Multicultural Calendar

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Celebrating Diversity & Inclusion through a Multicultural Calendar

An inclusive workplace includes everyone. Representation matters and in the Materiel Group, we are proud to be working with our partners from other departments to promote multicultural events each month.

Every month, our team works closely with Waheed Khan, Chair, Visible Minorities’ Network at Environment and Climate Change Canada to launch a multicultural celebrations calendar and a monthly article to highlight one cultural celebration that helps all of us learn about the multitude of multicultural events and awareness days celebrated across Canada. It’s not only about diversity but also about inclusion. When our people see their holidays, celebrations, and observations this fosters a greater sense of belonging and inclusion.

The Materiel Group is also proud to promote a monthly multicultural calendar prepared by HR-Civ that is downloadable to your Outlook calendar.

We commit to making diversity and inclusion a practice, not just policies, programs and headcounts.  Our success will be measured by the successes of those around us.

The Materiel Group Diversity and Inclusion team joins our friends across the Government of Canada in promoting inclusion and diversity, and striving to build a workforce that represents the present and evolving face of Canada. Building a diverse, equitable and inclusive public service is both an obligation and an opportunity we share.

We must advance this objective together, acting both individually and collectively, and recognizing that our progress relies on amplifying the voices of those within our organizations. In our collective roles as Diversity and Inclusion advisors, we will keep close to the voices of the people of Materiel Group. We are calling on you to do the same. When we know better, we can do better.

May 2024

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of May, 2024.

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, a time to highlight the pan-Asian diversity of cultures and peoples, and recognize the extraordinary contributions that communities of Asian descent in Canada have made and continue to make to the growth and prosperity of Canada.

Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated across Canada since the 1990s. In 2002, May was officially declared as Asian Heritage Month by the Government of Canada, following the adoption of the motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy.

Asian Canadians are a diverse group of people who trace their ancestry from more than 20 different countries with their own unique cultural fabric. They are considered among the “Visible Minorities” and may be further classified as East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and West Asian Canadians. According to the 2021 Census, Asian Canadians constitute 19.3% of the Canadian population, compared with 17.69% reported in the 2016 Census.

Asian Heritage Month provides all Canadians the opportunity to honour and celebrate the invaluable contributions that Canadians of Asian descent have made to our country since the first group of Asians from China arrived to settle in Canada in 1788. Asian Canadians have not only physically helped to build Canada, but also culturally enriched its diversity, which has become an important characteristic of Canada. They have helped make our country what it is today in every aspect of society – from the arts and science to sport, business and government.

The theme for Asian Heritage Month 2024 is “Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future: Amplifying Asian Canadian Legacy”. This theme celebrates the rich heritage and contributions of people of Asian origin in Canada while also looking forward to the future with optimism and hopefulness. We are acknowledging the voices, stories, and achievements of people of Asian origin in Canada and recognizing their contributions to all aspects of our society, including the arts, sports and social justice.

Asian Canadians have also experienced discrimination historically, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated and fueled race-based stigma, discrimination and violence. We all have an important role to play in denouncing and preventing racism and discrimination, whether online, on our streets, or in our workplaces. Please be assured that support is available, and do not hesitate to reach out to the Visible Minorities’ Network, the Employee Assistance Program or your union representative.

Learn more about the rich pan-Asian history of cultures and peoples, and celebrate the contributions of communities of Asian descent in Canada by visiting the Government of Canada’s official website.

Diversity represents one of Canada’s greatest strengths, and we strive to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and participate in Canada’s civic life. This month, let us celebrate the incredible diversity that is our strength.

April 2024

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of April, 2024.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar.

In the context of this weekend, we are pleased to highlight the Christian celebration of Easter, which in 2024 is observed on Sunday, March 31 in Western Christianity or May 5 in Eastern Christianity. The precise date varies each year depending on the lunisolar calendar. Christians celebrate Good Friday and Easter in commemoration of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross by the Romans in Jerusalem c. 30 AD. According to the Bible, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day following his burial, establishing his supremacy over death and ability to save those who choose to repent from their sins and believe in him.

Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and prayer precedes Easter. While Good Friday is a somber recognition of Christ’s suffering for their sinfulness, Easter is a joyous celebration for Christians around the world.  They participate in church services and exchanges of Paschal greetings (“Christ is risen!”). In some traditions, the Easter lily, a symbol of resurrection, is used to decorate churches. In other traditions, Easter eggs are decorated and broken in commemoration of the empty tomb. In more recent times, various commercial non-religious practices have become associated with Easter, including Easter parades, the consumption of chocolate eggs, egg-hunting, and the Easter Bunny.

Traditional Easter foods vary by region and culture. In many countries, lamb dishes are served, mirroring the Jewish Passover. Hot cross buns, a spiced sweet bun marked with a cross on the top is eaten in many Commonwealth countries. Various stews, pies, eggs, pastries, and breads are favorites in Greek, Italian, Russian, Serbian and Ukrainian traditions.

On March 31 and May 5 this year, you can wish your Christian colleagues and friends, Happy Easter!

March 2024

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of March, 2024.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight an important date, event, festival or celebration from the calendar.

This month, we highlight Nowruz which originated in ancient Persia and Zoroastrian religion as a New Year festival. Now, it is celebrated on March 21 by people living in Iran, Afghanistan, several Central Asian States and diaspora living in other countries including Canada.

Nowruz is an ancient festival that has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. It marks the first day of spring, the renewal of nature, and promotes values of peace and solidarity. The term Nowruz is a Persian compound word, consisting of the words “now” or “nau” (new) and ruz (day). In the book Nowruznama (Book of the New Year, which is attributed to Omar Khayyam, a well-known eleventh century Persian poet and mathematician), a vivid description of the celebration in the courts of the kings of Iran is provided.

Celebrations vary by region and the traditions of each culture. Nowruz is mostly celebrated in regions with cultural links to ancient Persia where people sit around a table with seven pieces of decoration and food that symbolize a Zoroastrian virtue. The items include: apples representing beauty, garlic representing good health, vinegar representing patience, sweet pudding representing fertility, green sprouts representing rebirth, and coins representing prosperity. Some families also add a mirror and candle for reflection into the future, a live fish in water as a symbol for the new life, and a bouquet of hyacinths representing spring. While it is also a religious festival for Zoroastrian people, who include a picture of Prophet Zarathustra, the followers of other faiths celebrate it as a cultural and secular festival.

On March 21, we invite you to wish your colleagues of Persian descent a “Happy Nowruz!”, “Nowruz Pirouz” or in Persian, “Saal-e-no mobaarak!”

