Health Care Connect makes it easy to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner in your area.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀
1. Call or register online
2. A care connector (a Health Care Connect nurse) looks for a family doctor or primary care nurse practitioner in your community
3. You are contacted when a match is found

Register today, call 811 (available 24/7) or visit ontario.ca/healthcareconnect

Complete a Survey for your chance to win! Shape how the Municipality invests in our community!

The Municipality wants to hear from you. Your feedback will help staff and Council better understand what matters most to residents, where services are meeting expectations, and where there may be opportunities to improve. The results will help inform future budgets and investment decisions.

You use municipal services. You pay for them through taxes and utility rates. Your experience and priorities matter.

Do you want expanded library hours? More investment in parks and trails? Different recreation priorities? We want to hear from you.

Your feedback will help identify where residents see the greatest value and help guide the difficult choices that come with balancing community needs, service levels, and affordability.

These surveys are not a one-time conversation. Additional surveys will take place in the future to gather feedback on other services, including areas such as public transportation, roads, and emergency services. Moving forward, the survey will be conducted twice a year to provide ongoing community input throughout the planning and budget process.

Anyone who completes at least one of the surveys below and provides contact information will be entered into a draw to win a gift basket made up of great locally sourced items from local businesses!

Learn more and fill out the surveys at Let's Talk Chatham-Kent.

The next municipal election in Chatham-Kent is October 26, 2026. Below are resources for people considering running for Council.

Chatham-Kent Election Information

General Election information: Chatham-Kent | 2026 Municipal Election

Candidate Information: Candidate Information

Upcoming Information Workshops

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of FREE workshops for people who are thinking about running for municipal Council in 2026. The sessions will provide useful insights and strategies.

• Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities series— Has a stream for currently elected officials and another for first-time candidates.

Additional Resources

Learn about other ways to get involved in municipal government on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website

Learn how to get involved in 2026 municipal elections from Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Learn about the general process of running for local Council from Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Find additional resources and organizations that support equity-deserving communities to run for municipal office on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario website.

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. People often associate June with Pride month, which has roots in the Stonewall riots.

But, in Canada, the first large-scale protest for what we now call 2SLGBTQIA+ rights took place in August 1971.The 'We Demand Rally' was held at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, with a smaller rally in Vancouver. Demonstrators presented Parliament with a list of 10 demands to change laws discriminating against 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Two years, later, in August 1973, Pride Week events were held in several major cities across Canada. These included rallies for 2SLGTBQIA+ 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 more from the Canadian Museum of History.

Learn about Pride flags from the government of Canada.

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
  • Note: Free 'Our Door is Open to Everyone' window clings are available at Bill's Place or CK Public Libraries
• 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!

Note: If you’d like to deepen your understanding of 2SLGBTQIA+ terminology and communities, visit the CK Pride website for learning resources. CK Pride
is a not-for-profit volunteer community organization that aims to be collaborative and responsive in celebrating and supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ lives in Chatham-Kent throughout the year!

Taste of Chatham-Kent (TOCK) is a multi-week and multi-event celebration of cultural diversity in Chatham-Kent happening June 27 to July 26, 2026.

TOCK brings together ethno‑cultural associations, First Nations, Métis, Inuit or other Indigenous organizations, cultural restaurants, businesses, and community groups to highlight their culture and heritage through events, programming, recreation, food, and storytelling initiatives.

Proudly founded and organized by the Taste of Chatham Kent Committee in partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Get Involved

• Organize a cultural event or activity within Chatham-Kent or a nearby First Nation (supportive grant funding may be available)
• Sponsor Taste of Chatham-Kent
• Participate in an event

Learn more at the Taste of Chatham-Kent website.

August 1^st 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 1^st 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:

Visit the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History website for 2026 Emancipation Day events.

Events are free. Registration via EventBrite is encouraged but not required.

August 1, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 29251 Freedom Road, Dresden

Enjoy a program of live entertainment, inspiring speakers, cultural experiences, and family-friendly activities. Lunch available for purchase. Seating is available or bring your own chair.

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

August 7 - 9, 2026

Caldwell First Nation Reserve, Mersea Road 1, Leamington

Mersea Road 1 (beside Caldwell Gas & Variety)

Everyone is welcome.

$10 admission fee. Seniors $5. Children 4-8 free.

Grand entries:

Friday August 7, 6:00 PM

Saturday August 8, 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM

Sunday August 10, 12:00 PM

No pets. Drug & alcohol free event. Bring a lawn chair. Security on-site 24 hours.

Learn more about Pow Wows and etiquette:

A primer on Indigenous Pow Wows from Indigenous Corporate Training

Indigenous Pow Wow Protocols from Indigenous Corporate Training

Indigenous Pow Wow Dances from Indigenous Corporate Training

Pow Wow Guide by Full Circle Indigenous

Tips for Attending:

Listen to the Master of Ceremonies/Emcee – they’ll explain what’s happening to help visitors.

