Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, observed annually on September 30, is a federal statutory holiday dedicated to acknowledging the intergenerational trauma caused by residential schools and honoring the children who never returned home. It also pays tribute to the Survivors, families, and communities who continue to endure and resist the legacies of colonial violence.

Gender Equality Week, observed annually during the fourth week of September, serves as a national opportunity to celebrate progress, highlight persistent challenges, and recommit to achieving full gender equity in Canada. Established in 2018 through the passage of the Gender Equality Week Act, this commemorative week encourages Canadians to reflect on and address the systemic barriers that disproportionately impact women and gender-diverse individuals.

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. The triennial global theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” (2024–2026) calls for a transformation in how suicide is understood and addressed.

Celebrating Black Excellence, Confronting Structural Injustice

On August 31, the world observes the International Day for People of African Descent, a day established by the United Nations to acknowledge the contributions, cultures, and resilience of people of African descent worldwide. First observed in 2021, the day affirms the need to promote the full inclusion of people of African descent and to combat systemic racism, discrimination, and historical injustice.

Honouring Self‑Determination: A Pathway to Food Security and Sovereignty

Each year on August 9, the world observes the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples to celebrate the richness of Indigenous cultures and to draw attention to the injustices that many Indigenous communities continue to face. Declared by the United Nations in 1994, this day marks the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982, a pivotal moment in global Indigenous advocacy.

Remembering Freedom, Confronting Legacy

On August 1, Canadians observe Emancipation Day, commemorating the anniversary of the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which took effect across the British Empire in 1834. This historic legislation freed more than 800,000 enslaved African people in British colonies, including what is now Canada. The day is both a celebration of Black freedom and a solemn reminder of Canada’s own history of slavery and systemic anti-Black racism.

Every year on July 30, the world pauses to confront a brutal, hidden reality: human trafficking. This global crime, encompassing forced labour, sexual exploitation, organ trafficking, and forced marriage, victimizes millions in silence. It’s not a distant tragedy but a grave violation of human dignity that thrives under systems of inequality.

Each year on June 21, people across Canada come together to recognize and celebrate the diverse cultures, languages, knowledge systems, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place during the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and a sacred time in many Indigenous communities that marks renewal, connection to the land, and the power of sunlight and spirit.

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. It’s a time to honour the deep histories, vibrant cultures, and ongoing contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Turtle Island. This month invites all settlers to reflect on the lands they occupy, to learn the truths that have long been silenced, and to take responsibility for building relationships rooted in respect and justice.

Too often, Indigenous stories have been overlooked, erased, or misrepresented… told through colonial frameworks. 

Red Dress Day, observed each year on May 5, is a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+) in Canada. It is a solemn reminder of the ongoing crisis of gender-based and colonial violence disproportionately impacting Indigenous communities.

“We don’t need to be quiet to heal. We need space, support, and a society that believes us.” -  Chanel Miller

Every May, we observe Sexual Violence Prevention Month. It is a time for communities, organizations, and individuals to speak out, take meaningful action, and support those affected by sexual violence. The goal is not only to raise awareness but to drive cultural and systemic change. Sexual violence often goes unreported and unacknowledged because of stigma, fear, and shame. Survivors are frequently silenced or dismissed, and those who witness harm may hesitate to intervene or speak up. This silence allows abuse to continue and abusers to go unchallenged.

The theme for this year’s World Autism Awareness Day 2025 is ‘Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals’. This theme highlights the connection between neurodiversity and global sustainability efforts and how inclusive policies and practices such as eliminating barriers for autistic peoples, promoting inclusive policies and recognizing the contributions of autistic individuals in society can create positive change for both autistic individuals worldwide as well as help achieve the goals of the the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Each year, March 31 marks the commemorative day for the International Transgender Day of Visibility or TDOV. On this day, we celebrate and uplift the accomplishments, diversities and stories of transgender, non-binary, two-spirit and gender non-conforming peoples and offer them our support and solidarity. This day also aims to raise awareness and draw attention to the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence that the community faces in comparison to cisgender (non-transgender) communities.

March 21st is an annual day to reflect, learn, and take action towards the elimination of racial discrimination. Established in 1966 by the United Nations, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was created in response to tragic events that occurred at a peaceful protest against apartheid “pass laws” in Sharpeville, South Africa in 1960 (SDG. 2015).

Every year on March 8th, people from around the globe unite in solidarity for International Women’s Day (IWD). Created in 1911, this annual day of advocacy and action is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all women, to increase awareness of the barriers and discrimination women continue to face, and to promote gender equity for all people who identify as women.

Since 2007, Pink Shirt Day or Anti-Bullying Day has been officially recognized and commemorated on the last Wednesday of February each year in Canada in order to raise awareness, stand up and take action against bullying.

February 1st is the 13th annual World Hijab Day, a global event inviting “people of all backgrounds to stand in solidarity with Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab and to challenge the prejudice and misconceptions they often face because of this choice” (World Hijab Day Organization, 2025). Founded in 2013, this annual event was created by Bangladeshi-American Nazman Khan who had the idea to promote better cultural understanding by inviting women from all backgrounds to wear hijabs on that day. This movement has grown to include the participation of over 150 countries around the world, who engage by holding their own education, advocacy, and community building events to amplify the voices and highlight the stories of these women.

In comparison to other commemorative days proposed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the acknowledgement of International Universal Health Coverage Day is relatively newer but equally as important. On December 12, 2012, the UN General Assembly proposed that every member state of the UN work towards the goal of implementing the concept of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) into their respective national health policies. Five years later in 2017, the UN declared the 12th of December as the International Universal Health Coverage Day