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The Voice of Canadian humanism
La voix de l'humanisme canadien
March 16, 2026
Welcome to the March 16th edition of Humanist Canada’s Newsletter!
In this March 2026 edition of ‘The Voice of Canadian Humanism’, we bring you a bulk of thought-provoking Humanist material that would quench your thirst for knowledge.
To make it easier for you, we decided to divide this rich material into categories: Podcasts, Book Club, Humanist Canada events, community news and members’ creations.
We hope you enjoy it! ❤️
– The Humanist Canada Team
Bienvenue à l'édition du 16 février de la Newsletter de Humanist Canada !
Chers et chères humanistes,
Dans cette édition de mars 2026 de ‘La voix de l'Humanisme canadien’, nous vous suggérons une gamme de contenu intellectuel humaniste pour nourrir votre curiosité.
Pour faire plus simple, nous avons divisé le contenu par catégorie : Podcasts, club de lecture, évènements de Humanist Canada, les nouvelles de la communauté humaniste au-delà de Humaniste Canada et les créations des membres.
Profitez-en !
– L’équipe de Humanist Canada
Podcasts
The Voice of Canadian Humanism Podcast
Episode 30 - An Interview with Daniel Dacombe, Maggie Ardiente, & Gary McLelland
Our 30th Episode of The Voice of Canadian Humanism had dropped.
In this episode, Humanist Canada's Daniel Dacombe sits down with the President of Humanist International, Maggie Ardiente, and Humanist Society of Scotland's Gary McLelland. They discuss how they came to Humanism, the recent Freedom of Thought Report, and the upcoming World Humanist Conference in Ottawa.
Episode 8 - Abortion Decriminalization in Canada: Why Criminal Law Should Stay Out – a conversation with Dr. Martha Paynter
In our newest Choice Chat episode, our host Tara speaks with Dr. Martha Paynter—nurse, researcher, and author of Lawless: Abortion Under Complete Decriminalization—about why Canada’s decriminalized framework matters, and why attempts to “bring abortion back into law” can quickly create real barriers for patients and providers.
They explore how access is shaped through health policy, service delivery, and funding decisions (not the Criminal Code), and how medication abortion—especially mifepristone—has expanded access by enabling more timely care closer to home. They also address persistent gaps across regions and populations, the role of misinformation and stigma, and why reproductive justice connects to affordability, safety, and health equity. The episode closes with a call for cross-movement solidarity to protect decriminalization and strengthen access in practice.
Freedom of Thought (Humanist International Podcast)
This week’s episode features a conversation with Maggie Ardiente, President of Humanists International, reflecting on the global defence of freedom of belief and the role of humanists in resisting rising authoritarianism.
Maggie shares the origin story of the Freedom of Thought Report, explaining how early engagement with the US State Department helped ensure discrimination against atheists and humanists was formally documented. What began as a modest advocacy intervention has grown into Humanists International’s flagship annual publication, used by diplomats, policymakers, and civil society organisations worldwide.
Make sure to tune in each week to Freedom of Thought, produced by Humanise Live. If you enjoy the episode, please consider sharing it with others.
Drop Dead: A Horrible History of Hanging in Canada By Lorna Poplak
On April 7th, the members of our Book Club will be discussing Toronto based author Lorna Popalak's non-fiction Drop Dead: A Horrible History of Hanging in Canada.
Poplak explores the history of the death penalty in Canada till its abolition in 1976 and the various elements related to its enforcement and implementation.
It explores the whole story of such a punishment and everything rotating it, judges, trials, conviction, victims, hangmen and the wrongly convicted.
Monthly Webinar
📅 April 8th | 🕖 8:00 PM EDT |📍Zoom
Secularism in Canada: A Means for Maximum Freedom. Humanist Officiant and Secular Chair CFIC, Leslie Rosenblood will discuss secularism in Canada: what it is, what it isn't, and why it's the means to maximal freedom for all. He will cover the history of secularism in Canada: where we were, where we are, and where we are going. He will compare Canada with the United States, provide an assessment of where Canada currently adheres to secular principles, and how it can improve in the future.
