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.

DEIJ Calendar

Click on the image below to view an electronic calendar of important days in May 2024. Click on the text to open a link to learn more.

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

Use this calendar to learn about days that are important to communities in Chatham-Kent.

Outside of the days listed on the calendar, people may have regular prayer or reflection practices. People may fast in various ways and engage in more intense reflection or prayer to commemorate days or periods of time.

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

Please contact us if there are errors or days missing.



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.

DEIJ Calendar

Click on the image below to view an electronic calendar of important days in May 2024. Click on the text to open a link to learn more.

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

Use this calendar to learn about days that are important to communities in Chatham-Kent.

Outside of the days listed on the calendar, people may have regular prayer or reflection practices. People may fast in various ways and engage in more intense reflection or prayer to commemorate days or periods of time.

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

Please contact us if there are errors or days missing.



  • Bystander Intervention Training: Practical Anti-Racism Tools

    Here's a chance to learn practical ways to respond to racist incidents as well as build de-escalation and active listening skills.

    This two-part training is for individuals of all ages who want to move beyond silence and be active upstanders when they see instances of racism or discrimination.

    The training includes Bystander 1 and 2, which must be taken consecutively to complete the core training.

    Register for Bystander 1 on Thursday, December 1, 6-8:30pm and learn:

    • how to recognize and respond to racist incidents
    • the history and practices of Bystander Intervention
    • strategies to interrupt racism in different contexts and spaces

    Participants who register and attend our Bystander 1 session will also be given access to Bystander 2 at no additional cost: Bystander 1 costs $15.

    Bystander 2, Monday, December 5, 6-8:30pm teaches:

    • how to navigate tough conversations about racism and scenario-based training
    • how to de-escalate situations and use active listening skills

    Secure your spot in this training on Eventbrite | CA's Bystander Intervention Training: Practical Anti-Racism Tools.

  • Have Your Say: When should fireworks be allowed in Chatham-Kent?

    Image of fireworks with the text fireworks by-law


    The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is reviewing its fireworks bylaw and looking for community perspectives through a survey. Part of the review is to ensure that the bylaw reflects the diversity of holidays celebrated in our community. Currently, fireworks can legally be set off in Chatham-Kent on the following days:

    • Victoria Day and the three days before and after it
    • Canada Day and the three days before and after it
    • New Year's Day and New Year's Eve
    • Diwali
    • Days proclaimed by Municipal Council as suitable for celebration with fireworks.


    Share your perspectives in a short survey on Let's Talk Chatham-Kent before 4PM on December 16th.


  • Transgender Day of Remembrance Event and CK Local Immigration Partnership Newsletter

    We are sharing a few local updates related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.


    Transgender Day of Remembrance Event

    4 candles are lit with flames and bavkground that have blue, pink, and white, colours in the trans flag.

    CK Pride is hosting an event on Sunday, November 20th, 5PM at the Chatham Civic Centre to honour the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

    Learn more about the event on the CK Pride Facebook page.

    Learn more about Transgender Day of Remembrance on the Queer Events website.


    CK Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Newsletter

    Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership logo.

    This newsletter has a lot of information about local events and resources related to immigration in Chatham-Kent.

    Find the latest edition of the CK LIP newsletter.

    Subscribe to the CK LIP newsletter on the CK LIP website.


    Learn More

    Learn about Municipal initiatives to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and justice by visiting the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice website.

  • CK Tourism Looking for Community Models - Many Faces of Tourism DEI Photo Project December 2022

    CK Tourism is looking for community models that would be willing to participate in a Many Faces of Tourism Photo Shoot on Sat. Dec. 10th.

    For our last shoot of 2022, we are looking for multi-generational families willing to come out and have some fun in front of the camera as we capture some of CK’s winter and holiday activities and events.

    No previous modelling experience is required! We are looking for models that haven’t participated in past photo shoots so that we can capture more of the Many Faces of CK 😊

    We ask that families be available for at least one shoot location (1.5 hrs) on Sat. Dec. 10th, and they will be compensated for their time at the end of their shoot.

    Locations may be spread out throughout CK and we will make every effort to accommodate the needs and schedules of our community models.

    Please reach out to your networks to see if there might be someone interested in having some fun with VisitCK.

    You can connect with Andrea McCulligh for questions or if you would like see examples of what has been captured with this project over the past year.

    Contact information:

    Andrea McCulligh, Tourism Development Coordinator | Community Development

    Phone number: 226-312-2025 x 4221

    Email: andream@chatham-kent.ca


  • Treaties Recognition Week

    November 6th to November 12th is Treaties Recognition Week!

    We encourage everyone to take some time this week to learn about Treaties. Further understand their importance, what they mean, and more from the Treaties Recognition Week Poster attached in this post.

