Nov 19, 2022 | Books, Business
Novartis Federal Credit Union officially changed its name to Ridgedale Federal Credit Union in an effort to expand its services and offer a renewed commitment to its members.
Ridgedale FCU hosts ribbon cutting ceremony.
EAST HANOVER, N.J. – Nov. 17, 2022 – PRLog — Novartis Federal Credit Union (FCU) officially changed its name to Ridgedale Federal Credit Union (FCU) following a ribbon cutting ceremony held on November 8th at its East Hanover headquarters. This strategic change will allow Ridgedale FCU to expand its services and offer a renewed commitment to its loyal members.
“This is a very emotional time for all of us because Novartis has been the name for quite a few years,” said Linda L. Rheiner, President/CEO of Ridgedale FCU.
Rheiner joined Novartis FCU in 2008 as the Vice President of Operations and Lending. “I watched us grow and add more products and services,” she said. “It was with great honor that I was named President/CEO in 2018.”
In retrospect, Rheiner is grateful for the board’s support throughout all of its initiatives and for having the vision to move us forward and change our name.
“We are embarking on such an exciting time,” she said. “It is a challenging time in the world today, but I have a wonderful team between our staff and our board that this is going to be a great success and we are going to grow and become a household name.”
The ribbon cutting ceremony took place the same morning that Ridgedale FCU launched its Zelle platform and remote deposit capture. “It’s a big day all around,” said Rheiner. “Thank you for taking this journey with us. This expansion is our way of helping even more people create balance and achieve financial freedom.”
Michael Hatolski, Chairman of the Ridgedale FCU Board of Directors, said the goal is to increase Ridgedale’s membership and its products. “Our main thrust now is to not only serve Novartis employees globally, but other entities which are to be determined,” he said. “The vision has always been to expand.”
Hatolski has been with the credit union since 1969 and transitioned to chairman in 2000. “We stand here today to celebrate this new journey and look forward to servicing more individuals and families in the future,” he said.
Looking to the future, Rheiner says, “We promise to utilize our many years of industry experience to provide a wide variety of convenient, money-saving banking products and services that improve lives – one person, one family at a time.”
Since 1947, Ridgedale FCU has been a financially stable, not-for-profit full service financial organization that is owned and operated by its members. “Ridgedale FCU will continue that great legacy by providing the tools, knowledge and personal caring necessary to empower people to achieve their financial goals,” Rheiner added.
Ridgedale FCU is located at 124 South Ridgedale Avenue in East Hanover, NJ 07936. To learn more, visit https://ridgedalefcu.org/.
About Ridgedale FCU
Since 1947, Ridgedale Federal Credit Union (FCU) has been a financially stable, not-for-profit full service financial organization that is owned and operated by its members. Ridgedale strives to provide the tools and expertise necessary to empower its members and help them achieve their financial goals. To learn more, visit RidgedaleFCU.org.
May 1, 2022 | International
Indigenous Services Canada is supporting IPAC in their advocacy against racism with more than $150K to help ensure Indigenous people in Canada have access to health services without fear of discrimination or racism.
April 29, 2022 — Vancouver, Traditional Territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, British Columbia — Indigenous Services Canada
In addressing anti-Indigenous racism in Canada’s health systems, we must ensure we support organizations in their capacity building. The Government of Canada applauds the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada’s (IPAC) efforts to work toward safer health systems.
To that end, Indigenous Services Canada is supporting IPAC in their advocacy against racism with more than $150K to help ensure Indigenous people in Canada have access to health services without fear of discrimination or racism.
The association helped plan the National Dialogues on Anti-Indigenous Racism in Canada’s Health Systems and continues to participate in federal discussions aimed at advancing this important work.
This funding will ensure that IPAC can continue its role as a national leader in this work, with on-going engagement on national-level events and activities in collaboration with Indigenous Services Canada and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous health partners.
“As Indigenous physicians, working for safer health systems for Indigenous people is deeply personal work. Our own families and communities are directly impacted by the racism that continues to infect our healthcare systems. While the stories of Joyce Echaquan, Brian Sinclair – and many others – fill us with anger and grief, we also feel empowered by the groundswell of allies and partners that have rallied around the call to anti-racism.”
