Atkinson Field Notes
Learning Through Action
News, presentations and reflections from Atkinson’s Chief Executive Officer Colette Murphy and the rest of the Atkinson team.
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27 Nov 25
Good evening, my name is Wendy Chan. I’m the Chair of the Atkinson Foundation Board of Directors. It’s my honour to welcome you to this celebration of the 2025 Good Fight Prize. We are gathering tonight on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation as well as the traditional territory... Read more >
28 Oct 25
By now, you will have seen signs that Atkinson is upping its contribution to the fight for decent work. We’ve been in it for a long time now. More than eighty years. So, we know the weight needed to tip the scale toward justice. Change is possible when at least 3.5 % of the population is engaged. Read more >
26 Sep 25
The Atkinson Foundation is an institutional investor who holds shares in the TMX Group. Today, I stand here as a proud investor among a growing number who share a commitment to Indigenous inclusion and economic reconciliation. I’m also one among many witnesses to the leadership demonstrated by John McKenzie and his team... Read more >
25 Sep 25
I’m grateful to Kris Archie and her team for bringing all of us together here on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. I’ve come from Toronto, the place that used to be widely known as Tkaranto... Read more >
6 Jan 25
In the first Saturday edition this year, the Toronto Star asked 50 Torontonians to “tell [them] how, in this city, they find happiness, so that in 2025, we all might find more of it.” I chose the Sunnyside-Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool. “I’ve loved early mornings [at the pool] for only five of its 100 years on the lakeshore... Read more >
4 Sep 24
Arrivals can be awkward. A polite handshake. Casual commentary about the weather. A reciting of one's resume. There are few shortcuts to time spent together in the process of building trust and learning to collaborate. As I was thinking about how to introduce myself to the Atkinson community, it occurred to me... Read more >
2 May 24
I appreciate this opportunity to think aloud with you about this day and the way ahead. Since leaving home early yesterday morning, I’ve been thinking about expectations – mine, yours and ours.
I expected to have a long day of travel with a transfer in Vancouver on Wednesday. That flight was delayed and I ended up on a direct flight to Victoria... Read more >
2 Feb 24
The reality of Ed Broadbent’s death is sinking in slowly. He seemed ageless and invincible at 87. A much respected main character in the story of this country – and in the lives of many individuals and communities with whom he made common cause. Atkinson was one of the organizations with whom Ed collaborated over several decades to advance a broad, shared vision... Read more >
30 Oct 23
It’s good to be with you today to talk about the cities we deserve and to celebrate the people who build them – people just like you – who get up every morning (even on Saturdays) ready to do this essential civic labour. And it does take all of us – residents throughout the GTHA, elected officials and public servants, trade unionists and workforce developers... Read more >
1 May 23
“We’ve lost a giant,” wrote Pedro Barata on the day after we learned that Dr. Charles Pascal had died suddenly. “Charles was relentless. He leaves us such a rich legacy of progressive policies and strong organizations pushing for social justice. So many of us benefited from Charles’ wisdom, time and belief.” Ever since I heard the news last Monday... Read more >
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