Community Currents: Summer 2026 Civic Action and Events you do not want to miss
- rburke023
- 19 hours ago
- 6 min read
Welcome to Community Development Halton's Summer 2026 edition of Community Currents, a newsletter sharing ideas, insights, and the waves of change that are shaping our community.
Civic Engagement in Action
As we move through the summer months, I continue to be encouraged by the many ways residents, volunteers, organizations, and community leaders are coming together to strengthen our communities.
Civic engagement is often thought of as voting or attending public meetings. These are very important but there are other ways for people to participate in community life. It is people choosing to share ideas, volunteering their time, advocating for solutions, checking in on neighbours, and building connections with one another.
Over the past several months, we have seen this spirit in action. Our local volunteer fairs continue to connect residents with meaningful opportunities to contribute their skills and talents. These events remind us that volunteering remains one of the most powerful ways people can make a difference while building a sense of belonging and purpose.
We have also been inspired by the ongoing work of the Halton Housing Action Network, which brings together community organizations, advocates, researchers, and residents to better understand and address housing challenges across the region. The willingness of people to collaborate, learn from one another, and seek solutions to complex issues demonstrates the strength of community-based action.
As we look ahead to municipal elections, nonprofit gatherings, housing discussions, and opportunities to connect with neighbours, I encourage everyone to find their own way to participate. Whether through volunteering, joining a community conversation, supporting a local organization, or casting a ballot, every contribution helps build a stronger and more resilient Halton.
Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, get involved, and invest in the future of our communities.
Rishia Burke Executive Director, Community Development Halton
CDH Annual Civic Action Forum:
An Evening with Steve Paikin
Join Us September 8
Featuring keynote speaker Steve Paikin
Steve Paikin is a longtime journalist, author, and host known for his insightful interviews and deep knowledge of Ontario and Canadian politics. His work has informed and engaged audiences across the country, making complex issues accessible and meaningful.
Politics for the People? A look at the last decade in Ontario politics
📅 Date: September 8 📍 Location: Port Nelson United Church 🕒 Time: Doors open at 6 pm till 8 pm
🎟️Cost: $20
Attendees will enjoy a look back at the past 10 years on Ontario politics, followed by a Q and A. The evening will also include information on how you can be civically involved in Halton and a chance to be part of the launch of the new Research to Action Fund.
At a time when communities are navigating rapid social and economic change, spaces for informed dialogue and shared understanding are more important than ever. You will not want to miss this year's Annual Civic Action Forum!
2026 Halton Non-Profit Congress
Connecting Technology and Humans
in the Non-Profit Space
📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026 📍 Milton Seniors Activity Centre (500 Childs Drive)
Join nonprofit leaders, staff, and volunteers from across Halton for a dynamic day of learning, connection, and inspiration at the annual Halton Non-Profit Congress.
This year’s theme explores how organizations can embrace emerging technologies while staying grounded in the human relationships that drive real impact.
Why Attend?
Gain practical insights on balancing innovation with community connection
Explore topics like:Governance & succession planningVolunteer engagementNon-profit financesIT & cybersecurity
Connect with local nonprofit leaders and decision-makers
Strengthen your organization’s capacity to thrive in a changing landscape
Special Highlight
Featuring keynote speaker Erin Spink, MA, an internationally recognized nonprofit professional known for groundbreaking research on volunteer engagement.
Who Should Attend?
Nonprofit leaders and staff
Volunteers and board members
Community organizations of all sizes
Especially those in sport, recreation, arts, culture, and environmental sectors
Only 1 in 4 to 3 in 10 eligible voters participated in the last municipal election across Halton. Burlington recorded a turnout of 27.6%, Oakville 28.3%, Halton Hills 28.1%, and Milton 29.0%.
As local communities face important decisions about housing, growth, transportation, the health of the nonprofit sector, community well-being, increasing civic participation remains one of the most important opportunities before us.
Community Development has created a on-stop Municipal Election page with formation on ridings, how to vote, who can vote, the differences between local municipal and regional responsibilities and candidates events as they become available.
We encourage you to share this resource widely.
Coming to Halton: ONN Regional Connects
November 4, 2026 | Halton Region
Connect with nonprofit and community peers to share space and ideas for our collective well-being and explore systemic solutions locally.
This event is co-hosted by Impact Halton Coalition and Ontario Nonprofit Network.
