Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent

This Website shares information about the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Strategy.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Calendar

Click on the images below to view an electronic calendar of important days in July 2025. Click on the text to open a link to learn more.

Outside of the days listed on the calendar, people may have regular prayer, reflection, or fasting practices.

Information about community events honouring days of significance and learning opportunities can be found in the DEIJ News section of this website.

Please contact us if there are errors or days missing.

If you are printing the calendar, please use Legal size paper.


Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent

This Website shares information about the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Strategy.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Calendar

Click on the images below to view an electronic calendar of important days in July 2025. Click on the text to open a link to learn more.

Outside of the days listed on the calendar, people may have regular prayer, reflection, or fasting practices.

Information about community events honouring days of significance and learning opportunities can be found in the DEIJ News section of this website.

Please contact us if there are errors or days missing.

If you are printing the calendar, please use Legal size paper.


  • Pride Season 2025

    Image of progress pride flag flying with a blue sky and cloud in the background.


    Note: The terminology in this article may be new to some folks. If you’d like to deepen your understanding of 2SLGBTQIA+ terminology and communities, visit the CK Pride website. CK Pride offers opportunities for celebrating, advocating, offering support, mentoring, and educating to improve the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Chatham-Kent throughout the year, not just during Pride Season!


    June kicks off Pride Season, when we celebrate the diverse Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and additional identities (2SLGBTQIA+) communities in Chatham-Kent!


    The History of Pride Celebrations

    Many people are unaware that pride celebrations started as protests. In the U.S.A., in June 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club, in Greenwich Village, New York. The raid led to six days of riots and protests by residents, staff, and bar patrons, many of whom were racialized trans people. The riots, now known as the ‘Stonewall riots’ were a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States, and around the World.

    In Canada, similar raids happened in Toronto in the early 1970s, leading to protests for rights and protections for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada. The first pride week was held in major cities across Canada in August in 1973 to rally for equal rights. This is why some communities in Canada (including Chatham--Kent) honour Pride in August instead of June.

    Of course, throughout time and history there has been celebration of, and resistance among, what we now call 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities.


    Learn about Pride flags from the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.


    How is Pride celebrated today?

    There is a growing movement to use the term Pride season in recognition of the diverse history of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movements, and the various times and ways Pride is celebrated. Now, Pride gatherings are used to honour the work that has been done and to raise awareness about the work still needed to achieve respect, dignity, safety, and rights for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people. It is also a time when people who may at other times feel unsafe or marginalized because of their identities have a short window of time and place to honour their authentic selves. Events include parades, rallies, workshops, concerts as well as memorials and commemorations for community members, family, and friends who lost someone due to hate crimes and HIV/AIDS.


    How is Pride Honoured in Chatham-Kent?

    In Chatham-Kent, Pride is celebrated in August, with a week of events organized by CK Pride.

    Learn about local Pride events on the CK Pride website. Learn about CK Pride's history on the CK Pride website.

    Events are open to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and aspiring allies - anyone who supports 2SLGBTQIA+ human rights.


    How Can I Demonstrate Allyship to 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities?

    You can support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities all-year, not just during Pride Season! We all want to feel welcomed and supported. Some ideas include:

    • Learn about the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and histories, for example, through websites, books, podcasts, films, or attending local events
    • Reflect on assumptions or biases you or others around you may have and challenge yourself to be more open
    • Use inclusive language - avoid gendered language (i.e. partner instead of assuming boyfriend of girlfriend)
    • Use appropriate pronouns and avoid assumptions about how people identify
    • Respectfully intervene to offer a different opinion when you hear homophobic or transphobic comments
    • Accompany friends or family members to a Pride event to show your support and celebrate the community
    • Display rainbow or other 2SLGBTQIA+ flags or symbols in your home, office, or car
    • Listen and be empathetic to 2SLGBTQIA+ community member's experiences if they share
    • Support charities that support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities

    None of us are perfect, be gentle with yourself along the way, and keep learning and trying!


    To folks celebrating - we celebrate you throughout the year, but especially during Pride Season!

  • July 12, 2025: SheLeads Women's Event


    A full-day event designed to educate, inspire, and empower women-identifying folks of Chatham-Kent.

    July 12, 2025, Capitol Theatre

    Pay what you can.

    Learn more, register, and purchase tickets on the She Leads website.

  • August 1: Emancipation Day & Month

    A picture of multiple arms and fists with different skin tones raised in the air. Above the first is an image of a chain breaking, as though the collective fists have broken the chain.


    August 1st is Emancipation Day in Canada, and the month of August is Emancipation month in Ontario.