February 2024

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of February, 2024.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar. This month, we are pleased to highlight Black History Month.

In 1978, the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) was established. Its founders, including Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks, presented a petition to the City of Toronto to have February formally proclaimed as Black History Month. In 1979, the first-ever Canadian proclamation was issued by Toronto.

In 1993, the OBHS successfully filed a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month. Following that success, Rosemary Sadlier, president of the OBHS, introduced the idea of having Black History Month recognized across Canada to the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by Dr. Augustine. The House of Commons carried the motion unanimously.

In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008. The adoption of this motion completed Canada’s parliamentary position on Black History Month.

Black Canadians and their communities have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator, and interpreter, whose presence in Canada dates back to the early 1600s. Few people in Canada are aware of the fact that African people were once enslaved in the territory that is now known as Canada, or of how those who fought enslavement helped to lay the foundation of Canada’s diverse and inclusive society.

Black History Month is a time to learn more about these Canadian stories and the many other important contributions that Black Canadians and their communities have made to the history and continued growth of this country. Black Canadians continue to face a disproportionate amount of challenges, requiring all Canadians to work together to eliminate systemic racism and discrimination from our society.

November 2023

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of November, 2023. Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month, we highlight one important date, event, festival or celebration from the calendar. This month, we are pleased to highlight Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, which fall on the same day, November 12.

Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in autumn in the northern hemisphere, coinciding with spring in the southern hemisphere. One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, it spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Its celebration includes millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries where it is observed.

On Diwali night, people dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up lamps and candles (diyas) inside and outside their home, participate in family prayers (puja) typically to Lakshmi—the goddess of fertility and prosperity. After prayers, fireworks follow, then a family feast including sweets (mithai), and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends. Children receive gifts or money from their elders. The period leading up to Diwali also marks a major shopping period in countries where it is celebrated by large number of people.

On the same day, in a similar manner, the followers of Sikh faith also celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas to commemorate the return of their spiritual leader, the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind to Amritsar on the day of Diwali in 1619. According to tradition, the Guru agreed to leave the Gwalior prison after the Emperor of India, Nur-ud-din Muhammad Salim Jahangir accepted his demand to free 52 Hindu princes from the prison. Guru is an honorific term, used for a spiritual teacher or guide.

On November 12, you can wish your Hindu and Sikh colleagues and friends Happy Diwali and Happy Bandi Chhor Divas, respectively.

It is important to note that last year, Parliament adopted a motion introduced by Member of Parliament Chandra Arya to declare November as Hindu Heritage Month. The month recognizes the contributions that Hindu Canadians have made to the socio-economic development of Canada, their services to Canadian society, the richness of Hindu heritage, and their vast contribution to the world of arts and science.

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2023 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

October 2023

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of October, 2023.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar.

This month, we are pleased to highlight Canadian Islamic History Month.

Canadian Islamic History Month recognizes the significant role that Muslim communities play in Canadian society and highlights their extraordinary contributions. Canadians have an opportunity this month to learn more about the history of Islam in Canada and recognize the many achievements of Muslim Canadians in the arts, sports, academics, sciences, literature, and their communities.

Four years after Canada's founding in 1867, the 1871 Canadian Census recorded 13 European Muslims among the population. The first Muslim organization in Canada was registered by immigrants from Lebanon living in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1934. The first Canadian mosque was constructed in Edmonton in 1938, when there were approximately 700 European Muslims in the country. The building is now part of the museum at Fort Edmonton Park.

The years after World War II saw a small increase in the Muslim population. However, Muslims were still a distinct minority. It was only after the removal of European immigration preferences in the late 1960s and early 1970s that Muslims began to arrive in significant numbers. Statistics Canada reported that in 2021, 4.9% Canadians were Muslim.

Canadian Islamic History Month is also a time to acknowledge the ongoing challenges and barriers that Muslim Canadians face. Muslim communities across Canada have endured the horrific results of racism and hate directed against Muslim Canadians, including the fatal attacks on innocent Muslims in Quebec City and Hamilton. They are still waiting for justice.

Together, we must combat all forms of discrimination, Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence directed at Muslim communities across the country. This month is a time to continue working toward a compassionate, inclusive and safer Canada for everyone.

Happy Canadian Islamic History Month!

Please note: October is also Latin American Heritage Month, Women's History Month, and Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2023 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

September 2023

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of September 2023. Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival or celebration from the calendar.

This month, we are pleased to highlight Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash, celebrated and Eritreans on September 12.

The Ethiopian calendar is based on the Julian calendar. Their year consists of 12 months of 30 days each, and a 13th month of five or six timekeeping days. Due to the use of the Julian calendar, the Ethiopian calendar is currently seven years and eight months behind the Gregorian one, used in most areas of the world. That is why the new Ethiopian year is 2016.

Enkutatash marks the end of the rainy season, when the countryside is blooming with wild flowers in celebration of the impending harvest. Enkutatash means the “gift of jewels,” as the celebration is said to refer to the Queen of Sheba returning from her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem in 980 BC. According to legend, upon the Queen's arrival back in Ethiopia, her chiefs welcomed her by filling her treasury with enku (jewels).

Today, Enkutatash is both a religious holiday and a celebration. To mark the advent of the New Year, events include three days of prayer, psalms and hymns, and processions of colourful dancing and singing where citizens dress in traditional costumes. Within households, families may gather to share a traditional meal of injera (flat bread) and wat (stew). Later in the day, children gather daisies and present friends or family with a bouquet, singing New Year’s songs. The celebration is also recognized by exchanging formal New Year greetings and cards – in lieu of the traditional bouquet of flowers.

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2023 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

August 2023

On March 24, 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to designate August 1 as Emancipation Day in Canada. It marks August 1, 1834, when The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 came into force across almost all of the British Empire, with some exceptions.

Emancipation Day celebrates the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada. It is a day to reflect, educate and engage in the ongoing fight against anti-Black racism and discrimination, which has roots in slavery.

The Portuguese, in the 16th century, were the first to transport slaves from West Africa across the Atlantic. In 1526, they completed the first transatlantic slave voyage to Brazil, and other Europeans soon followed. Ship owners regarded the slaves as cargo to be transported to the Americas as quickly and cheaply as possible, and sold to work on coffee, tobacco, cocoa, sugar, and cotton plantations, gold and silver mines, rice fields, the construction industry, cutting timber for ships, as skilled labour, and as domestic servants.

By the late 18th century, the anti-slavery movement to abolish the slave trade throughout the British Empire had begun, with the “Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade” established in 1787. The Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe, tabled the Act Against Slavery in 1793. Passed by the local Legislative Assembly, it was the first legislation to outlaw the slave trade in a part of the British Empire.

