Articles

• Updated: Rental Renovation (Renoviction) By-Law Survey

  

  Share your feedback on the Draft "Renovictions" By-law in Chatham-Kent!

  The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has drafted a Rental Renovation License By-Law and is asking for public feedback.

  The draft License By-Law has been prepared that has 3 possible options for Council to consider. Members of the public are invited to review the draft by-law, proposed options, and provide input two ways:

  • A survey open until May 20^th
  • A public meeting May 13^th at 6:00 PM at the Cultural Centre.

  Learn more on Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent.

  Share your feedback on the Draft "Renovictions" By-law in Chatham-Kent!

  The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has drafted a Rental Renovation License By-Law and is asking for public feedback.

  The draft License By-Law has been prepared that has 3 possible options for Council to consider. Members of the public are invited to review the draft by-law, proposed options, and provide input two ways:

  • A survey open until May 20^th
  • A public meeting May 13^th at 6:00 PM at the Cultural Centre.

  Learn more on Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent.

• 2025 Food Insecurity in Chatham-Kent

  

  Chatham-Kent Public Health’s newly released 2025 Cost of Eating in CK infographic reveals an alarming trend: food insecurity is getting worse in Chatham-Kent.

  In 2024, they reported that at least 1 in 5 households struggled to afford enough food. In 2025, the latest data shows that the number has risen to almost 1 in 4 households, meaning close to 25% of local families are now unable to buy the food they need.

  This increase highlights a growing crisis in our community, driven not by a lack of food, but by a lack of sufficient income.

  “Food insecurity in Chatham-Kent isContinue reading

  Chatham-Kent Public Health’s newly released 2025 Cost of Eating in CK infographic reveals an alarming trend: food insecurity is getting worse in Chatham-Kent.

  In 2024, they reported that at least 1 in 5 households struggled to afford enough food. In 2025, the latest data shows that the number has risen to almost 1 in 4 households, meaning close to 25% of local families are now unable to buy the food they need.

  This increase highlights a growing crisis in our community, driven not by a lack of food, but by a lack of sufficient income.

  “Food insecurity in Chatham-Kent is driven by inadequate and insecure income, not a lack of food,” says Councillor Carmen McGregor, Chair of the Chatham-Kent Food Policy Council. “When people do not earn enough to cover housing, transportation, and food, they’re forced into impossible choices. Policies that support stable and adequate income, including a basic income guarantee, are critical to reducing food insecurity.”

  While community organizations across Chatham-Kent provide important emergency food supports, these services offer only temporary relief. They cannot resolve the underlying issue: too many residents do not have enough income to meet basic needs.

  Food insecurity comes with serious health consequences. Adults and children living without consistent access to nutritious food face poorer health outcomes.

  “Food insecurity is fundamentally an income issue,” says Dr Shanker Nesathurai, Medical Officer of Health for CK Public Health. “Advancing policies that support stable and adequate income ensures that everyone in Chatham-Kent can live a healthier life.”

  What Residents Can Do

  CK Public Health encourages community members to take action by:

  • Learning more about food insecurity and its root causes
  • Talking openly with friends, family, and colleagues about why food insecurity happens
  • Advocating for income-based solutions, including a basic income guarantee, to help ensure everyone in CK can afford nutritious food

  To learn more about how food insecurity affects households in Chatham-Kent, community members can visit the new CK Public Health Household Food Insecurity Dashboard. This interactive tool breaks down income scenarios and offers a deeper look at the factors driving food insecurity. Access it at www.ckphu.com/food-insecurity.

• CTC-CK's Youth Action Team: Things I Wish You Knew

  

  
  

  The Children's Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent's Youth Action Team are highlighting something important.

  
  In their latest video, members talk about the things people with disabilities wish others understood— the small things, the big things, and the everyday moments that matter.

  • Humans are more than their diagnosis.
  • Inclusion isn’t about pity, it’s about respect.
  • Accessibility benefits everyone.
  • Sometimes the hardest part about disability is other people’s attitudes.

  Inclusion starts with understanding. Listen. Learn. Include.

  
  

  Watch the video on the CTC-CK Facebook page.

  Learn more about the lived experiences of local youth and young people living with disabilities on the CTC-CK'sContinue reading

  

  
  

  The Children's Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent's Youth Action Team are highlighting something important.

  
  In their latest video, members talk about the things people with disabilities wish others understood— the small things, the big things, and the everyday moments that matter.

  • Humans are more than their diagnosis.
  • Inclusion isn’t about pity, it’s about respect.
  • Accessibility benefits everyone.
  • Sometimes the hardest part about disability is other people’s attitudes.

