WHEREAS this month we recognize Toronto Crime Stoppers and its collaborative partnership with communities, the media and Toronto Police Services to make Toronto a safer city for everyone.
Toronto Crime Stoppers offers crime prevention and awareness campaigns to alert the public to potential criminal activity. The organization takes a collaborative approach and channels resources and funds into the community it serves to help improve community safety across Toronto.
The City of Toronto acknowledges with gratitude, Toronto Crime Stoppers’ valued work in our city that prioritizes the safety of residents and neighbourhoods across the city.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim
January 2026 as “Crime Stoppers Month” in the City of Toronto.
WHEREAS this month we celebrate Tamil Heritage and the community in Toronto, which is home to one of the largest Tamil diasporas in the world.
This month provides an opportunity to learn more about Tamil culture, heritage and traditions.
During Tamil Heritage Month, Tamils around the world gather to celebrate Thai Pongal, one of the most important festivals in the Tamil community, celebrated to give thanks for an abundant harvest.
The City of Toronto acknowledges with gratitude the cultural, economic, political and social contributions of Toronto’s Tamil community, that form part of Toronto’s motto: “Diversity Our Strength.”
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim
January 2026 as “Tamil Heritage Month” in the City of Toronto.
WHEREAS this week, we celebrate emergency shelter workers and homelessness service workers, acknowledging the central role they play in delivering Toronto’s 24-hour homelessness services including shelters, respite sites, warming centres, drop-in programs, and outreach.
Toronto’s shelter system serves a range of equity-deserving groups, including those who are unhoused, seniors, low-income households, people with disabilities, the Black community, Indigenous peoples, refugees and refugee claimants, the 2SLGBTQ+ community as well as women, and youth.
Emergency shelter and homelessness service workers carry out this essential work with resilience, professionalism, and compassion, often in complex and high-pressure environments. Their efforts help ensure that people experiencing homelessness have access to safe, dignified, and high-quality shelter, along with wrap-around supports that promote health, stability, and pathways to permanent housing. This work takes place 24 hours a day, seven days a week across approximately 100 shelter locations and in outdoor spaces throughout Toronto, in all weather conditions, and frequently under demanding circumstances.
The City of Toronto acknowledges with gratitude the valuable contributions of all emergency shelter workers and homelessness service workers in our city, who administer vital services and programs to strengthen our communities and uphold the dignity, safety and well-being of Toronto residents.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim
January 19 – 25, 2026 as “Emergency Shelter and Homelessness Service Worker Appreciation Week” in the City of Toronto.
WHEREAS today we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and legacy of the Honourable Lincoln Alexander, a Toronto-born human rights trailblazer and champion of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Lincoln Alexander held many important roles as a community leader, the first Black Member of Parliament, the first Black Cabinet Minister and Chair of the Ontario Workers’ Compensation Board. He used his work to meaningfully engage with the community, speak out against institutional and systemic racism and promote equal rights for everyone.
On September 20, 1985, Lincoln Alexander was appointed the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, becoming the first Black Canadian to serve in a vice-regal position in Canada. His mandate included fighting racism, advancing youth issues and advocating for seniors. He visited hundreds of communities and schools and thousands of events in support of his work. In 1992, Lincoln Alexander’s accomplishments and contributions were recognized with the Companion to the Order of Canada.
Today, the City of Toronto is proud to honour Lincoln Alexander’s lasting impact on our city, province and country.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim
January 21, 2026 as “Lincoln Alexander Day” in the City of Toronto.
WHEREAS today on the World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture we recognize and celebrate the many diverse and vibrant cultures of the African continent and the African Diasporas in our city and around the world.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) first adopted January 24 as the World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture in 2019. The date coincides with a milestone date: January 24, 2006, when the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance was adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
While we celebrate the diverse heritage and rich culture of people of African descent, we also acknowledge that Black and Afrodescendant communities continue to experience systemic racism and discrimination. The City of Toronto is committed to advancing social justice, eradicating racism and intolerance, and promoting human rights for the diverse communities that call our city home.
The City of Toronto continues to prioritize equity through the advancement of a 10-year Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism and is committed to working with Black leaders, Black-led organizations and businesses, and diverse Black communities to help build a city that is fully inclusive and accessible for all residents.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim
January 24, 2026 as “World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture” in the City of Toronto.