Dr. Michael Dumont
Physician Director, Indigenous Physician’s Association of Canada
Alison Murphy
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services
Alison.Murphy@sac-isc.gc.ca
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Apr 8, 2022 | International
Everyone has a role to play in ending violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada.
April 6, 2022 — Ottawa, Ontario, Traditional Unceded Algonquin Territory — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Everyone has a role to play in ending violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada. The Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People (Federal Pathway), outlines the Government of Canada’s work with partners to advance solutions that will support families and survivors, and address the root-causes of violence, which is part of the broader 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan.
The Calls for Justice 3.7, 5.6 and 17.20 in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls called upon all governments to provide ongoing, accessible and culturally relevant healing programs and support for children, survivors and family members of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people amongst other things.
The Support for the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Contribution Program is one such initiative to respond to these Calls. Budget 2021 allocated $12.5 million over 5 years, beginning in 2021-22, and $2.5 million ongoing, to support Indigenous-led projects that assist with the healing of Indigenous family members and survivors.
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, announced that the first year of program funding, over $2.5 million, has now been invested in 20 Indigenous organizations for healing projects to help families and survivors of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
Examples of projects include:
The Liard Aboriginal Women’s Society project, called Remembering and Celebrating the Lives of MMIWG2S+ Peoples, that will rematriate traditional practices by commemorating and celebrating the lives of lost loved ones through potlatches and memorial feasts.
The All Nations Hope project, the Healing and Strengthening Indigenous Sisters and 2 Spirits Program, that will provide one-on-one counselling by professionals and group healing circles led by counselors, Indigenous Elders and knowledge weavers.
Tungasuvvingat Inuit’s Najakulugiit (Beautiful Sisters) Project, which will provide programming and services for families affected by the tragedy of MMIWG2S, including providing social supports, engaging in cultural activities, sharing knowledge and skills, speaking Inuktitut, meeting with Elders, receiving teachings, and organizing community gatherings.
Métis Nation Ontario’s Healing Journey Program, which will ensure that Métis women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, families and Métis communities receive specialised support and access to appropriate cultural and community resources, including trauma-informed mental health professionals who specialize in working with Métis families and victims of violence targeting MMIWG2S.
The program was launched as part of the ongoing commitments under the Federal Pathway–an evergreen document that will continue to be adapted to address this ongoing violence.
“These 20 Indigenous organizations are positioned to make a real difference to the wellbeing of families and survivors, who are at the centre of our efforts to address this national tragedy. Supporting Indigenous-led programs is vital to help restore the cultures and traditions that are so essential to individual healing.”
The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations
“The National Family and Survivors Circle is encouraged by these investments towards healing and wellness supports for MMIWG families, survivors of gender-based violence, and Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. MMIWG families, survivors of gender-based violence, and Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people must be central in the development and evaluation of these tools and supports. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of these critical resources.”
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz
Chair, National Family and Survivors Circle
Mar 30, 2022 | International
Hate crimes have devastating consequences on victims, their families, and our communities. It’s time for Canada’s first National Action Plan on Combatting Hate, and people across Canada are invited to share their views
OTTAWA, March 29, 2022
In Canada, diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice. Far too many lives are devastated by hate and discrimination because of their racial identity, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, perceived disability, and more. We have also witnessed a disturbing increase in hate groups and hate crimes across the country, being supported by people beyond Canadian borders, and threatening our national security. Everyone has the right to live their life free from the fear of attack or abuse because of who they are. That is why the Government of Canada is taking action to address the troubling rise in hate incidents.
Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, is launching consultations to build Canada’s first ever National Action Plan on Combatting Hate. These consultations build on the extensive work of the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat appointed by the Government of Canada, which engaged thousands of Indigenous people, as well as members of racialized and religious minority communities. Through such activities as town halls and summits, including the national summits on antisemitism and Islamophobia, over 400 recommendations were collected to inform the National Action Plan and a renewed anti-racism strategy.
