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Humanist Happenings Keeping You Connected to Humanist Events
November 2025
This fall, Humanist Canada is launching a vital fundraising campaign to expand our educational programs, advocacy efforts, and community outreach across the country. Your support is essential as we work to promote reason, compassion, and critical thinking for all Canadians. Every donation helps fund secular ceremonies, local initiatives, and national projects that foster a fairer and more inclusive society. Join us in building a future where humanist values guide societal progress and individual lives.
Mark your calendars for a special occasion! We’re hosting an in-person and online event in Ottawa on November 3rd—a chance to connect with fellow members, deepen your understanding of humanist ideals, and learn more about the upcoming World Humanist Congress. Whether you can join us physically at the Humanist Canada office or participate virtually, this event is a perfect moment to engage and get inspired. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the movement and help shape the future of humanism.
This month is packed with exciting activities! Join our upcoming webinar on neurodiversity, where we’ll explore the importance of understanding and inclusivity around these vital issues. Our Book Club will also gather to discuss Sherill Tippins’ acclaimed Inside the Dream Palace, and members will have the chance to connect and share ideas during our casual Members Connect sessions. And of course, don’t forget to listen to the latest episode of Choice Chat, featuring an important discussion on reproductive rights with TK Pritchard, and enjoy our new Guest Blog by Hamed, which offers a fresh perspective on African Humanism—its roots, evolution, and ongoing relevance.
- The Humanist Canada Team
Join the Humanist Resistance: How you can join in defending human rights and democracy
📅 Monday, November 3rd 🕖 5:30 – 7:30 PM EDT
Join us in Ottawa — or online — for a special hybrid event hosted by Humanist Canada and Humanist International. Gary McLelland, Chief Executive of Humanists International, will share the latest global developments in the humanist movement, including highlights from the World Humanist Congress in Luxembourg, new leadership directions, and international efforts toward non-religious chaplaincy.
Don’t miss this inspiring discussion on human rights, democratic values, and the future of humanism — a great prelude to the 2026 World Humanist Congress in Ottawa.
There is an option to register for either the in-person — at the Humanist Canada office in Ottawa — or online session. Please select your preferred attendance mode below:
Explore the growing awareness of ADHD, Autism, and other forms of neurodiversity through a humanist lens in this engaging online session led by humanist activist and writer Alastair Lichten,. Alastair work focuses on creating inclusive spaces and deepening understanding across diverse identities.
The discussion will uncover how neurodivergent and humanist perspectives connect and offer practical ways to build more inclusive, empathetic communities.
Humanism isn’t just an idea—it’s a way of living. It calls us to build a world grounded in equity, diversity, inclusion, and freedom of thought, a world free from harm and hate. Every day, we see Humanism’s power in compassionate dialogue, in the courage to live our values, and in the communities that bring those values to life.
Humanist Canada has been leading this work for decades—expanding public education on reproductive rights, advancing secular ethics in government spaces, supporting meaningful ceremonies, and standing up for human rights. Now, we have an opportunity to deepen that impact.
Now, the moment calls us all to the table. For this year’s Fall Fundraising Campaign, Humanist Canada is raising $20,000 to expand, enrich, and deepen Humanist education, advocacy, and community programming into the coming year. The need is high and the opportunity is ours.
Your donation will help us:
Grow Humanist education that inspires curiosity and critical thinking.
Strengthen Humanist advocacy and amplify our public voice.
Create vibrant, inclusive spaces where communities can gather, learn, and act together.
We invite you, along with our community of members, friends, and neighbours, to participate by:
Together, our collective action will help build a more thoughtful, inclusive, and humane world.
Choice Chat - Episode 5
Access Matters - Exposing the Illusion of Abortion Access
Abortion in Canada is often described as “accessible.” But as TK Pritchard, Executive Director of Abortion Care Canada, explains in this powerful new episode of *Choice Chat*, that perception hides a much more complicated truth.
