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

Get Involved in Your Municipal Government!

Wednesday, March 25, 6::00 PM, Buxton Museum, 21975 A.D. Shadd Road, North Buxton

All welcome!

Learn about ways to make your voice heard in Chatham-Kent. From watching Council meetings, contacting Councillors, joining Committees, voting, or even running for Council. Join the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Clerk and members of Council to hear how you can help shape your community.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Brought to you by Buxton's Next Generation and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

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

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. Some workshops are specifically for people in equity-deserving communities*.

Upcoming Workshops:

• Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities series— Has a stream for currently elected officials and another for first-time candidates.
• Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate
• Information Session for Youth Considering Running
• Information Session for Urban Indigenous People Considering Running

Additional Resources

Find information about the 2026 Chatham-Kent municipal election on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website.

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

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

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

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is starting to post various summer student positions for the Summer of 2026. Positions will continue to be posted over the next couple of months.

Find the postings on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve. Learn more about the Municipality as an employer and our hiring processes on our website.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.

Friday, April 10, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM on Zoom

Bridging Generations at Work: Addressing Ageism and Building Collaboration

Register online

Today’s workplaces bring together multiple generations, each with different experiences, communication styles, and perspectives. This introductory session provides practical insights for navigating intergenerational workplaces, recognizing and addressing ageism in all directions, and strengthening collaboration across age groups. Participants will explore strategies for building respectful relationships, improving communication, and working effectively with colleagues and community members from different generations.

Participants will learn how to:

• Understand common generational perspectives and workplace expectations
• Recognize and address age-related bias and assumptions
• Improve communication across generations
• Strengthen collaboration and mutual respect in diverse teams
• Navigate generational differences when working with colleagues and community members

Who Should Attend

• Frontline Team Members
• Managers and supervisors
• HR professionals
• Team Leaders
• Anyone working in multigenerational teams

Together, we grow!

About Dr. Janelle Abela

Dr. Janelle Abela is the CEO and Growth Strategist of Diverse Solutions Strategy Firm Inc., where she leads organizational initiatives focused on leadership, workplace culture, and equity. She has extensive experience working with public sector, regulatory, private, and non-profit organizations across Canada and the United States. Janelle specializes in trauma-informed engagement, psychological safety, and evidence-based approaches to strengthening leadership and workplace culture.

Sponsored by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Program. Contact DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca with questions about the session.

Creating Cultural Safety within the Low German-speaking Community

Friday, April 24, 2026, 9:30 - 11:30 AM

Virtual Event

$45 registration

Explore the concept of creating cultural safety within Low German-Speaking Mennonite communities focusing on strategies to build respectful and inclusive spaces where individuals can express their identities and experiences without fear of discrimination. The webinar will delve into the unique cultural dynamics of these communities, highlighting the importance of understanding historical contexts, navigating language barriers and addressing cultural sensitivities. The session will offer practical guidance on fostering open dialogue, promoting empathy and implementing policies that support both cultural preservation and the safety of marginalized voices within these communities.

Facilitate by Perter Dyck through the Mennonite Central Committee.

Learn more or register: Creating Cultural Safety: A Webinar for Service Providers | Mennonite Central Committee

Nominations are Now Open and Tickets are For Sale!

The Chatham-Kent Black Excellence Awards & Gala returns on April 18, 2026 at the Everest Convention Centre.

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.

Ramadan is here!

Observed during the 9^th month of the Islamic lunar calendar and dependent on sightings of the Moon, Ramadan is expected to be honoured this year from February 17^th – March 19^th.

During Ramadan, Muslims heighten their spiritual commitment and practice self-discipline. It is considered a time for physical and spiritual cleansing. Although there is diversity in the way people honour the month, during Ramadan, people may fast during daylight hours, commit to acts of charity and engage in increased periods of reflection and prayer.

For Muslims, Ramadan also commemorates the revelation of the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book to the Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him), God's Messenger.

The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Eid al-Fitr, a festival of gratitude, forgiveness and connection with family. This significant holiday is celebrated over several days with prayer, charity, social gatherings and gift exchanges.

Ramadan Mubarak to everyone honouring this blessed month!

Learn More:

Learn about how to be supportive of people honouring Ramadan in the workplace through our tip sheet created in partnership with the Chatham Islamic Centre.

Find information about local ethno-cultural community groups and places of worship on the Living CK website.

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.