You are invited to join us Thursday, March 19th, at 7:30 PM in Regina, SK for a friendly meet-and-greet at a local coffee shop for humanists, secularists, and anyone interested in the big questions of life! Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks will be available for purchase, and the event is come-and-go as you please.
Rencontre amicale de Humaniste Canada – Saskatchewan
🗓 19 mars | 🕖 19h30 MT |📍Regina (SK)
Vous êtes invité(e) à vous joindre à nous le jeudi 19 mars à 19h30 à Regina (SK) pour une rencontre amicale dans un café local, destinée aux humanistes, aux personnes non-religieuses et à tout individu intéressé par les grandes questions de la vie!
Des boissons non alcoolisées et des collations seront disponibles à l’achat, et l’événement est informel — venez et partez quand vous le souhaitez.
Veuillez confirmer votre présence (RSVP) auprès de Joel Houston à l’adresse joel.houston@humanistcanada.caafin de recevoir l’adresse du lieu de rencontre.
Humanist Connections | Connexions humanistes
📅 August 7 🕖 8:30 AM ET📍Ottawa
Join humanists from across Canada and the world in Ottawa for Humanist Connections, a full day of engaging conversations, shared experiences, creativity, and celebration.
With a variety of engaging activities to choose from in both English and French – from opportunities to meet, to intellectual exchanges, to artistic expression – there will be something for every humanist. Connect with fellow humanists, share stories, explore ideas and celebrate our global humanist community.
The full schedule will be sent to registered participants in July.
Registration deadline is 7 July 2026. Please note that tickets are limited and may sell out before this date.
For those requiring accommodation, information about a discounted hotel room block at Lord Elgin will be provided upon registration.
--------- Le 7 août 2026 à 08h30 (heure d'Ottawa), joignez-vous à des humanistes de partout au Canada et du monde entier à Ottawa pour Connexions humanistes, une journée remplie de conversations enrichissantes, d’expériences partagées, de créativité et de célébration.
Avec des choix d’activités captivantes à découvrir en anglais et en français – allant des occasions de rencontre aux échanges intellectuels, en passant par l’expression artistique – il y aura quelque chose pour tous les humanistes. Rencontrez d’autres humanistes, partagez vos histoires, explorez de nouvelles idées et célébrez notre communauté humaniste mondiale.
L'horaire complet sera partagé en juillet avec les participants.
La date limite d’inscription est le 7 juillet 2026. Veuillez noter que le nombre de places est limité et que l’événement pourrait afficher complet avant cette date.
Pour les personnes ayant besoin d’hébergement, les renseignements concernant un bloc de chambres à tarif réduit à l'hôtel Lord Elgin seront fournis lors de l’inscription.
New Members Connect
📅 February 25th 🕖 7:00PM ET📍 Online
If you have joined Humanist Canada in the last year, we invite you to our New Member Orientation, where you’ll have the chance to:
Explore the member portal
Learn how to make the most of your membership
Connect with fellow Humanists
These events happen on the last wednesday of each month.
Community news
A Message from Ian Bushfield, BC Humanist Association's Executive Director
Tick "No Religion"
On Census 2021, 34.6% of Canadians and 52.1% of British Columbians said they were not religious.
Only Statistics Canada asked respondents to: "Indicate a specific denomination or religion even if this person is not currently a practising member of that group."
We've long argued that this obscures the true non-religious population in Canada. Starting this year, Statistics Canada will include the religion question every five years. This means we have an opportunity to stand up and be counted.
We're asking you to pledge to tell the truth on Census 2026 and tick 'No Religion.'
The Ontario Humanist Society invites you to join us at #Fill Your Life Conference
📅 April 25-26 📍 Aurora
THINK – LISTEN – QUESTION - ENGAGE
This years’ conference will bring together speakers who will tackle complex and often contentious topics—among them the role of nuclear energy in a sustainable future, the persistent realities of racism and structural inequality, and the urgent need to design a world that is truly accessible to all. Our speakers are deeply engaged in social progress, critical thinking, and evidence-based solutions. These are not abstract debates. These are voices that approach some of the most pressing issues of our time through a humanist lens: centering human dignity, evidence, compassion, and shared responsibility. They shape who is safe, who is heard, who has opportunity—and ultimately, what kind of future we build together.
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