WHEREAS today we raise awareness of Kawasaki Disease (KD), the leading cause of sudden acquired heart disease in children under the age of five. Approximately 550 Canadian children will be affected by this rare disease annually.
Early medical intervention, within the first 10 days of symptoms, may reduce heart complications and improve the chances of recovery without long-term complications. Approximately 25 percent of children living with KD will develop permanent damage to the heart.
By raising awareness of KD, we can support children and families impacted by the disease and highlight the need for early diagnosis and treatment. The Hospital for Sick Children is at the forefront of Kawasaki Disease research worldwide.
The City of Toronto acknowledges organizations that are committed to providing support and resources for the well-being of Toronto residents. Education, fundraising and support help improve the health of our community.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim
January 26, 2026 as “Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day” in the City of Toronto.
WHEREAS today on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember and honour the over six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and listen to the words of survivors, to ensure we never forget this horrific time in history.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is marked on the date that the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was liberated on January 27, 1945. As we reflect on atrocities of the Holocaust, we stand with Toronto’s Jewish communities and reaffirm our commitment against intolerance, hatred and antisemitism.
Antisemitism continues to exist today and must be confronted in its many forms and wherever it occurs, whether they are individual acts or systemic efforts. Intolerance and hate have no place in our city.
The City of Toronto’s motion, “Keeping Toronto Safe from Hate” supports the well-being and safety of all residents by ensuring the City takes proactive actions to combat all forms of hate, intolerance and discrimination including antisemitism.
The Toronto for All campaigns also continues to generate dialogue among Toronto residents and reaffirms our city’s resolve to say “no” to all forms of discrimination and racism, including antisemitism.
Toronto’s Jewish communities form an important part of the rich, culturally diverse mosaic of Toronto. As we work together to build a welcoming city for everyone, it is up to all of us to help create inclusive places that build allyship, trust and understanding among all residents.
We reaffirm our commitment to being a city that promotes human rights, stands for peace and is united in our shared values. Toronto is a city that embraces and welcomes inclusion, respect for diversity and pluralism. We are stronger when we work together to build a just and caring city for all residents.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim
January 27, 2026 as “International Holocaust Remembrance Day” in the City of Toronto.
WHEREAS today we recognize Data Privacy Day to raise awareness of the importance of privacy and reaffirm the City of Toronto’s commitment to protecting personal information.
Privacy is a human right and plays a key role in a free and democratic society.
The City of Toronto is entrusted to collect and use personal information to provide vital public services, and it does so in compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All City of Toronto employees have a role to play in ensuring privacy is a priority and a right.
New digital services and technologies pose new opportunities and new threats to institutions and individuals’ privacy. The City of Toronto is committed to safeguarding the privacy and personal information of the people it serves through training and education, established policies and procedures, technical measures, and good governance.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim January 28, 2026 as “Data Privacy Day” in the City of Toronto.
WHEREAS today on the anniversary of the mosque attack at Centre culturel islamique de Québec (Islamic Cultural Centre of Québec City) we remember the six people who were killed and the 19 people who were injured while gathering for evening prayers and recognize the lasting impact of this act of violence on individuals and communities across Canada.
We stand with Toronto’s Muslim communities and reaffirm our commitment to combatting Islamophobia.
The City of Toronto’s motion, “Keeping Toronto Safe from Hate” supports the well-being and safety of all residents by ensuring the City takes proactive actions to combat all forms of hate, including Islamophobia.
The Toronto for All campaign continues to generate dialogue among Toronto residents and reaffirms our city’s resolve to say “no” to all forms of discrimination and racism including Islamophobia.
Still, we must do more as a city to eradicate fear, hatred and intolerance. We reaffirm our commitment to being a city that promotes human rights, stands for peace and is united in our shared values. Toronto is home to people of many faiths, cultures, and backgrounds, and the contributions of Muslim residents, alongside those of all communities, are part of the city’s rich social, cultural, and civic life, reflecting our shared belief that Diversity is Our Strength.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim January 29, 2026 as “Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia” in the City of Toronto.