Our host Tara unpacks what access really looks like — from uneven funding and defunding, to a shortage of providers, to the impact of conscientious objection and geography. TK shares eye-opening insights from the front lines of abortion care, revealing how a supposedly universal service can still leave so many behind.
Abortion may be decriminalized in Canada, but as this episode makes clear, access is not guaranteed. TK’s stories — from patients forced to travel out of province or even out of country, to providers working overtime to fill systemic gaps — remind us that real access requires sustained commitment and advocacy.
📘 November Book Club: Inside the Dream Palace: The Life and Times of New York's Legendary Chelsea Hotel
Our Monthly Book Club for November is Sherill Tippins’ 2013 exquisite masterpieceInside the Dream Palace: The Life and Times of New York's Legendary Chelsea Hotel
Join us as we discuss architecture, history of art, counterculture and the struggle to maintain the spirit of buildings and symbols against commodification as legacies get compromised in attempts to reduce them to imagery.
You can also send your suggestions for future Book Club meetings by contacting Bookclub@humanistcanada.ca
Guest Blog: African Humanism in Theory and Practice
Chemli Hamed, a Master’s student in International and European Law and Humanist Canada member, brings a nuanced perspective on African Humanism in his guest blog. Challenging common stereotypes, Hamed explores the rich diversity of the African continent and emphasizes that Africa is not a cultural or ethnic monolith. His blog delves into how humanist values like rationalism, free inquiry, and human rights have distinct meanings and histories within various African contexts. It invites readers to rethink overgeneralizations and appreciate the unique ways humanism is understood and practiced across Africa, reflecting the continent’s complex realities.
💡 Want to contribute to Humanist Canada Guest Blog Series? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us at info@humanistcanada.ca.
Your Voice. Our Reflection.
We thank you deeply for sharing your thoughts and letting us hear your voice by responding to our survey.
Your reflection is much needed to advance our movement, enhance our engagement, optimize our action and shape the future of Humanism in Canada.
The results will unfold as an infographic, reflecting our collective voice. For this, the higher the participation gets, the more democratic the process is, and the more comprehensive it becomes!
For those who didn’t participate yet, don’t worry, take our survey till November 7th. You still have a few more days to answer the survey and get a chance to win a $75 Visa gift card.
Nous sommes heureux d’annoncer le lancement de « Connection humaniste - Rencontres hebdomadaires » !
🌐 Rejoignez-nous en ligne pour : ✔ Connecter en français avec d’autres humanistes ✔ Rester au courant des dernières nouvelles ✔ Partager vos préoccupations et vos accomplissements ✔ Ou simplement nous dire à quoi vous pensez ces temps-ci
📍 Nos discussions ont lieu chaque mardi, de 19h00 à 20h00 HNE.
📌 Cet événement s'adresse aux membres d'Humanist Canada seulement.
Connect, Reflect, Belong: Weekly Conversations for English-Speaking Members
📅 Every Thursdays 🕖 6:00–7:00 PM ET | 3:00–4:00 PM PT
Looking for a space to connect with fellow Humanist Canada members? Join our weekly virtual Members Connect Group, where members from across the country gather to share experiences, spark ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations.
Led by members, for members, these relaxed sessions offer a chance to explore questions that matter—whether you're curious about the role of Humanism in daily life or just want to meet like-minded people in a supportive environment.
Whether you're just discovering Humanism or have been walking this path for years, your voice and presence are welcome. Let’s shape the future of Humanist Canada—one conversation at a time.
Local member gatherings are informal meetings of humanists - a simple idea with big results.
Liking What You See?
Let’s make it official.
For just $50 a year, you can become a Humanist Canada member and unlock all the events, perks, and warm fuzzy feelings of supporting humanist values across the country.
Keep track of all our upcoming events and meeting times in one convenient place. There’s always something exciting happening—be sure to stay in the loop!
We value your membership, volunteer efforts, and financial support. Together, we’re fostering a vibrant community, advancing Humanist values, and creating meaningful change.
If you’d like to make an impact, consider making a donation today. Your support helps us sustain our programs, expand our reach, and grow our shared vision for a better future.
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