    A beige colored poster, with three columns resembling a brochure format. In the first column it reads "Treaties Recognition Week: November 6th-12th, 2022". In the second column it reads at the top, In 2016, Ontario became the first province in Canada to declare the first week of November as Treaties Recognition Week. We encourage you to review at least one resource below this week to learn about the importance of Treaties. In the paragraph below it reads, What are treaties? Treaties are nation-to-nation agreements. In the context of the lands now known as Canada, Treaties are between the Government of Canada (also known as the Crown) and Indigenous Peoples. In the last paragraph it reads, Why is treaties recognition week important? By learning more about our collective Treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. Treaties Recognition Week also represents one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. This week was launched in 2016 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. In the third and final coloumn, there are resources to learn more about treaties and agreements, McKee Purchase Treaty, The Grandfather of all Treaties, Treaties in Ontario, Indigenous Voices on Treaties, and Anishinabek Nation Resources. The final column reads, Treaties Beyond Text as the title. In the body, it writes, Why is treaties recognition week important? By learning more about our collective Treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. Treaties Recognition Week also represents one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. This week was launched in 2016 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

    The resources listed in the infographic can be found below:

    Treaties and Agreements on The Government of Canada Website

    Mckee Purchase Treaty on The Canadian Encyclopedia

    The Grandfather of all Treaties on Briar Patch

    Treaties in Ontario from Ontario's Ministry of Indigenous Affairs

    Indigenous Voices on Treaties from Ontario's Ministry of Indigenous Affairs

    Anishinabek Nation Resources from Anishinabek Nation

    Learn more about local Indigenous Cultures from the CK Road To Understanding

    Please reach out to Amrit Khaira or Rebecca Haskell-Thomas at DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or 226.312.2023 x 3610 if you have any questions or comments.

    Thank you,

    The DEIJ Team

  • Test Your Knowledge- DEIJ Quiz for November Days of Observance


    Black and white QR Code that will lead to the Quiz platform for november days of observance

    The DEIJ team has created a monthly quiz to raise awareness as to what is going on this month. Test your knowledge on various religious holidays and days of observance taking place in November by participating in the DEIJ Quiz or scanning the QR Code above.

    Let us know how you did in the comments and share this quiz with others!

  • Open House Event at Chatham Islamic Centre

    As part of Islamic Heritage Month celebrations, Chatham Islamic Centre (CIC) is hosting an open house. Chatham-Kent public are invited to tour the center and Mosque and ask any questions they may have, and enjoy light refreshments provided by CIC.

    The open house will take place on October 22nd, 22 (Saturday) from 11:00am-2:00pm at 310 McNaughton Avenue West, Chatham.

    We hope to see you there!

  • CK Launching 2023 Online Budget Survey

    Chatham-Kent officials have launched this year’s online survey designed to gather public input on where and how their property tax dollars are spent.

    At Let's Talk Chatham-Kent(External link) residents can have their say on the 2023 Chatham-Kent budget through a survey that allows them to express their thoughts on what services they deem important and whether spending should be increased or decreased.

    The survey is comprised of a number of wide-ranging questions. Throughout the survey, participants are asked to provide as much information as they like.

    This year’s budget process is entitled Budget 2023: Inspiring Chatham-Kent.

    The survey concludes with opportunity for residents to provide general comments. The survey results and public comments will be used by administration in the development of the budget and will be provided to Chatham-Kent Council prior to deliberations.

    Steve Brown, Chatham-Kent’s Director of Budget & Performance Services, said the online survey gives residents the opportunity to provide input at their convenience.

    Brown said completing the survey doesn’t preclude residents from voicing their opinions later as well. “The more information we have and the earlier we have it, the better we can understand the needs of the community,” he said.

    The online survey will be open until October 31st.

    Citizens are also encouraged to bring budget concerns to their Councillors at any time through email or by phone.

    On Wednesday January 11, 2022, Council will host its Budget Committee Opening Night Meeting beginning at 6 pm.

    Community Consultation Meetings will be held as follows:

    Wednesday, January 18 at noon.

    Thursday, January 19 at 7 p.m.

    Details on how the public will access the meetings will be provided once the format is finalized.

    Budget Committee Deliberations will be held at 6 p.m. on January 25, 26 and 31 with contingency dates on February 1 and 2 if needed.

    For more information, contact:

    Steve Brown
    Director of Budget & Performance Services
    Municipality of Chatham-Kent
    519-360-1998 x 3100
    steven.brown@chatham-kent.ca

  • Local Boards and Committees of Council Call for Applications 2022 to 2026 Term

    The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is currently recruiting volunteer citizen appointments to various Local Boards and Committees of Council.

    The application can be completed online by visiting www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca. Paper copies can also be picked up and returned at any Municipal Centre.

    Applications must be completed by Friday, October 28, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

    The following Chatham-Kent Local Boards and Committees of Council are recruiting citizen members for the 2022 – 2026 term:

    • Accessibility Advisory Committee
    • Age Friendly Committee
    • Blenheim Landfill Liaison Committee
    • By-law Appeal & Property Standards Committee
    • Chatham-Kent Board of Health (indigenous representative only)
    • Chatham-Kent Municipal Museums Advisory Committee
    • Chatham-Kent Police Services Board
    • Chatham-Kent Public Library Board
    • Committee of Adjustment
    • Court of Revision for Local Improvements
    • Drainage Board
    • Infrastructure, Bridge, Culverts and Roads Innovation Committee
    • Municipal Heritage Committee
    • Ridge Landfill Liaison Committee

    As per the direction of Council, the CK Plan 2035 Committee and the Community Development Advisory Committee will not be recruiting members until after the new term of Council has set its strategic directions.

    Information about each of these committees can be found at www.chatham-kent.ca.

    For more information, contact:

    Meredith Cadotte, Council Coordinator
    Municipal Governance / Clerk’s Office
    Email: meredithc@chatham-kent.ca
    Phone: 360-1998 ext. 3805

  • DEIJ Quiz- October Days of Observance

    Test your knowledge!

    The DEIJ team has created a monthly quiz to raise awareness about some of the days of observance happening this month. Test your knowledge and learn about some of the important days in October or scan the QR Code below.

    Let us know how you did in the comments, and share this quiz with others!


Page last updated: 01 May 2024, 02:12 PM