During the Christmas holiday of 1831, a large-scale slave revolt, known as the Baptist War, broke out in Jamaica. It was organised originally as a peaceful strike by the Baptist minister Samuel Sharpe. The rebellion was suppressed by the militia of the Jamaican plantocracy and the British garrison. Because of significant loss of property and life in the 1831 rebellion, the British Parliament held two inquiries. The results of these inquiries contributed greatly to the abolition of slavery with the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.

In practical terms, only slaves below the age of six were freed in the colonies. Former slaves over the age of six were redesignated as "apprentices", and their servitude was abolished in two stages: the first set of apprenticeships came to an end on 1 August 1838, while the final apprenticeships were scheduled to cease on 1 August 1840.

The Act provided for payments to slave-owners. The British government raised £20 million to pay out for the loss of the slaves as business assets to the registered owners of the freed slaves. In 1833, £20 million amounted to 40% of the Treasury's annual income or approximately 5% of British GDP at the time.

The Act specifically excluded "the Territories in the Possession of the East India Company, or to the Island of Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka), or to the Island of Saint Helena." These exceptions were eliminated by the Indian Slavery Act, 1843 which prohibited Company employees from owning, or dealing in slaves, along with granting limited protection under the law, that included the ability for a slave to own, transfer or inherit property.

In his book Canada's Forgotten Slaves: Two Hundred Years of Bondage, the Quebec historian Marcel Trudel estimated that there were approximately 4,200 enslaved people in the area of Canada known as Nouvelle France, and later in Upper and Lower Canada, between 1671 and 1831. Initially, approximately two-thirds of these enslaved people were Indigenous and one-third were of African descent.

After British colonial settlers established Upper Canada, the number of enslaved Africans and their descendants increased significantly. It is estimated that 3,000 enslaved men, women and children of African descent were brought into British North America and eventually outnumbered enslaved Indigenous Peoples. Many enslaved Black people resisted slavery by fleeing Upper Canada to a territory known as the Northwest Territory, which included Michigan and Ohio, as well as to Vermont and New York, which had banned slavery in the late 18th century.

Emancipation Day is an opportunity to learn about the history of slavery and commit to stand up together against racial prejudice and intolerant attitudes in our workplaces, schools, society, and online. Be a human rights champion! Fight racism and hate!! Stand up for Human Rights!!!

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2023 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

July 2023

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of July 2023.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage the exploration of our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar.

July 18 marks Nelson Mandela’s birthday. Mandela is known for his long but successful struggle to end the apartheid rule in South Africa and initiating racial reconciliation between the white minority rulers and the black majority of the country.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in a small village, Mvezo in South Africa. His patrilineal great-grandfather, Ngubengcuka, was the ruler of the Thembu Kingdom in the Transkeian Territories of South Africa's modern Eastern Cape Province. One of Ngubengcuka's sons, named Mandela, was Nelson's grandfather and the source of his surname. He grew up in the village of Qunu, where he tended herds as a cattle-boy.

Although both of his parents were illiterate, they sent him to the local Methodist school, where his teacher gave him the English name, Nelson. After obtaining his law degree and practicing law in Johannesburg, he became involved in anti-colonial and African nationalist politics, joining the African National Congress (ANC) in 1943 and co-founding its Youth League in 1944.

After the National Party's white-only government established apartheid, a system of racial segregation that privileged whites, Mandela and the ANC committed themselves to its overthrow. He was repeatedly arrested for seditious activities and was unsuccessfully prosecuted in the 1956 Treason Trial. He was arrested and imprisoned in 1962, and, following the Rivonia Trial, was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the state. Mandela served 27 years in prison, split between Robben Island, Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison.

Amid growing domestic and international pressure and fears of racial civil war, President F. W. de Klerk released him in 1990. Mandela and de Klerk led efforts to negotiate an end to apartheid, which resulted in the 1994 multiracial general election in which Mandela led the ANC to victory and became the President of South Africa.

Leading a broad coalition government which promulgated a new constitution, Mandela emphasised reconciliation between the country's racial groups and created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate past human rights abuses. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, split with F. W. de Klerk, for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa.

Mandela passed away on December 5, 2013 as a hero for South Africa, for the Black people of Africa and all human beings who believe in the equality of people regardless of their ethnic and religious background, gender and any other identities.

He has many quotes associated with him, but the following stands out for us today because it sums up his own life and acts as a roadmap for those of us committed to the equality of all human beings, regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds, gender and any other identities: “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up!”

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2023 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

June 2023

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of June, 2023.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival or celebration from the calendar. This month, we are pleased to highlight Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, 1444 Hijri, the Islamic lunar month, corresponding to June 28, 2023, depending on the sighting of the moon.

Eid al-Adha is one of the two annual celebrations for Muslims (the other one is Eid al-Fitre). It is also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice” or the “Festival of Sacrifice” as it commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah (God). It also coincides with the culmination of Hajj, the annual holy pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

One of the main trials of Prophet Ibrahim's life was to obey the command of God to sacrifice his dearest possession, his son. As ordered, Prophet Ibrahim prepared to submit to the will of God. Satan (Shaitan) tempted Prophet Ibrahim by trying to dissuade him from carrying out God's commandment. Prophet Ibrahim successfully resisted the temptations and drove Satan away by throwing stones at him. In commemoration of his rejection of Satan, pilgrims follow the tradition by throwing pebbles at symbolic pillars during Hajj rites. God saved Prophet Ibrahim’s son from harm and instead an animal was sacrificed.

To commemorate this event, many Muslims sacrifice an animal, such as a goat or sheep. Larger animals such as cow or camel can also be sacrificed, and the cost of each large animal can be shared by up to seven individuals. The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three equal portions: One-third is donated to the poor so that they can also celebrate the festival; one-third is gifted to neighbours, friends and relatives and one-third is kept at the household to cook for the celebration. While a number of Muslims sacrifice animals at approved slaughterhouses in Canada, many others choose to donate funds to charities that carry out animal sacrifice in regions of the world where malnourishment and food shortages are common and local populations need fresh meat. Many Muslims also simply donate an equivalent amount of money to local foodbanks and local and international charities.

Eid al-Adha is also a time for forgiveness and compassion, honoring the supreme sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim and committing to share their wealth with those less fortunate. Muslims often self-reflect during this holy day and celebrate their gratefulness to Allah. Muslims dress in their best clothes, enjoy traditional sweets and meat dishes, visit family and friends, give gifts and money to children and exchange greetings.

