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VELMA WINS J.S. WOODSWORTH AWARD Velma was presented with the 2002 J.S. Woodsworth Award by NDP leader Howard Hampton at a ceremony on March 21, 2002 at the Steelworkers Hall in Toronto. The Award, given annually by the Ontario NDP Parliamentary Caucus and Ethnic Liaison Committee to mark the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, recognizes a recipient for their tireless work for peace and social justice in Ontario. Velma was unanimously chosen for the Award, beating out several other prominent nominees including Senator Ann C. Cools and former Canadian Auto Workers head Dennis McDermott. Velma's struggle against the Female Refuges Act and her vocal opposition to Bill C-36 were recognized as "an exemplary dedication to the struggle for the rights of minorities and immigrants and for working to eliminate racism." Past winners of the award include Ruth Morris, Dr. Howard McCurdy, and the Chinese Canadian National Council.
Velma addressed the audience of around 150 after receiving the award and said that she accepted it on behalf of "the thousands of other women who, like me, were treated brutally and imprisoned under [the Female Refuges Act], but have remained silent." Velma also took the opportunity to speak out against Bill C-36, saying "this law is open to the same abuse as the law that was used against me, and it pains me to see how little we have come as a society since the 1930s. Until all laws that are open to selective treatment are disowned by governments and met with disapproval by all citizens, our struggle for justice will have to continue."
Velma's moving speech was met with a standing ovation, and at the reception following the ceremony, Velma was beseiged by well-wishers wanting to speak with her, including NDP leader Howard Hampton, and MPPs Rosario Marchese, Michael Prue, and Marilyn Churley.
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FORMAL NOTICE SERVED ON ONTARIO GOVERNMENT On Friday April 5, 2002, Velma's lawyer David Midanik served formal Notice persuant to the Proceedings Against the Crown Act claiming "damages against Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario arising out of her incarceration under the Female Refuges Act." Following the 60 day waiting period provided for in the Proceedings Against the Crown Act, Velma's claim will be formally issued out of Ontario's Superior Court of Justice, at which point the Crown will have 20 days to respond. It is expected that the government will bring a motion to challenge Velma's claim in June, the outcome of which will be critical to the success of Velma's lawsuit. Friends of Velma Demerson is planning several support activities to coincide with the anticipated challenge.
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The statement of claim, drafted by Velma's lawyer David Midanik, seeks damages as well as a declaration that the Female Refuges Act was unlawful. David Midanik has named the Federal Government along with the Ontario Government as defendants in the statement of claim. The claim alleges that the government of Canada had "a legal duty at all material times to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to have the Female Refuges Act declared unconstitutional as being an encroachment of the criminal law power of Canada."
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