    Emancipation Day commemorates the Abolition of Slavery Act, which became law on August 1, 1834, marking the end of the institution of slavery within British colonies, including Canada.


    While people often associate chattel slavery with the United States, Canada also has a history of enslavement of People of African descent and Indigenous Peoples. In fact, the first known Black person in Chatham-Kent was enslaved.


    A 1793 Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada had already prohibited bringing enslaved people into Upper Canada, however, the 1834 Act went further to lay the pathway to free more than 800 000 people of African descent throughout the British Empire. For most enslaved people, the Abolition of Slavery Act only resulted in partial liberation, freeing children under the age of six while still requiring others to continue serving their former enslavers for four to six years as apprentices. The Act confirmed Canada as a free territory for enslaved African Americans, though, which led to thousands of people of African-descent arriving in Canada from the United States between 1834 and the early 1860s, including in what is now known as Chatham-Kent.

    Although the institution of slavery was ended, Black communities continued to experience racism and discrimination in Canada. And no formal apologies or compensation has ever been offered to the people or descendants of those enslaved.


    Emancipation Day has been celebrated on or near August 1st each year by Black communities and supporters since 1834. The day was formally recognized in 2008 by Ontario and by Canada in 2021. Ontario also recognized August as Emancipation Month in 2021. Today, Emancipation Day and Month are a time to celebrate the end of slavery, but also to raise awareness about and commit to advancing racial equity.


    Activists in Chatham-Kent and Chatham-Kent's Council vocally supported Member of Parliament Majid Jowhari's motion to designate August 1 as Emancipation Day in Canada, including through a formal motion of support sent to local Member of Parliament and all House of Commons representatives.


    Local Emancipation Day Events:

    Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History


    Learn more:

    Buxton National Historic Site & Museum

    Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum

    Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History

    Chatham-Kent Tourism – Black History

    Canadian Museum of Human Rights

    Government of Canada


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • New website: Free Food Resources in CK

    Flyer promoting the website with free food resources in Chatham-Kent. All text is included below.


    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.

  • New Report: Food Insecurity in Chatham-Kent

    An infographic summarizing key findings of the fully report. Contact CK Public Health to get this information in an alternative format.


    At the February 2025 Board of Health meeting, CK Public Health released a report about household food insecurity in Chatham-Kent. A few key findings included:

    • 1 in 5 households in CK are food insecure
    • Many people in CK don't have enough money to buy food
    • The root cause of food insecurity is poverty
    • Emergency food charity is not a long-term solution.

    The report calls on community members and organizations to learn about food insecurity, talk to friends, family, and colleagues about the true causes of food insecurity, and advocate for income solutions.

    Find the full report, the above infographic, and more information on the CK Public Health website.

  • New Resource: Report hate or discrimination in CK

    Stand against hate. Report it. CKVICTIMSERVICES.COM/REPOR-HATE Confidential and anonymous reporting. Don't want to report online? Call us at 519-436-6630. Chatham-Kent Victim Services.

    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.
  • Municipality of Chatham-Kent 2023-2027 HR Strategies


    We are pleased to share with you the 2023-2027 Human Resources (HR) Strategies, which include the People and Culture Strategy, Mental Health and Wellbeing (MHW) Strategy, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Strategy!

    We appreciate the collaboration and input many employees and partners have provided tour team since 2021 to develop these Strategies.

    Many action items have already been started and many more are on the horizon to achieve our objectives by 2027.

    We look forward to sharing the Municipality’s progress and celebrating accomplishments along this path of continuous improvement!


  • New Program: Become a Dementia Friendly Business

    An image promoting the program. Image has the Alzheimer Society Chatham-Kent logo and a Dementia Friendly Community Supporter logo. Text says Become a dementia-friendly business! Image shows a business setting with a cashier handing a bag to a woman who is purchasing a product.


    The Chatham Alzheimer Society is rolling out a new initiative throughout Chatham-Kent. The program is called “dementia friendly communities” and the goal of the program is to give Chatham Kent businesses the skills and knowledge to better serve our dementia community. After a 1-hour education session with our education manager, your business can become certified as a dementia friendly supporter. With this designation you will receive a special decal for your display and advertising on the Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent’s website and socials. You can learn more about the program here: Dementia Friendly Communities Ontario | Alzheimer Society of Ontario



    To receive the designation, 75% of frontline staff must complete either the in person education course (1 hour) or an online e-module course (1 hour) (if you cannot get all employees to attend the in-person course).



    If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent directly at 519-352-1043 ext. 221 or email info@justasck.ca

Page last updated: 02 Jul 2025, 12:31 PM