Join us for Nonprofit Driven Regional Connects: Halton Region! Nonprofit Driven Regional Connects are small gatherings with big impacts. This is an opportunity for nonprofits, charities, and community organizations across the region to share space and ideas for our collective well-being, explore systemic solutions locally, and break bread together.
Our sector continues to be intentionally under-resourced and privatized, is experiencing growing legal attacks from the community for doing its critical work, and grapples with increased scrutiny and eroding public trust. To combat the current climate of deep polarization, we must invest in building relationships to help our sector and communities thrive. Getting together in community is an ongoing exercise in movement-building, and actively shaping the future together.
What to expect:
Get practical data, information about policies and trends impacting nonprofits in Halton and across Ontario, and discuss how these are showing up in your work and communities.
Make connections over the issues that matter to you - engage in conversations, share resources, and learn from each other
Enjoy breakfast and lunch with nonprofit colleagues.
After the event, all registrants will receive slides, notes, and links to resources.
National Housing Day 2026
From Silos to Solutions
📅 November 20, 2026, 8:30 to 2 pm 📍 Film.ca Cinemas, 171 Speers Rd, Oakville
Join us for an engaging National Housing Day event exploring one of the most urgent issues facing our communities today, housing affordability and access. We will be focusing on working together in Halton across systems and sector and with community allies to find solutions for housing.
Key Note Speaker: Dr. Carolyn Whitzman
Dr. Carolyn Whitzman is a leading housing and social policy researcher and Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities. Her work focuses on rights-based housing policy and practical solutions to Canada’s housing crisis.
Dr. Whitzman has:
Advised governments and organizations at the local, provincial, national, and international levels
Contributed to innovative tools like UBC’s Housing Assessment Resource Tools (HART), shaping best practices in housing need analysis and non-market housing development
Worked with global organizations including UN Women and UN-Habitat
Authored five books, including Home Truths: Fixing Canada’s Housing Crisis (2024)
Why Attend?
Gain insight into evidence-based solutions to housing challenges
Explore how policy and community action intersect
Engage in meaningful conversation about housing as a human right
Connect with local leaders, advocates, and community members
Be Part of the Conversation
National Housing Day is an opportunity to reflect, learn, and take action together. As housing pressures continue to affect individuals and families across Halton, this conversation is more important than ever.
This event is offered at NO Cost.
Presented by
Supporting Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
There is no need to do this important work alone!
Join a Network
Are you a Halton Executive Director or Chief Executive Officer?
The work you do is critical for our communities, but we know its hard work and can feel isolating. There is a network for you, a safe space for sharing and learning from others. The group meets virtually the 4th Friday of the month from 9 am to 10am. Please reach out to Rishia Burke at rburke@cdhalton.ca if you would like to receive the invitation to join.
Calling all Volunteer Engagement Professionals and Volunteer Coordinators!
Did you know that Volunteer Halton gathers Volunteer Engagement Professionals on a regular basis to connect, share resources and provide mutual support? This is for those in paid and unpaid volunteer coordinator or management roles in Halton. Interested in connecting? You can learn more on our event page.
Events, Networks, and Gatherings
Above is just a taste of what the CDH Team is up to.
Click the button below to see all the CDH Educates Events,
Halton Housing Action Network gatherings, and skill building events that we have planned for the next several months.
Member Rate Consulting Services
Did you know that the CDH team offers a special nonprofit rate JUST for our member agencies ?
Some services that we have provided for others:
Customized board training
Strategic planning processes
Board and staff team facilitation
Customized research and needs assessments
Evaluation services for grant reporting and projects
Policy development and policy reviews
Workshops on how to ensure the voice of lived experience is included in your decision-making
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CDH members costs: $500/day - which includes a customized team of staff to meet the needs of your project.
All proceeds support our capacity building work for Halton nonprofits.
Hiring CDH is another way to invest in Halton's nonprofit sector.
We would be happy to talk with you about your specific project needs.
Contact Rishia at rburke@cdhalton.ca to set up a call.
Community Development Halton thanks our supporters:
Regional Municipality of Halton
and all those who have donated so generously.
Your donations help ensure Community Development Halton can continue to provide capacity building support for a strong nonprofit sector in Halton.
Community Development Halton is a member of both the Social Planning Network of Ontario and the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network
6 Mill Street East, Acton, ON L7J 1G8, Canada 905-632-1975
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