Mississauga, Canada

Christmas is a joyous time of year and I am happy to extend best wishes to family, friends and colleagues everywhere during this special season.

This year Christmas comes as the global economy, much as our own, continues a slow recovery from the most severe economic downturn in recent memory. Still I continue to be inspired by the generosity of Canadians who notwithstanding continue to make Christmas a season marked by a spirit of generosity and of sharing.

This generosity of spirit has been most recently demonstrated by the awe-inspiring response to my call for increased donations towards the United Way of Peel Region. At the moment we are still short of our campaign goal of $13.93-million which is needed to ensure youth, older adults and new immigrants thrive in our city. It is not too late to donate online today.

In closing I leave with you a selection of Christmas gift suggestions complied by Oren Arnold:

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

My family joins me in wishing you a Merry Christmas, as

well as a peaceful and healthy New Year.

LOUROZ MERCADER

City-bulder Louroz Mercader will be speaking at the Emerging Leaders Network conference, “ELNstudio” on December 1, 2011.

Attendees of the ELNstudio will have the opportunity to:

• Hear leadership insights from passionate and talented city-builders, including a keynote address from Dave Meslin, a Toronto-based artist, consultant, trainer and organizer.
• Work together with a diverse group of leaders from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to address critical issues facing the Toronto region.
• Have an opportunity to pitch collaboratively generated ideas to a panel of experienced civic leaders, moderated by Royson James of The Toronto Star

Join Louroz on December 1 by registering online here.

On November 8, 2011 Louroz Mercader was a guest on CBC’s Radio One, speaking on the Diversity in Local Government segment about the importance of diversity in leadership in the GTA.

The GTA may be proud of its diversity, with 40-percent of Toronto residents not born in Canada, but the composition of local governments doesn’t mirror the population. CBC Radio spoke with Louroz Mercader, a former candidate in Mississauga’s civic election.

Listen to Audio (runs 5:41)

On behalf of the organizing committee, thank you to all our athletes, coaches, volunteers, parents and sponsors for another amazing year! See you in 2012!

As the energy and momentum build, I encourage you to play an active role in making the Games a success by volunteering. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities and celebrate the countdown on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. at Toronto City Hall.

To learn more about the Ontario Summer Games, please visit 2012ontariosummergames.com and remember, “Dreams Begin Here”.

CivicAction hosted the Greater Toronto Summit 2011 on February 10-11, 2011. Louroz Mercader is helping to build a stronger, prosperous and diverse Greater Toronto Region, and is seen in the summit recap video. He joined the CivicAction Steering Committee for 2011-2012.

Building on a year of consultations culminating in a series of excellent backgrounders, close to 1000 business, government, non-profit, labour and academic leaders created ground-breaking responses to critical challenges and opportunities facing the Toronto region.

Their recommendations, to be highlighted in our upcoming proceedings summary, point to the various roles that CivicAction and others can play in helping the region reach its full social, economic and environmental potential.

The video above is available on YouTube.

For more information on the Summit, please visit the CivicAction website.

A larger 12-member strong and diverse Board of Directors was elected to lead the planning for the 6^th annual MY Games to be held on the weekend of October 1 – 2, 2011.

“It’s a great honour to welcome a new MY Games Board of Directors,” said Louroz Mercader, President of MY Games. “I’m looking forward to working with the new Board members, and MY Games volunteers and staff, as we unite to deliver interactive, creative and accessible programs to young people across the City of Mississauga.  

The following individuals were elected to the Board for a two-year term until 2013:

Rita Iafrate, Cooper Industries                                                          

Franz Timothy Loterinia, Aritzia

Lynn Pipe, Rapport Youth and Family Services

Anastasia Tolias, Royal LePage

Individuals were elected to the Board for a one-year term until 2012:

Jackwayne Ramirez Balancio, Nutrilawn

Romesh Hettiarachchi, H.D. Law

Khurum Khawaja, Consultant

Linden King, Bell Canada                              

Andrew Kooren, Fallsview Niagara

Matthew Malaga, Ernst & Young

Gerald Douglas Russell, Compass

Christine Simundson, RZCD Law Firm LLP   

About MY Games

MY Games offers a variety of free, fit, and fun activities for youth, along with meaningful volunteer and leadership opportunities for young people. Now entering its 6^th year, MY Games seeks to create an inspirational and motivational setting through arts and sports.

For more information, Please contact Louroz Mercader, President of the MY Games at 647.230.9722 or louroz@mississaugayouthgames.com.

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MY Games Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Coach and Volunteer Reception

Wednesday, May 4^th, 2011

7:00pm – 9:00pm

West 50 located on 50 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Mississauga

The 2010 Official Annual Report outlining the achievements of the MY Games will be reviled to members and a new 2011 Board of Directors will be elected.  

MY Games will also be formally launching the new MY Games Council of Champions. For $20.11 the public can become a member of the Council and directly support the future operations of the MY Games.

About MY Games

MY Games offers a variety of free, fit, and fun activities for youth, along with exciting volunteer and leadership opportunities for teens and young adults. Now entering its 6^th year, MY Games seeks to create an inspirational and motivational setting. Learn how the MY Games Organizing Committee assures your community and kids enjoy fun, fit and free programming.

For more information, please contact Louroz Mercader, President of the MY Games at 647.230.9722 or louroz@mississaugayouthgames.com

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Monday, May 2, 2011 is ELECTION DAY.

I love Canada – it has got to be the greatest county in the world!

In order to maintain our shared values and to advance our great democracy forward, every single eligible Canadian needs to cast a vote today.

Voting is one of the most important rights and duty you have as a Canadian citizen.

To find where to vote visit by postal code visit Elections Canada: http://www.elections.ca/scripts/pss/FindED.aspx?L=e

Take Part. Take Power. VOTE.

LOUROZ MERCADER

Local Democracy Week 2010. Students seated in the Legislative Chamber.

Local Democracy Week (LDW) was launched in November 2009 as a project of DiverseCity Fellows.  Adapted from the UK model, Toronto’s LDW was designed to instill in youth a better understanding of the opportunities that exist for them to participate in local decision-making. Through interactive sessions with politicians, remarks from guest speakers, and building tours, students gain insights into the democratic institutions that shape their communities.

“I’m a firm believer that whether as leaders in politics, business or local causes it is our youth who will shape the future of our communities. We need to do everything that we can to encourage them to bring about change through positive means.” – Steve Peters, Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly

Featured program events have included remarks from former Toronto Mayor David Miller, Marc & Craig Kielburger from Free the Children, an interactive “Ask an MPP/Councillor” video booth with TV Ontario, Political Speed Dating with Toronto area MPPs and City of Toronto Councillors, a session on petition writing with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and a session with the Chief Electoral Officer on voter turn out.

Local Democracy Week 2010. Students meet with MPP Michael Prue for political speed dating.

LDW is made possible through the generous contributions and support of the Legislative Assembly, Free the Children, and the Institute for Youth Citizenship and Engagement.

“We heard inspiring stories that touched all of us and hit a soft spot. This was a great experience in order to learn a little more about democracy.”
– Channing Junor, LDW Youth Participant

Local Democracy Week 2010. Students and teachers with MPPs & Councillors following political speed dating

Originally posted on the DiverCity Toronto Blog at this link.