On June 28, you can wish “Eid Mubarak” to your Muslim friends and colleagues.

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2023 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

May 2023

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of May, 2023.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival or celebration from the calendar. This month, we are pleased to highlight the Asian Heritage Month.

In 2002, the Government of Canada declared the month of May as Asian Heritage Month by following the adoption of the motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy. During this month, we highlight the pan-Asian diversity of cultures and peoples, and recognize the extraordinary contributions that communities of Asian descent in Canada have made, and continue to make, to the growth and prosperity of Canada.

Asian Canadians are a diverse group of people who trace their ancestry from more than 40 different Asian countries, each with their own unique cultural fabric. They are considered among the “Visible Minorities” and are further classified as East Asian Canadians, South Asian Canadians, Southeast Asian Canadians, and West Asian Canadians by Statistics Canada for tracking purposes. According to the 2021 Census, Asian Canadians constitute almost 20% of the Canadian population.

Asian Heritage Month provides all Canadians the opportunity to honour and celebrate the invaluable contributions that Canadians of Asian descent have made to our country since the first group of Asians arrived from China to settle in Canada in 1788. Asian Canadians have not only physically helped to build Canada, but also culturally enriched its diversity, which has become an important characteristic of Canada. They have helped make our country what it is today – from the arts and sciences to sport, business and government. We invite you to learn more about Canadians of Asian descent at Significant events in history of Canadians of Asian heritage

Asian Canadians have also experienced discrimination historically, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated and fueled race-based stigma, discrimination and violence. We all have an important role to play in denouncing and preventing racism and discrimination, whether online, on our streets, or in our workplaces. Please be assured that support is available, and do not hesitate to reach out to the Visible Minorities’ Network, the Employee Assistance Program, the Respect Bureau or your union representative.  

Diversity represents one of Canada’s greatest strengths, and we strive to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to reach their full potential and participate in Canada’s civic life. This month, let us celebrate the incredible diversity of Canada that is our strength.

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2023 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

April 2023

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of April 2023.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival or celebration from the calendar. This month, we are pleased to highlight the Sikh Heritage Month.

On April 30, 2019, in recognition of the important contributions that Sikh Canadians have made to Canada’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric, Parliament proclaimed April as the Sikh Heritage Month.  April was specifically chosen given its importance for Sikhs, who celebrate Vaisakhi, also pronounced Baisakhi, on April 14, an annual spring harvest festival.

Canada is home to nearly 800,000 Sikh Canadians and account for 2.1% of Canada's population, forming the country's fourth-largest and fastest-growing religious group, and making it one of the largest Sikh diasporas in the world. Since the arrival of the first Sikh immigrants in the late 19th century, members of this community have contributed to Canada through their achievements in all areas of society and have helped shape the diversity found within it.

Sikhism is a young religion. Guru Nanak (1469–1539), who was born in the village of Rāi Bhōi dī Talwandī, (now called Nankana Sahib, located in Pakistan) founded Sikhism in 1526. Sikhism developed from the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak, and 9 gurus who succeeded him. The title “Guru” is a term used for a reverential teacher, mentor or spiritual guide.

The tenth guru, Gobind Singh (1666–1708), named the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib as his successor, bringing to a close the line of human gurus and establishing the scripture as the 11th and last eternally living guru, a religious spiritual or life guide for Sikhs.

Sikhs speak Punjabi language and maintain a strong bond with Punjabi culture. Sikhism’s core principles include equality, generosity, openness, and compassion. Sikh Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect on the pivotal role that Sikh communities have played, and continue to play, in building a stronger and consciously more inclusive Canada.

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2023 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

March 2023

This month, we highlight Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, when it is believed that the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad took place. Muslims across the world observe a month of fasting during daylight hours. They have a meal before dawn called “suhur” or “sehri” and break their fast after sunset with a meal called “iftaar.”

Ramadan is expected to start on March 23 and will continue until April 20, 2023. As the Islamic Hijri calendar is based on the lunar calendar, Ramadan is announced when the crescent is sighted on the eve of Ramadan. Hijri calendar consists of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days.

“Iftaar” is often taken as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Many Muslims believe that providing “iftaar” to the needy is very rewarding as charity. Muslims also take turns to invite family and friends and host “iftaar” at their homes or at restaurants.

The Arabic word for fasting is “sawm” which means “to refrain”. In addition to abstaining from food and drink, Muslims are called upon to exercise self-discipline and renew their spiritual commitment through prayer, acts of compassion and charity. Abstention reminds them about those less fortunate and encourages them to demonstrate compassion and share their wealth. Many Muslims choose this month to make charitable donations.

There are temporary and permanent exemptions from fasting based on physical or mental state and circumstances, such as travel and other hardships. Those who cannot fast during Ramadan are required to fast at a later date and those who are exempt may give to charity the equivalent to feeding a person in need for the missing days of fasting.

In several Muslim majority countries, working hours are shortened during Ramadan, and lunch time and after-office hours meetings are avoided. While most Muslims in Canada continue to work during Ramadan, they may need to skip taking coffee or tea and lunch breaks, and adjust their working hours. In general, it is more convenient for Muslims to work from home during the month of Ramadan, where they can work with more flexibility.

If you have Muslim colleagues, you can wish them “Ramadan Kareem” or “Ramadan Mubarak” and demonstrate sensitivity to their needs if they are fasting.

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2023 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

February 2023

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of February 2023.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar. This month, we are pleased to highlight Black History Month.

In 1978, the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) was established. The founders, including Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks, petitioned to the City of Toronto to have February formally proclaimed as Black History Month. In 1979, the first-ever Canadian proclamation was issued by Toronto.

In 1993, the OBHS successfully filed a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month. Following that success, Rosemary Sadlier, president of the OBHS, proposed that Black History Month be recognized across Canada to the Honourable Jean Augustine, who was the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by Dr. Augustine. The House of Commons carried the motion unanimously.

In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced a motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008. The adoption of this motion completed Canada’s parliamentary position on Black History Month.

Black Canadians and their communities have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa. Da Costa was a navigator and interpreter whose presence in Canada dates to the early 1600s. It is important to recognize that Black people were once enslaved in Canada. Those who fought enslavement also helped lay the foundation of Canada’s diverse and inclusive society. Black History Month is a time to learn more about these Canadian stories and the many other important contributions that Black Canadians have made throughout history.

Today, Black Canadians continue to face a disproportionate number of challenges. We must all work together to eliminate systemic racism and discrimination from our society.

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2023 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

January 2023

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of January, 2023. Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar. This month, we are pleased to feature Yennayer.

