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 April and May 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 April and May 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.


  • 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

  • New Local Book Club: Unbound

    Flyer for the book club. All text below. Flyer has a stack of books on the left side of the page and text on the right.


    New! 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.


    September Book Club Pick: The Reading List, by Sara Nisha Adams.

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

    September 18, 2024, 7-9PM. Turns & Tales Bookstore. 213 King St W, Unit 2, Chatham.

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


    Future meeting dates:

    October 23, 2024; November 20, 2024; December 18, 2024.

  • Event: CK Newcomer Network Monthly Events

    Flyer promoting the event. All text below. Image shows coffee beans and a cup of coffee.


    What's Brewing Chatham-Kent? Newcomer Network

    New to Chatham-Kent? Look no further! There are numerous organizations and individuals ready to help newcomers adjust to the community. Whether you are a newcomer to Chatham-Kent, Ontario, or Canada, we are here to welcome you!

    Come join us at our monthly events to connect, make new acquaintances, and discover all that Chatham-Kent has in store for you!

    One free non-alcoholic beverage included. Sponsored by United Way. Opportunities to win fun prizes!

    At Turns & Tales, 213 King Street, Chatham.

    Wednesday, May 22nd from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. Sponsored by United Way of Chatham-Kent, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, Thamesview Family Health Team, Living CK, and CK Public Health.

    Contact info@uwock.ca for more information.

  • Resource: Free Online English Classes for People who are Migrant Workers

    Collège Boréal is providing free, online English classes with a live instructor for people who are Migrant Workers in Chatham-Kent. Reach out to Azuani Cano, 519-384-9393, acano@dol.ca or Jiohanka Perez, 519-397-1677, jiohanka.perez@collegeboreal.ca for more information and to register.


    Poster advertising the English classes. Text above.


    Don't forget to subscribe to the CK Local Immigration Partnership newsletter for more updates like these!

  • No. 2 Construction Battalion

    Two stands in the lobby of Chatham-Kent's Civic Center. On holds a picture of the Number 2 Battalion, a photo of and letter from Arthur Alexander to the Minister of Militia & Defence asking why Black men are not able to enlist, and a response from the Minister's office saying that decisions about who to enlist are made by local Officers. A second stand holds a list of name of Black World War 1 veterans from Chatham-Kent. A picture of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, correspondence between Arthur Alexander and the Ministry of Militia & Defence, and the names of Black WWI Veterans from Chatham-Kent is currently on display in the Civic Center lobby.

    Have you heard of the No. 2 Construction Battalion?


    Thanks to the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, and Ontario Heritage Trust, you can see a photo of the group and the names of local Black WWI Veterans in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Civic Center Lobby.


    On July 9th, 2022, the Canadian Minister of National Defence will offer a formal apology to relatives and descendants of members of the Battalion for the racism and discrimination endured by members before, during, and after their service to Canada. To watch the event live, visit: www.no2-cef.ca


    The No. 2 Construction Battalion was formed in WWI and served from 1916-1920. It was the largest Black military unit in Canadian history. Although the headquarters for the Battalion were in Nova Scotia, there was a detachment that operated in Windsor and many local Black men were a part of the Battalion.


    As they tried tA picture of Arthur Alexander is hung above a letter he wrote to the Minister of Militia and Defence in 1914 asking why Black men were not able to enrol in the Canadian militia. A letter in response from the Ministry's office stated that the selection of Officers is entirely in the hands of Commanding Officers.Arthur Alexander (pictured) wrote a letter to the Minister of Militia & Defence in 1914 to ask why Black men were not able to enlist in the Canadian militia.o volunteer for the Canadian militia, many Black men were turned away due to prevailing anti-Black racism. Despite the racism they experienced, the men continued to advocate for their participation in War efforts.


    In 1916, the Department of Defence and Militia established a segregated, Black labour Battalion that supported construction and labour needs related to the War. In 1917, the Battalion sailed to England with 595 men, most of whom went on to build and maintain water systems, roads, and railroads and take part in logging for lumber used in trenches, observation posts, bridges, walkways, and even aircrafts.


    Despite the anti-Black racism they experienced, the men of the No. 2 Construction Battalion made significant contributions to the War effort. But, these efforts went unrecognized for a long time.


    In 1992, the Government of Canada recognized the formation of the No. 2 Construction Battalion as a national historic event and raised a granite monument commemorating the Battalion in Nova Scotia. Canada post issued a commemorative stamp depicting the Battalion in 2016. This weekend, the Ministry of Defence will issue a formal apology to relatives and descendants of members of the No. 2 Battalion for the racism and discrimination they endured.



    Stop in at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Civic Center and see the picture of the No. 2 Battalion and the names of Black WWI Veterans from Chatham-Kent!


    For more information and local Black History, visit the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, or Ontario Heritage Trust's Historic Site dedicated to Josiah Henson (new name coming soon!).


Page last updated: 29 Apr 2025, 12:00 PM