  Inclusion starts with understanding. Listen. Learn. Include.

  
  

  Watch the video on the CTC-CK Facebook page.

  Learn more about the lived experiences of local youth and young people living with disabilities on the CTC-CK's Youtube page.

• Re-Launch of Our Door is Open to Everyone Window Sign Campaign

  

  
  

  CK Pride and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Relaunch “Our Door Is Open to Everyone” Window Sign Campaign

  CK Pride, in partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, is proud to announce the relaunch of the Our Door is Open to Everyone campaign, a visible community initiative that affirms inclusion, safety, and belonging for 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and visitors across Chatham-Kent.

  Originally launched with cardboard signage, the campaign has been refreshed in 2026 with durable window clings and stickers that reflect CK Pride’s updated name and new logo, making it easier for businesses, organizations, and public spaces to visibly demonstrate their commitment toContinue reading

  

  
  

  CK Pride and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Relaunch “Our Door Is Open to Everyone” Window Sign Campaign

  CK Pride, in partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, is proud to announce the relaunch of the Our Door is Open to Everyone campaign, a visible community initiative that affirms inclusion, safety, and belonging for 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and visitors across Chatham-Kent.

  Originally launched with cardboard signage, the campaign has been refreshed in 2026 with durable window clings and stickers that reflect CK Pride’s updated name and new logo, making it easier for businesses, organizations, and public spaces to visibly demonstrate their commitment to welcoming and affirming environments.

  The window clings were designed by Joel Emery and produced locally by CutiePatootieStudios, supporting community-based creatives while ensuring high-quality, long-lasting materials suitable for storefronts, offices, and public-facing spaces. This project is supported by Council Ward Funding, through a partnership between the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and Hydro One.

  The Our Door Is Open to Everyone window clings signal that a space is one where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions are respected and supported. Participating locations are encouraged to reflect this commitment not only through signage, but through everyday practices rooted in dignity, equity, and inclusion.

  “Visibility matters,” say the Board of Directors at CK Pride. “In a community as diverse and geographically large as Chatham-Kent, these window clings offer a simple but meaningful way to signal safety, allyship, and care. For many people, especially youth, newcomers, and those navigating rural isolation, seeing that sign can make the difference between entering a space or walking away.”

  The Municipality of Chatham-Kent continues to support the campaign as part of its broader commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, and community safety. The relaunch aligns with ongoing municipal efforts to foster welcoming public spaces and strengthen trust across communities.

  Window clings and stickers will be available to local businesses, community organizations, and municipal spaces. Participation in the campaign is voluntary, and CK Pride encourages participants to engage with the campaign thoughtfully and authentically.

  Organizations interested in displaying an Our Door Is Open to Everyone window cling can contact info@ckpride.com, or pick one up from Bill's Place, Community Space, 48 Centre St. during drop-in hours. They will also be distributed at Municipal Centers and CK Public Library branches.

• CKOHT and Partners Commitment to Action on Anti-Black Racism

  

  Inclusion and representation are essential to building a health care system that reflects and meets the diverse needs of everyone in Chatham-Kent.

  In 2021, the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team (CKOHT) Diversity and Equity Working Group established the Anti-Black Racism/Anti-Oppression Action Team.

  For several years, the Anti-Black Racism/Anti-Oppression Action Team has heard anecdotal evidence about racism, discrimination, stereotypes, stigma and oppressive behaviours and actions occurring in health care environments in Chatham-Kent.

  In 2024, the Action Team asked the community questions to understand their experiences of racism in local health care.

  Find out what the Team learned and how CKOHT and PartnersContinue reading

  

  Inclusion and representation are essential to building a health care system that reflects and meets the diverse needs of everyone in Chatham-Kent.

  In 2021, the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team (CKOHT) Diversity and Equity Working Group established the Anti-Black Racism/Anti-Oppression Action Team.

  For several years, the Anti-Black Racism/Anti-Oppression Action Team has heard anecdotal evidence about racism, discrimination, stereotypes, stigma and oppressive behaviours and actions occurring in health care environments in Chatham-Kent.

  In 2024, the Action Team asked the community questions to understand their experiences of racism in local health care.

  Find out what the Team learned and how CKOHT and Partners are committing to action on Anti-Black Racism through the video linked above and on the CKOHT website.

• New! CK Alert

  

  
  

  The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has launched CKAlert, a new emergency notification service.

