Cathy Crowe
Encyclopedia
Cathy Crowe, RN
(born 1952) is a Canadian
nurse, educator and social activist, specializing in advocacy for the homeless in Canada. She was the Ontario New Democratic Party
's candidate in the 2010 provincial by-election (where she placed 2nd losing to Liberal Glen Murray) and in the 2011 provincial election in Toronto Centre
.
, she went to Toronto to work and study at the Toronto General Hospital
, where she received a diploma in nursing
, in 1972. In 1985, she received a Bachelor of Applied Arts
in nursing, from Ryerson Polytechnic Institute
. In 1992, she received her Master of Education
in sociology
, from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
(OISE). She twice was bestowed with honorary degrees. Her first one was from the University of Victoria
, which granted her a Doctor of Science in Nursing (honoris causa
), in 2001. Her second degree is a Doctor of Letters
(honoris causa) from McMaster University
, bestowed on her in June 2005.
She was previously married to former Metro Toronto Councillor Roger Hollander.
and poor
populations in Canada's largest city, Toronto. She is an activist for housing
, public health
and social justice
. In 1998, along with other social justice activists and academics, she co-founded the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee (TDRC). By bringing public attention to the plight of the homeless, which in their view, needs the kind of response that governments give to natural disasters. This human-disaster was the basis for the name of the group and many of its ideas.
The TDRC and Crowe promoted the idea of a "One Percent Solution" to end homelessness. The one percent solution calls for each level of government to commit an additional one percent of their budget towards affordable, social housing.
, as their candidate in the February 4, 2010 by-election in the provincial riding of Toronto Centre
. At the ONDP's January 10, 2010 nomination meeting, her candidacy went uncontested. She faced Ontario Liberal Party
's candidate, Glen Murray, and Pamela Taylor for the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party. Crowe finished a strong second, doubling the NDP's vote totals by taking 33 percent of the popular vote.
Registered nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
(born 1952) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
nurse, educator and social activist, specializing in advocacy for the homeless in Canada. She was the Ontario New Democratic Party
Ontario New Democratic Party
The Ontario New Democratic Party or , formally known as New Democratic Party of Ontario, is a social democratic political party in Ontario, Canada. It is a provincial section of the federal New Democratic Party. It was formed in October 1961, a few months after the federal party. The ONDP had its...
's candidate in the 2010 provincial by-election (where she placed 2nd losing to Liberal Glen Murray) and in the 2011 provincial election in Toronto Centre
Toronto Centre (provincial electoral district)
Toronto Centre is a provincial electoral district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It elects one member to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.It was created in 1999 as Toronto Centre—Rosedale from most of St. George—St. David and parts of St. Andrew—St...
.
Early life and education
Raised in Kingston, OntarioKingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, she went to Toronto to work and study at the Toronto General Hospital
Toronto General Hospital
The Toronto General Hospital , is a part of the University Health Network, and a major teaching hospital in downtown Toronto, Ontario. It is located in the Discovery District, directly north of the Hospital for Sick Children, across Gerrard Street West, and east of Princess Margaret Hospital and...
, where she received a diploma in nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
, in 1972. In 1985, she received a Bachelor of Applied Arts
Bachelor of Applied Arts
The Bachelor of Applied Arts, often abbreviated as BAA or B.A.A. is an undergraduate degree. The term 'Applied' means that the degree is vocational in nature, and not research-oriented.-Usage:...
in nursing, from Ryerson Polytechnic Institute
Ryerson University
Ryerson University is a public research university located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its urban campus is adjacent to Yonge-Dundas Square located at the busiest intersection in Downtown Toronto. The majority of its buildings are in the blocks northeast of the square in Toronto's Garden...
. In 1992, she received her Master of Education
Master of Education
The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...
in sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
, from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto is a teachers' college in Toronto, Ontario.-History:OISE/UT traces its origins to the founding of the Provincial Normal School in 1847...
(OISE). She twice was bestowed with honorary degrees. Her first one was from the University of Victoria
University of Victoria
The University of Victoria, often referred to as UVic, is the second oldest public research university in British Columbia, Canada. It is a research intensive university located in Saanich and Oak Bay, about northeast of downtown Victoria. The University's annual enrollment is about 20,000 students...
, which granted her a Doctor of Science in Nursing (honoris causa
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
), in 2001. Her second degree is a Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
(honoris causa) from McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
, bestowed on her in June 2005.
She was previously married to former Metro Toronto Councillor Roger Hollander.
Community work
She came to public prominence as a "street nurse", a term coined in the early 1990s by a homeless man in the low-economic downtown Toronto area where she worked. She is noted for her work with the homelessHomelessness in Canada
Homelessness in Canada has grown in size and complexity in recent years. While historically known as a crisis only of urban centres such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal, the increasing incidence of homelessness in the suburbs is necessitating new services and resources.The demographic...
and poor
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
populations in Canada's largest city, Toronto. She is an activist for housing
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
, public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
and social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
. In 1998, along with other social justice activists and academics, she co-founded the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee (TDRC). By bringing public attention to the plight of the homeless, which in their view, needs the kind of response that governments give to natural disasters. This human-disaster was the basis for the name of the group and many of its ideas.
The TDRC and Crowe promoted the idea of a "One Percent Solution" to end homelessness. The one percent solution calls for each level of government to commit an additional one percent of their budget towards affordable, social housing.
Electoral politics
In January 2010, Crowe entered electoral politics, by offering to run for the Ontario New Democratic PartyOntario New Democratic Party
The Ontario New Democratic Party or , formally known as New Democratic Party of Ontario, is a social democratic political party in Ontario, Canada. It is a provincial section of the federal New Democratic Party. It was formed in October 1961, a few months after the federal party. The ONDP had its...
, as their candidate in the February 4, 2010 by-election in the provincial riding of Toronto Centre
Toronto Centre (provincial electoral district)
Toronto Centre is a provincial electoral district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It elects one member to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.It was created in 1999 as Toronto Centre—Rosedale from most of St. George—St. David and parts of St. Andrew—St...
. At the ONDP's January 10, 2010 nomination meeting, her candidacy went uncontested. She faced Ontario Liberal Party
Ontario Liberal Party
The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and...
's candidate, Glen Murray, and Pamela Taylor for the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party. Crowe finished a strong second, doubling the NDP's vote totals by taking 33 percent of the popular vote.