Yennayer is celebrated by the Berber (Amazigh) people, an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa, primarily inhabiting the Maghreb. The word Yennayer means ‘first month’. It is a compound Berber word of ‘Yenn’ which means one or first and ‘Ayur’ which means month. The first day of the Amazigh year is celebrated on the 12th of January each year, according to the Gregorian calendar and marks the beginning of the crop year. The Amazigh follows the Julian calendar, meaning that on January 12, the Amazigh community will be welcoming the year….2973!

Yennayer symbolizes longevity and the Berbers believe that people who celebrate the New Year will enjoy a fruitful and prosperous year. Celebrations vary for this event, but most common is preparing and serving various celebratory dishes, including a traditional stew known as "ourkimen," couscous, and mint tea. The Amazigh feast is linked to agriculture and meal rites are performed in a symbolic manner that aim to eliminate famine, and to welcome the positive forces.

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2023 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

December 2022

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of December, 2022.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar.

This month, we are pleased to feature Las Posadas celebrated from December 16 to 24.

Las Posadas (The Inns) is primarily a religious holiday, a novenario which is 9 days of religious observance. It is  mainly celebrated in Latin America, including Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, and by Hispanic diaspora living in Canada and the United States.

As part of the celebration, Christmas in Mexico includes traditional fiestas called Mexican Las Posadas (inns) held for family, friends, and neighbors. A posada is the reenactment of the pilgrimage to Bethlehem by Mary and Joseph in search of a room. Mexican families customarily hold a posada party one evening in each of their homes. During the reenactment, the posada hosts act as the innkeepers while their guests act as the pilgrims. Holding lighted candles, each group takes turns singing verses to each other, then the innkeeper hosts open the door and welcome the pilgrims inside.

Las Posada parties are not only marked by traditional rituals, but are also filled with cheerful socializing, authentic food, and fun for the entire family, including a special Christmas drink and a piñata filled with candy. The family hosting a party provides traditional Las Posadas food - an essential element to the festivities. Sweet and savory tamales, cinnamon-chocolate champurrado, and warm buñuelos are some of the many welcoming treats offered to guests. As the night draws to an end, aguinaldos (small bags filled with treats and candies) are distributed as parting gifts to the guests of the inn for their celebratory journey.

From December 16 to the 24, you can wish your colleagues of Latin descent a festive Las Posadas.

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2022 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

November 2022

This month, we are pleased to highlight Bunka no Hi.

On November 3, people of Japan and people of Japanese descent celebrate the annual Day of Culture or Bunka no Hi. It is an occasion to enjoy cultural events, pay respect to the traditional Japanese culture and to promote the notion of peace and freedom that is declared in the Japanese constitution.  

Parades and fairs also take place on this occasion. Academics, artists and actors contributing to the promotion of Japanese culture are recognized.

This celebration originally started to pay tribute to the emperor Meiji’s, who was born on November 3, 1852. It continued to be celebrated until the emperor passed away in 1912. After a 15 year hiatus, the festival was reintroduced in 1927 in honor of his memory.

Since 1936, the award ceremony for the prestigious Order of Culture has been held on this day. The Emperor of Japan gives the award to those who have significantly advanced science, the arts or culture. It is one of the highest honours bestowed by the Imperial Family. It was declared in 1948, as the Day of Culture.

Visit Multicultural Calendar 2022 for more multicultural and religious holidays, festivals and observances.

October 2022

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of October, 2022.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar.

This month, we are pleased to highlight Canadian Islamic History Month.

Canadian Islamic History Month recognizes the significant role that Muslim communities play in Canadian society and highlights their extraordinary contributions. Canadians have an opportunity this month to learn more about the history of Islam in Canada and recognize the many achievements of Muslim Canadians in the arts, sports, academics, sciences, literature, and their communities.

Four years after Canada's founding in 1867, the 1871 Canadian Census recorded 13 European Muslims among the population. The first Muslim organization in Canada was registered by immigrants from Lebanon living in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1934. The first Canadian mosque was constructed in Edmonton in 1938, when there were approximately 700 European Muslims in the country. The building is now part of the museum at Fort Edmonton Park.

The years after World War II saw a small increase in the Muslim population. However, Muslims were still a distinct minority. It was only after the removal of European immigration preferences in the late 1960s and early 1970s that Muslims began to arrive in significant numbers. Statistics Canada reported that in 2019, 3.7% Canadians were Muslim.

Canadian Islamic History Month is also a time to acknowledge the ongoing challenges and barriers that Muslim Canadians face. Muslim communities across Canada have endured the horrific results of racism and hate directed against Muslim Canadians, including the fatal attacks on innocent Muslims in Quebec City and Hamilton.

Together, we must combat all forms of discrimination, Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence directed at Muslim communities across the country. This month is a time to continue working toward a compassionate, inclusive and safer Canada for everyone.

Happy Canadian Islamic History Month!

September 2022

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of September, 2022.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month, we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar.

This month we are pleased to highlight the Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash and celebrated annually on September 11.  

The Ethiopian calendar is based on the Julian calendar. Their year consists of 12 months of 30 days each, and a 13th month of five or six timekeeping days. Due to the use of the Julian calendar, the Ethiopian calendar is currently seven years and eight months behind the Gregorian one used in most areas of the world. That is why the current Ethiopian calendar is in 2014, soon to be 2015.

Enkutatash marks the end of the rainy season, when the countryside is blooming with wild flowers in celebration of the impending harvest. Enkutatash means the “gift of jewels,” as the celebration is said to refer to the Queen of Sheba returning from her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem in 980 BC. According to the legend, upon the Queen's arrival back in Ethiopia, her chiefs welcomed her by filling her treasury with enku (jewels).

Today, Enkutatash is both a religious holiday and a celebration to mark the advent of the New Year. Events include three days of prayer, psalms and hymns, and processions of colourful dancing and singing where citizens dress in traditional costumes. Within households, families may gather to share a traditional meal of injera (flat bread) and wat (stew). Later in the day, children gather daisies and present friends or family with a bouquet, singing New Year’s songs. The celebration is also recognized by exchanging formal New Year greetings and cards – in lieu of the traditional bouquet of flowers.

On September 11, you can wish your colleagues and friends of Ethiopian origin a Happy New Year or Enkuan Aderesachihu!

August 2022

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of August, 2022.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar.

On March 24, 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to designate August 1 as Emancipation Day in Canada. On August 1 in 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 marked a pivotal moment towards the abolishment of slavery throughout the British Empire.