  Signing up for this service will allow residents to receive important public safety messages in the event of a major emergency in the community, such as flooding, boil water advisories, major road closures, and more.

  Learn more about the service and sign up on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's website.

  

  
  

  The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has launched CKAlert, a new emergency notification service.

  Signing up for this service will allow residents to receive important public safety messages in the event of a major emergency in the community, such as flooding, boil water advisories, major road closures, and more.

  Learn more about the service and sign up on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's website.

• Report hate or discrimination in CK

  

  CK Victim Services has launched a new online tool to report incidents of hate or discrimination in CK.

  This new tool will give people an option to report outside of going to the police. Many people don’t report experiences motivated by hate or bias to police. The intention of this new tool is to 1) ensure that people can get access to supports if they need it, and 2) use the combined data to get an idea of trends in the community.

  Key points:

  • The tool is available on Victim Services website http://www.ckvictimservices.com/report-hate
  • People can also call Victim Services atContinue reading

  

  CK Victim Services has launched a new online tool to report incidents of hate or discrimination in CK.

  This new tool will give people an option to report outside of going to the police. Many people don’t report experiences motivated by hate or bias to police. The intention of this new tool is to 1) ensure that people can get access to supports if they need it, and 2) use the combined data to get an idea of trends in the community.

  Key points:

  • The tool is available on Victim Services website http://www.ckvictimservices.com/report-hate
  • People can also call Victim Services at 519-436-6630 and leave a message saying they want to make a report. Calls will be returned within 3 business days.
  • People can report their own experiences or experiences they witnessed.
  • People have the option of submitting an anonymous report or providing their contact information and indicating that they would like support from Victim Services.
  • Hate or discrimination could include things like (but is not limited to) harassment, intimidation, threats, denial of services, witnessing or seeing vandalism aimed at a person or the broader community because of a person’s race, ethnic origin, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disabilities, or other identities.

• Website: Free Food Resources in CK

  

  
  

  The Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Employment and Social Services program has created a website with information for people who may need food assistance, including resources like:

  • food banks
  • little free pantries
  • soup kitchens
  • food voucher programs
  • drop-in/outreach services.

  Visit www.chatham-kent.ca/EmergencyFood or scan the QR code above to go to the website.

  These services are here to support individuals and families in our community. Whether you're in immediate need or looking for ongoing assistance, there are options available to help you.

  

  
  

  The Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Employment and Social Services program has created a website with information for people who may need food assistance, including resources like:

  • food banks
  • little free pantries
  • soup kitchens
  • food voucher programs
  • drop-in/outreach services.

  Visit www.chatham-kent.ca/EmergencyFood or scan the QR code above to go to the website.

  These services are here to support individuals and families in our community. Whether you're in immediate need or looking for ongoing assistance, there are options available to help you.

• Homelessness Response Toolkit

  Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K) has designed a Homelessness Response Toolkit for local businesses, organizations, and area residents better understand and engage with local homelessness response efforts. The goal is to provide practical guidance, reduce stigma, and encourage compassionate and informed interactions with individuals experiencing homelessness.

  The kit includes a quick reference postcard with information on who to call in specific situations, including phone numbers for outreach services, sharps clean-up, shelter, and other essential resources, ensuring that businesses and community members have immediate access to support when needed.

  Digital copies can be accessed at www.reachoutck.com/resources.

  

  Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K) has designed a Homelessness Response Toolkit for local businesses, organizations, and area residents better understand and engage with local homelessness response efforts. The goal is to provide practical guidance, reduce stigma, and encourage compassionate and informed interactions with individuals experiencing homelessness.

  The kit includes a quick reference postcard with information on who to call in specific situations, including phone numbers for outreach services, sharps clean-up, shelter, and other essential resources, ensuring that businesses and community members have immediate access to support when needed.

  Digital copies can be accessed at www.reachoutck.com/resources.

  

• Book Club: Unbound

  Unbound Book Club.

  For people who may feel bound by the lack of accessibility in our works, join to explore new worlds, unique stories and meet new characters through the word of books.

  For young adults (18+) who have a disability or are an ally for the disability community.

  
  

  Books chosen based on availability in both print and audiobook formats.

  For more information contact 226-626-6585 or erin.genge@gmail.com

  
  

  Unbound Book Club.

  For people who may feel bound by the lack of accessibility in our works, join to explore new worlds, unique stories and meet new characters through the word of books.

  For young adults (18+) who have a disability or are an ally for the disability community.

  
  

  Books chosen based on availability in both print and audiobook formats.

  For more information contact 226-626-6585 or erin.genge@gmail.com