Ask permission before taking pictures of people. Generally, pictures are not allowed during Grand Entry but allowed at other times, but listen to the MC for instructions.

Use the term 'Regalia' to describe what dancers are wearing.

Don’t touch people’s Regalia without permission. They are not costumes and hold special meaning to dancers.

Seats closest to the dancing circle are reserved for singers, dancers, and drummers.

Respect that some sections set aside for those with mobility issues to sit with mobile chairs or walkers.

Support the vendors. Some vendors may have interact or etransfer options, but please make sure you have cash on hand as well.

Outdoor settings are sometimes uneven so watch your footing.

Sometimes bleachers are available for people, but it never hurts to bring a chair with you.

Leave pets at home.

Don’t bring alcohol or drugs.

Listen for 'Round' or 'Intertribal' dances - times where people of all Nations and without Regalia are usually welcome to join in.

Have fun!

CK Public Health, Reach Out Chatham-Kent, and the Community Drug Strategy invite you to join in honouring International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) 2026. Each year in August partners come together to remember individuals whose lives were cut short by preventable drug toxicities, and to re-imagine how we can co-create a safe, caring, and inclusive future for our community. This year, our theme is Every Story. Every Path. Every Life Matters.

Here are some ways you can take action:

• Attend the online learning session on Tuesday August 25^th 12-1pm to learn from renowned Nursing Leader, Parent Advocate, and Moms Stop The Harm Champion, Kathy Moreland. Kathy will share her lived experience journey as a mother who lost her 18-year-old son, Austin, to fentanyl toxicity. Email jordynne.linsday@ckoht.ca to register
  
  

• Attend the in-person memorial gathering on Wednesday August 26^th anytime from 3-6pm at 39 Richmond St., Chatham.
  • OR drop-in on Thursday August 27^th 4-7pm at 233 Nelson St. in Wallaceburg.
  • Food and refreshments, music, art, and resources will be provided. All are welcome.
    
    

• Use person-first, non-stigmatizing language to support individuals to seek help, provide equitable substance use health services, and encourage unbiased, effective policy. Research shows the words we use shape the care people who use substances receive and the opportunities available to them.
  
  

• Carry a Naloxone kit and learn how to respond to an acute drug toxicity.
  
  

• Learn more about substance use stigma and drug policy in Canada. Share what you learn with others in your circles.
  
  

• Plan a Compassionate Approaches training for your team/organization to learn with and from People With Lived and Living Expertise.
  
  

• Advocate for evidence-based solutions to the drug toxicity crisis such as early prevention, voluntary treatment, harm reduction, and supportive housing.
  
  

• Wear purple on August 31^st to show your support.
  
  

The 103rd North Buxton Homecoming is happening September 4 - 7!

The first Buxton Homecoming began as a picnic under a Pear Tree on Labour Day in 1924 on the Robbins Family Farm, across the street from the present-day Buxton National Historic Site & Museum. Created to bring former residents home to reconnect with family, friends, and community, it captured the true spirit of "homecoming". Today, that small gathering has grown into a four-day Labour Day weekend celebration welcoming over 5 000 visitors each year.

The 103rd Buxton Homecoming, themed "The Power of Community," features music, sports, cultural events, family activities, and opportunities to celebrate shared heritage.

Events are open to everyone.

Learn more on the North Buxton Homecoming Facebook page.

Dgwaagig Pii-maadoongeng Dibik Giizis

"Harvest Moon Pow-Wow"

September 12 and 13, 2026

Highbanks Park, Bkejwanong Territory, Walpole Island

For more information visit the Walpole Island First Nation website or the Dgwaagig Pii-maadoongeng Dibik Giizis Facebook Page.

Learn more about Pow Wows and etiquette:

A primer on Indigenous Pow Wows from Indigenous Corporate Training(External link)

Indigenous Pow Wow Protocols from Indigenous Corporate Training(External link)

Indigenous Pow Wow Dances from Indigenous Corporate Training(External link)

Pow Wow Guide by Full Circle Indigenous(External link)

Tips for Attending:

Listen to the Master of Ceremonies/Emcee – they’ll explain what’s happening to help visitors.

Ask permission before taking pictures of people. Generally, pictures are not allowed during Grand Entry but allowed at other times, but listen to the MC for instructions.

Use the term 'Regalia' to describe what dancers are wearing.

Don’t touch people’s Regalia without permission. They are not costumes and hold special meaning to dancers.

Seats closest to the dancing circle are reserved for singers, dancers, and drummers.

Respect that some sections set aside for those with mobility issues to sit with mobile chairs or walkers.

Support the vendors. Some vendors may have interact or etransfer options, but please make sure you have cash on hand as well.

Outdoor settings are sometimes uneven so watch your footing.

Sometimes bleachers are available for people, but it never hurts to bring a chair with you.

Leave pets at home.

Don’t bring alcohol or drugs.

Listen for 'Round' or 'Intertribal' dances - times where people of all Nations and without Regalia are usually welcome to join in.

Have fun!