Together we recognize this historic victory for Black and Indigenous communities. Emancipation Day is a day to reflect, educate and engage in the ongoing fight against racism and discrimination, which has its roots in Canada’s history of slavery.

In the 16th century, Portugal was the first country to transport slaves from West Africa across the Atlantic when they brought slaves to Brazil in 1526. Other European nations followed shortly after. Europeans regarded Black people as cargo to transport to the Americas as quickly and cheaply as possible for free labour. The slaves were sold to work in plantations, mines, construction sites, the timber industry, and as skilled labourers and domestic servants.

In his book Canada's Forgotten Slaves: Two Hundred Years of Bondage, Quebec historian Marcel Trudel estimated that there were approximately 4,200 enslaved people in the Canadian colony called New France between 1671 and 1831. Initially, approximately two-thirds of these enslaved people were Indigenous and one-third were of African descent. At the time, it was cheaper to capture and enslave Indigenous people. They were forced to work in the colonies or sold elsewhere in exchange for other Indigenous slaves that were unfamiliar with their environment and far less likely to escape.

After British colonial settlers established Upper Canada, the number of enslaved Africans and their descendants increased significantly. It is estimated that 3,000 enslaved men, women and children of African descent were brought into British North America and eventually outnumbered enslaved Indigenous Peoples. Many enslaved Black people resisted slavery by fleeing Upper Canada to what was then called the Northwest Territory within the United States, which had banned slavery in 1787.

By the late 18th century, the movement to abolish the slave trade throughout the British Empire had begun. The Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe, sought to end slavery with the Act Against Slavery in 1793. Passed by the local Legislative Assembly, the act outlined the eventual end of the slave trade in that region. The Act Against Slavery prevented slaves from being imported and freed the future children of slaves when they reached the age of 25.

Come 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act only freed slaves below the ages of six in the colonies. Former slaves over the age of six were redesignated as "apprentices", and their servitude was abolished in two stages. The first set of apprenticeships came to an end on August 1, 1838, while the final apprenticeships were scheduled to end on August 1, 1840.

The Slavery Abolition Act excluded the territories in the possession of the East India Company, the Island of Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka), and the Island of Saint Helena. These exceptions were eliminated by the Indian Slavery Act of 1843 which prohibited East India Company employees from owning or dealing in slaves. It also granted limited protection under the law that included the ability for a slave to own, transfer or inherit property.

Through the Slavery Abolition Act, slave owners were compensated for the loss of their “property.” The British government raised £20 million to pay for the loss of the slaves as business assets to the registered owners of the freed slaves. In 1833, £20 million amounted to 40 percent of the Treasury's annual income, approximately 5 percent of the total British market value at the time. Freed slaves never received compensation or reparation.

Emancipation Day is an opportunity to learn about the history of slavery and commit to stand up together against racial prejudice and intolerant attitudes. It provides a space to examine the dark history of the slave trade and its effects that linger in Canada to this day

July 2022

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of July.

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage learning about our country’s rich diversity, each month we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar. This month, we are pleased to highlight Eid al-Adha, which will be celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, 1443 Hijri on the Islamic lunar month. Depending on the sighting of the moon, the corresponding date changes. This year, Eid al-Adha is on July 9, 2022.

Eid al-Adha is also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice” or the “Festival of Sacrifice” as it commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah. It also highlights the end of Hajj, the holy pilgrimage to Mecca.

One of Prophet Ibrahim's main trials was to obey the command from Allah to sacrifice his dearest son. As ordered, Prophet Ibrahim prepared to submit to the will of Allah. Simultaneously, Shaitan tempted Prophet Ibrahim by trying to dissuade him from carrying out Allah's commandment. Prophet Ibrahim successfully resisted the temptations and drove Shaitan away by throwing stones at him. Allah saved Prophet Ibrahim’s son from harm. In his place, an animal was sacrificed.

In commemoration of his rejection of Shaitan, pilgrims throw pebbles at symbolic pillars during Hajj rites. As well, many Muslims sacrifice an animal, such as a goat or sheep. Larger animals, such as cows or camels, can also be sacrificed. The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three equal portions: one-third is donated to the poor so they can also celebrate; one-third is gifted to neighbours, friends and relatives; and one-third is kept at the household to cook for the celebration. While a number of Muslims sacrifice animals at approved slaughterhouses in Canada, many choose to donate funds to charities that carry out animal sacrifice in regions of the world where malnourishment and food shortages are common, giving the local population a source of fresh meat. Many Muslims also donate an equivalent amount of money to local food banks and/or local and international charities.

Eid al-Adha is a time for forgiveness and compassion to honour the supreme sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim. Muslims often self-reflect during this holy day and celebrate their gratefulness to Allah. They dress in their best clothes, enjoy traditional sweets and meat dishes, visit family and friends, give gifts and money to children, share wealth with those less fortunate, and exchange greetings.

On July 9, you can wish “Eid Mubarak” to your Muslim friends and colleagues.

June 2022

We are pleased to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of June!

Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month, we highlight one important date, event, festival, or celebration from the calendar. This month, we highlight the Dragon Boat Festival, which was celebrated on June 3.

A dragon boat is a human-powered boat or paddle boat that is traditionally made of teak wood in various designs and sizes. The boats usually have brightly decorated designs, ranging anywhere from 40 to 100 feet in length, with the front end shaped like an open-mouthed dragon, and the back end with a scaly tail. The boat can be powered by up to 80 rowers, depending on its length.

A number of activities are undertaken during the celebrations, including dragon boat racing, eating rice dumplings (Zongzi), drinking realgar wine (Xionghuangjiu), wearing perfume pouches, tying five-colour silk threads, and hanging mugwort leaves and calamus. The ancient Chinese regarded these activities as an effective way of preventing disease and evil, while promoting good health and well-being.

The Dragon Boat Festival (also known as Duanwu Festival, Duānwǔ Jié, Double Fifth, Tuen Ng Jit) is a traditional holiday commemorating the famous Chinese poet and political figure, Qu Yuan (Chu Yuan), who died in 278 BCE. The festival occurs on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. In 2008, this festival was recognized as both a traditional and statutory public holiday in the People's Republic of China. In Canada, many cities host a Dragon Boat Festival to highlight Chinese culture.

Find out what your community is doing so you can take part in the festivities.

May 2022

This month, we highlight Eid-ul-Fitr (also known as Id al-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr), an important Islamic celebration for the Muslim community in Canada and around the world. This year, it is celebrated on Monday, May 2 or Tuesday, May 3 (depending on the sighting of the new moon).

Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar. It marks the end of the month-long fasting of Ramadan and the start of a feast lasting up to three days. Eid al-Fitr is a joyous occasion, but its underlying purpose is to praise God and give thanks to him. In addition, old wrongs are forgiven and money is given to the poor.

Eid-ul-Fitr involves waking up early and praying, either at an outdoor prayer ground or a mosque. People dress in their finest clothes and adorn their homes with lights and other decorations. Special foods are prepared and friends or relatives are invited to share the feast. Gifts and greeting cards are exchanged and children receive presents or cash. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all community and religious gatherings, and festivities are observed in accordance with the directions from local health authorities.

Although it is not a holiday in Canada, many Muslims take at least one day off to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr. If you have Muslim friends or colleagues, you can wish them “Eid Mubarak”, which is an Arabic term but commonly used by all Muslims, and conveys the meaning of ‘Happy Eid’ or ‘Blessed Eid’.

April 2022

This month, we are pleased to highlight Ramadan, the Qingming Festival, and Yom HaShoah.

On April 2 at sunset, Muslims will mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Ramadan honours the values at the heart of Islam, such as compassion, gratitude, generosity and service to others. During Ramadan, Muslims often gather with friends and family to pray and fast from sunrise to sunset, ending the daily fast with a shared meal known as iftar. Fasting during Ramadan is a way to purify the soul, refocus attention on God and practice self‑discipline and self‑sacrifice. Ramadan comes to an end on May 1 with a day of festivities called Eid ul Fitr.

The Qingming festival is an important traditional Chinese holiday dating back around 2,500 years. It is a special day for the remembrance of ancestors and is commonly known as the Festival for Tending Graves and Tomb Sweeping Day. On Qingming, many families visit the graves and tombs of their ancestors, tidying headstones, cleaning away grass and weeds, lighting incense and making burnt offerings of food and paper replicas of special items. Qingming falls in the third lunar month of the Chinese calendar. This year, Qingming will take place on April 5.

Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, is a time to remember the six million innocent Jews who were persecuted and murdered during the Holocaust by the Nazis and their collaborators. It is also a day to pay tribute to the bravery and strength of survivors, and of all those who risked their lives to save others. On Yom HaShoah, families and loved ones will gather to light a memorial candle and recite prayers in memory of the victims. In Israel, sirens will sound as the entire country pauses to pray. This year, Yom Hashoah will take place on April 28 and on this day – as on every day – communities around the world will stand together to vow “Never Again.”

March 2022

This month, we are pleased to highlight International Women’s Day, Holi, and Nowruz.

March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a day rooted in the labour movements of the early 20th century and the accompanying calls for the equal participation of women in society. International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the power, leadership, and accomplishments of women everywhere. It is also a time to raise awareness of the progress made towards achieving gender equality and the work remaining to be done. The Government of Canada’s 2022 theme for International Women’s Day is Women Inspiring Women. Visit the Government of Canada’s website to learn more. Holi is a day celebrated by the Hindu community marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It takes place on the last full moon day of the twelfth month (Phalguna) of the Hindu luni-solar calendar. This year, Holi takes place on March 18th. Holi is a time to celebrate new beginnings, renew and strengthen relationships, and look forward to the year ahead with optimism and joy. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is often cheerfully celebrated by smearing each other with paint and throwing around coloured powder and dye.

On March 21st, during the spring equinox and the first day of the Iranian calendar, Persian, Afghan, Kurdish, Zoroastrian, Bahá’í, Central Asian, and Ismaili communities will celebrate Nowruz and the start of the Persian New Year. Nowruz means “New Day” and is a time for friends and family to come together to share food around the haft-seen table, enjoy music, reflect on the challenges of the past, and set intentions for the future. Common Nowruz customs include a major spring cleaning, eating Nowruz foods such as Samanu, and gathering around the haft-seen table to await the exact moment of the spring equinox to celebrate the New Year.

February 2022

This month, we are pleased to highlight Black History Month, Chinese/Lunar New Year, and Pink Shirt Day.

February is Black History Month. Black History Month is about honouring the enormous contributions Black people have made, and continue to make, in all sectors of society. It is about celebrating resilience, innovation, and determination towards a more inclusive and diverse Canada – a prosperous Canada, where everyone has every opportunity to flourish. You are invited to learn more about Black History Month by visiting the Canadian Heritage website and by joining the Materiel Group Diversity and Inclusion Office on February 9th for the Black History Month Ask Me Anything Event.

February 1st marks the beginning of Chinese/Lunar New Year, welcoming the Year of the Tiger. This is the year 4720 in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This holiday is traditionally a time for friends and families to come together. It marks the beginning of a two week celebration, including feasts and parades. The celebrations end with the Lantern Festival on February 15th. During the celebrations, people clean and decorate their homes with the five lucky signs of happiness. New clothes are worn and new shoes are bought, for it is considered bad luck to step down on the ground into old shoes.

February 26th marks Pink Shirt Day, also known as Anti-Bullying Day. Pink Shirt Day began in 2007 when two Nova Scotia high school students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed and threatened for wearing pink. The students bought dozens of pink shirts and distributed them to their classmates to wear in solidarity with the bullied student. Pink Shirt Day demonstrates the impact that we can have when we speak up and work together to bring about positive change. On this day everyone is encouraged to wear pink to show that they do not tolerate bullying.

January 2022

Gantan-Sai, otherwise known as the Japanese New Year, is both a Shinto and secular celebration of the New Year in Japanese culture. Years are traditionally viewed as completely separate, with each New Year providing a fresh start. January first is an auspicious day traditionally believed to be representative of the year to come. Businesses often shut down from January 1 to 3, with families gathering to spend the days together. On January first, the faithful visit shrines and temples, usually at midnight, and pray to restore the heart, prosperity, and health for the year ahead.

Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival day in the Hindu calendar dedicated to the sun and solar deity, Surya. Makar Sankranti takes place on the day that the sun transitions from Sagittarius to Capricorn. This year, Makar Sankranti will be on January 14. Makar Sankranti is celebrated with social festivities such as colourful decorations, fairs (melas), dances, kite flying, bonfires, and feasts. Devotees will often bathe in sacred rivers and lakes to give thanks to the sun and wash away their sins. Makar Sankranti is observed in many parts of the Indian subcontinent, but it is known by different names and customs depending on the locality.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed this year on January 17, commemorates the leader of the Civil Rights movement in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a prominent advocate of nonviolent protest. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, but his legacy lives on in his famous “I have a dream” speech and through successfully getting the United States government to prevent racial discrimination. In 1994, Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a day of service where Americans are encouraged to volunteer in his honour.

