Recognizing Our Diversity

February is Black History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions and accomplishments of the Black Canadians and their communities. 

International Women's Day is a global day to recognize and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and girls.  

Guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recognizes that the injustices and prejudices fueled by racial discrimination take place every day.

Also known as Red Dress Day, May 5 honours the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirit, and gender diverse people in Canada by encouraging learning and building awareness to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirit, and gender diverse people. 

A day to recognize the progress made in the struggle for LGBT+ equality and recommit ourselves to working with the LGBT+ community to fight for full equality around the world. Created in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally.

National AccessAbility Week is an opportunity to mark the important contributions of Canadians with disabilities and to highlight how Canadians are identifying, removing and preventing barriers to inclusion and accessibility.

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

Seniors Month is a time to recognize the hard work seniors have done all their lives to make Ontario into the great place it is today.

Now more than ever we are seeing an increasing gap between old people and young, and in order to reduce and close the gap, Intergenerational Day on June 1 was created. The day is a way to bring different generations together by helping them see the similar connections they have with each other. It is also a way to reduce loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress that people of all ages experience.

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Call to Action Number 80, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-5 to make September 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a day to honour survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” This day also coincides with National Orange Shirt Day when events such as Every Child Matters are planned.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.