader Kamloops community. Available in print and digital format, The Omega provides a platform for diverse forces and fosters conversation within the TRU community. The Omega covers relevant and worthwhile topics such as local politics, the TRU Student Union, the TRU Senate, and updates on TRU’s Wolfpack sports teams.

This celebration is open to all students, staff, faculty, and members of the Kamloops community. Attendees will enjoy light refreshments while connecting with the students responsible for The Omega. This event will feature organized Q&A sessions with editors and writers, networking opportunities, and an exclusive first look at The Omega’s new issue. Attendees will have the chance to share feedback and students will be able to gain insight on how they can contribute to this incredible publication.

The Omega Editor-in-Chief, Robert McAlaster, stated in a recent press conference, how excited he and The Omega Manager, Sean Brady, are to continue to shape campus culture and give students a voice. Both Robert McAllister and Sean Brady will be giving speeches at this event to provide an exclusive preview into the future of The Omega, and why the student newspaper is so instrumental and impactful to both the TRU community and the broader community. Robert McAlaster expressed that The Omega is looking to get more student engagement following this relaunch, saying “We want more students to get involved as writers and contributors.” The Omega’s relaunch, on top of representing a new chapter for The Omega, is an opportunity for students to get involved, tell their stories, and shape the conversation and direction of The Omega.

Join us on April 10th from 7 to 10 PM in the TRUSU Mountain Room for an exciting evening of connection, discussion, and insight into the profound impact The Omega has had, and will continue to have, on our community.

Please visit theomega.news. for more information.

Millie del Villano
T00712955@mytru.ca

Distribution Plan:

To be effective, this press release would be distributed through multiple communication channels, including social media, local media, university platforms, and outreach to students directly through their student email. Social media provides an outlet to connect with students quickly and conveniently. Radio stations and newspapers provide increased awareness and engagement within the general public. The official TRU platforms encourage additional awareness and the repetition can help people come out and get involved. On-campus student engagement with flyers thrown around tables in places like Student Street, near Tim Hortons, and the Den. Posters on bulletin boards located in high-traffic areas such as Old Main, CAC, residence buildings, etc., for visibility. The information would also be posted on the screens in Old Main, CAC, North Tower, and other on-campus buildings.

Personal invitations would be sent out to important city officials such as the Mayor’s Office, those on the City Council, and the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Chief and Council. The President, Vice Presidents, and Faculty Deans of TRU will also receive personal invitations to this event. This ensures a wide audience and engagement with staff, students, faculty, and the broader Kamloops community.

Social media includes:

• The Omega Instagram
• TRU World Instagram
• TRU Student Life Instagram
• TRUSU Instagram
• TRU Community Stories on Snapchat
  • A representative of The Omega would post this

Local community outlets include:

• CFJC Today
• Castanet Kamloops
• Kamloops Chronicle

University platforms include:

• TRU’s official
  Student Emails
  TRU CFBX

Additional advertisements include:

• Bulletin board posters
• Flyers
• Digital screens

Personal Invitations include:

• Mayor’s Office
• Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Chief and Council
• City Council
• TRUSU Board of Governors
• President, Vice Presidents, and Faculty Deans

I will post all my major assignments here throughout the course. These assignments will include the Press Release Writing, Communications Plan, and Media Kit, and will showcase my learning, knowledge, and growth.