December 2021

This month, we are pleased to highlight the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Kwanzaa.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes place on December 3rd. The day honours those with disabilities and their work in breaking down stigma and stereotypes to help create a more inclusive society. Disability inclusion is about creating communities, spaces, services, and support that allow everyone to fully and equally participate. Over one in five Canadians have one or more visible or invisible disabilities and they deserve to live in a country that is free of barriers and discrimination. For more information on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, visit the United Nations website.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is an important religious festival in Mexico that commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, an Indigenous person in Mexico, on December 12, 1531, close to present-day Mexico City. To celebrate this event, on December 12th, people from all parts of Mexico make their way to the Basilica of Guadalupe to pay homage to the Virgin Mary. Our Lady of Guadalupe has long been recognized as the patron saint of Mexico and, in 1945, Our Lady of Guadalupe was crowned “Empress of the Americas” by Pope Pious XXII. The holiday is a national fiesta that includes traditional music, fun attractions and speaks to the core of Mexican identity.

Kwanzaa, derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” (“first fruits”), is an annual celebration of African-American culture, held from December 26th to January 1st. Kwanzaa, as a celebration, takes inspiration from various “first fruit” (harvest) celebrations, such as those of the Ashanti and of the Zulu. On each of the seven nights of Kwanzaa, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles of the Kinara (Swahili for “candleholder”) and the family discusses one of the Nguzo Saba (Swahili for “seven principles”). The Nguzo Saba are Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. Kwanzaa culminates on the sixth day, December 31st, with a communal feast called Karamu (Swahili for “party”).  

November 2021

When we know better, we can do better. This month we are pleased to highlight Diwali, Guru Nanak’s Birthday, and Hanukkah.

Diwali, a time when Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities celebrate the Festival of Lights. At the heart of this festival is the idea that light, good, and knowledge will always triumph over darkness, evil, and ignorance. To celebrate this holiday, families and friends often gather to pray, exchange gifts, share meals, and light up their homes with diyas – a diya is an oil lamp usually made from clay, with a cotton wick dipped in ghee or vegetable oils. Diwali will take place on November 4th when Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity visits homes lit by lamps.

Guru Nanak’s Birthday celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first Sikh Guru. Guru Nanak was born in 1469 CE in what is now present day Pakistan, his birthday falls on the full moon day of the month Kartik. Guru Nanak’s birthday is a time to celebrate his life and his teachings of equality, diversity, service, and compassion, which became the core tenets of Sikhism. This year, Guru Nanak’s birthday takes place on November 19th.

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the victory of the Maccabees and the subsequent miracle of rededicating the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and restoring its menorah. It symbolizes the perseverance and the resilience of the Jewish people in their struggle for religious freedom. During the Festival of Lights, families and friends traditionally gather over eight nights for the lighting of the Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah), singing special prayers, eating traditional foods, spinning the dreidel, and exchanging gifts. This year, Hanukkah starts on November 28th.

October 2021

When we know better, we can do better. This month we are pleased to highlight Navratri, Han-Gul Day, and Chulalongkorn Day.

Navratri, meaning “nine nights”, is a Hindu festival that takes place in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin. Navratri symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. In the Hindu faith, it is one of the most important celebrations of the year. Navratri is celebrated differently within the Indian cultural community. For some, it represents a time of religious reflection and fasting, while for others, it is a time of dancing and feasting. This year, Navratri started on October 7th.

Hangul Day, also known as Korean Alphabet Day, took place on October 9th and it celebrates the creation and the proclamation of the Korean Alphabet by King Sejong the Great. King Sejong and his Hall of Worthies developed the writing system in order to simplify written language and thus promote literacy. The Hangul alphabet is composed of 24 letters, first published on October 9th, 1446, in the book Hunminjeongeum. Nearly six centuries later, Hangul remains the official writing system for both North and South Korea.

Chulalongkorn Day takes place on October 23rd and it is the Memorial Day for King Chulalongkorn, the Great of Thailand, who passed away on this day in 1910. King Chulalongkorn is considered one of the greatest kings of Thailand. His reign was characterized by various progressive reforms, the most notable being the abolition of slavery and corvee (state labour service). Chulalongkorn Day is celebrated in Thailand with ceremonies at the various King Chulalongkorn statues.

September 2021

This month, we are pleased to highlight Yamim Noraim, Enkutatash, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Yamim Noraim or “Days of Awe” (commonly referred to, in English, as the “High Holidays”) is the holiest time in the Jewish calendar. This year, Yamim Noraim begins on September 6th at sundown with Rosh Hashanah, the New Year of the Jewish calendar. The High Holiday cycle is closed by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, when those observing will take part in a day-long fast from food and water. While these are not public holidays in Canada, work is traditionally forbidden on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Enkutatash is the word for the Ethiopian New Year in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, and it falls on September 11th. Enkutatash falls on the first day of Meskerem, which is the first of the thirteen months comprising the Ethiopian calendar. This celebration dates back 3,000 years and today these traditions continue with children receiving gifts and families coming together to celebrate the beginning of a new year.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will fall on September 30th. Based on call to action #80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the government of Canada recently passed legislation to make this day a federal statutory holiday to recognize and commemorate the dark legacy of residential schools. This statutory holiday is designed to honour the survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. Click here to learn more about all 94 calls to action from the TRC. Click here to read more about the history of residential schools and other related reports.

August 2021

Today, we are excited to share with you the Multicultural Celebrations Calendar for the month of August. Canada’s population comes from all regions of the world. To encourage you to explore our country’s rich diversity, each month we will highlight a small selection of important dates, events, festivals or celebrations from the calendar. This month, we are pleased to highlight Emancipation Day, Obon, and Raksha Bandhan.

Emancipation Day commemorates the coming into effect, in 1834, of the British Abolition of Slavery Act. August 1st, 2021 marks the first nationally recognized Emancipation Day in Canada, celebrating the strength and perseverance of Black communities. Canadians are invited to reflect, educate, and engage in the ongoing fight against racism and discrimination. Click here for more information on Emancipation Day.

Obon is a Buddhist custom to honour one’s spiritual ancestors. This custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars. For areas which follow the lunar calendar, Obon will be celebrated from August 13-15. Click here for more information on the Obon Festival.

Raksha Bandhan is a traditionally Hindu annual rite, or ceremony celebrated in South Asia, and among people around the world influenced by Hindu culture. On this day, sisters of all ages tie a talisman, or amulet, called the “Rakhi”, around the wrists of their brothers, symbolically protecting them, receiving a gift in return. This festival follows the lunar calendar and will fall on August 21 this year. Click here for more information on Raksha Bandhan.