Elizabeth McIsaac

Mar 5, 2024 | spacing.ca | Alan Broadbent |Elizabeth McIsaac

When Toronto last searched for a new Chief Planner, in 2017, we encouraged the City to look at planning, and planners, through the lens of human rights. We argued that taking a human rights-based approach to planning could positively impact people’s daily lives, build a better city, and help Canada meet its international obligations. Gregg Lintern, who took on the position then and is now retiring, understood and embraced the importance of human rights, and leaves behind a platform to build on.

Jan 30, 2024 | spacing.ca | Alan Broadbent |Elizabeth McIsaac |Cheryl Thompson

With the Toronto budget about to be voted on shortly, we talk to crisis worker and homelessness advocate Diana Chan McNally about what the City needs to invest to help refugees and other unhoused people, whey the federal government needs to step up, and why the police don’t need another big budget increase.

Apr 26, 2023 | maytree.com | Alan Broadbent |Elizabeth McIsaac

No one wants encampments. Not the people who live in them, who would almost certainly rather live in a stable, adequate home. Not the neighbours, who want to use the parks for their intended purpose. Not any of us, who are distressed and ashamed that in our wealthy city we make and prop up systems that make people homeless. A lot of talk has been swirling around lately about how it is time to “clear” encampments.

Mar 7, 2023 | thephilanthropist.ca | Elizabeth McIsaac |Christina Palassio |Paulette Senior

The meaningful participation of people and communities with lived experience is key to a human-rights-based approach to poverty. Storytelling is a start, but it is only one side of the process, says Maytree’s Elizabeth McIsaac. We need to think deeply about how we receive those stories and incorporate people’s expertise into decision-making, she says, and we will improve our practice if we admit that we have lots to learn.