The Action Plan will give a voice to those with lived experience of hate and will integrate the unique reality of communities from coast to coast to coast. The consultations will involve First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leaders, as well as leaders of Black, Asian, Latinx, Arab, Muslim, and Jewish communities, alongside several other equity-deserving groups, including newcomers, women, faith-based communities, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons.
Those interested in participating in the consultations are invited to fill out an online questionnaire by April 30, 2022. In the weeks ahead, the Government of Canada will also hold a series of roundtables, which will bring together members of various communities with lived experiences, academics, and activists.
People across Canada deserve to feel safe in their communities, and feedback received through these consultations will inform the development of the National Action Plan on Combatting Hate.
“For far too long, people in Canada and around the world have experienced unimaginable acts of hatred just for being themselves, and recent figures have shown a rise in reported hate crimes during the first year of the pandemic. It’s time for change. That’s why I want to hear directly from people across Canada as we work on the development of the first ever National Action Plan on Combatting Hate. Our government is taking steps to combat hate in all its forms across the country to build a safer, stronger, and more inclusive and equitable future for all.”
—The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
According to Statistics Canada, in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, police reported 2,669 hate crimes in Canada, up 37 percent from 2019. This marks the largest number of police-reported hate crimes since comparable data became available in 2009. In 2020, police-reported hate crimes targeting race or ethnicity almost doubled compared with a year earlier, accounting for the vast majority of the national increase in hate crimes.
The Government of Canada has taken a number of actions to combat hate, including:
Launch of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy: A three-year strategy designed to lay a foundation to tackle systemic racism through immediate actions;
Implementation of the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program, which provides timely funding and support for communities at risk of hate crime; as part of the development of the National Action Plan on Combatting Hate, potential adjustments to this program are being explored to enhance its effectiveness and to be more responsive to community needs;
Establishment of the Digital Citizen Initiative: a multi-component strategy that aims to support democracy and social cohesion in Canada by building citizen resilience against online disinformation and building partnerships to support a healthy information ecosystem;
Creation of the Task Force on Hate Crimes by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) and the Chiefs of Police National Roundtable;
Commitment to introduce legislation to address online harms;
Commitment to new legislation to make sure that social media platforms and other online services are held accountable for the content that they host;
Commitment to strengthen the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code to more effectively combat online hate; and
Commitment to establish a National Support Fund for Survivors of Hate-Motivated Crimes to help survivors with any uninsured costs that they have had to bear, such as mental health care, physiotherapy, medical equipment, and paramedical services.
Building a Foundation for Change: Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, unveiled on June 25, 2019, after extensive cross-country consultations, is an investment of more than $95 million to build long-term changes in supporting communities and improving policies, initiatives, and practices in our federal institutions.
In the 2021 Speech from the Throne, the Government reiterated its commitment to combatting hate and racism, including with a renewed Anti-Racism Strategy.
In July 2021, the Government of Canada hosted two national summits on Antisemitism and Islamophobia to identify ways in which organizations, communities, individuals, and the federal government can work together to increase public awareness, enhance community security, combat misinformation and online hate, and identify new measures necessary to combat antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate-fueled violence.
Arevig Afarian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
arevig.afarian@infc.gc.ca
Mar 8, 2022 | International
In the spirit of International Women’s Day, women agricultural leaders will participate in a fireside chat, moderated by Vicki Brisson, Member of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council.
March 7, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
In the spirit of International Women’s Day, women agricultural leaders will participate in a fireside chat, moderated by Vicki Brisson, Member of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council.
Participants include:
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food
The Honourable Margaret Johnson, Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries, New Brunswick
The Honourable Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, British Columbia
The Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario
The Honourable Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Finance, Industry, Tourism and Investment and Minister responsible for the Status of Women
Date
March 8, 2022
Time
11:00 am EST
Location
Virtual
Participation details
Media are invited to observe the panel discussion online at: https://www.facebook.com/CanadianAgriculture
Marianne Dandurand
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
marianne.dandurand@agr.gc.ca
343-541-9229
