Humanists In Action
Honouring Those Who Served
Every November 11th, members of Humanist Ottawa lay a wreath for all non-believers who gave their lives for our freedom.
Every Year We're Standing Up for Reproductive Rights
Planned Parenthood March
Humanist Ottawa has long supported a woman’s right to make her own reproductive healthcare decisions.
Every year, members march through downtown Ottawa with Planned Parenthood supporters to defend reproductive freedom and access to safe abortion services.
Our commitment to bodily autonomy and evidence-based healthcare continues today.
Celebrating Pride
Humanist Ottawa proudly marches in Ottawa’s annual Pride Parade in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
We believe everyone deserves dignity, equality, and the freedom to live authentically without discrimination.
Supporting human rights means standing with our fellow humans and not only during Pride Month, but throughout the year.
Defending Freedom of Expression
The Atheist Bus Campaign
In June of 2008, Ariane Sherine from the UK became offended when she clicked onto a website she had seen advertised on a London bus. The website stated that non-Christians will “spend all eternity in torment in hell.” Ariane reasoned that atheists had a right to a counter ad. She teamed up with Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion and the British Humanist Association. Between them, they managed to raise in excess of $200,000.
Ariane chose the slogan:
THERE’S PROBABLY NO GOD.
NOW STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE.
The word “probably” was to appease the London transit authority.
The slogan caught on and freethinkers have placed ads in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and the USA. There are groups in Germany, Australia, Finland, Switzerland, and Croatia who are also working on placing ads.
Thus, HO became part of an international movement along with other Humanist and freethinking associations in Canada. Some cities in Canada readily accepted the ads such as Toronto, Calgary and Montreal. Others put up a fight, namely Halifax, Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, BC, and London. At issue was freedom of expression and if challenged, the courts would most likely side with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Never-the-less, Ottawa Humanists had a battle on their hands. The HO joined with the Freethought Association of Canada and <atheistbus.ca> to put the atheist ads on Ottawa buses. The ads were rejected by the Ottawa Transit Committee. City councilor, Alex Cullen, the Chair of the Transit Committee and always supportive of our atheistic stand, decided to take OC Transpo to task to find out why the ad was being rejected. This meeting took place on 18th February 2009.
Four HO members turned up with tape over their mouths to indicate they were being censored. The media loved it and it resulted in many requests for interviews. It was the major topic on radio and television talks shows in the days ahead. The issue was also covered extensively in the local print media.
At the March meeting, Alex Cullen told the Council that the City’s legal team advised that the City would most likely lose the case should the matter go before the courts. The city lawyer estimated the cost to the city of such a battle would be about $10,000 – 20,000. In the end the ban was reversed and the Council voted 13-7 in favour of running our ads. The adage that any publicity is good publicity was very true in this case. The HO got more exposure from the controversy of the ban than the ad itself. It resulted in increased awareness of humanism and consequently the HAO gained more members.
The mayor of Ottawa at the time, Larry O’Brien, did not agree with this campaign and wrote this letter to his Constitutes.
One Law for Everyone
In 2003, Roy Brown, from the International Humanist & Ethical Union (Humanist International) contacted the HAC to find out if it was true that Canada was going to accept Muslim Sharia laws as part of its legal system. On investigation, it was revealed that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty was considering implementing Sharia Arbitration Courts, much like the Jewish Arbitration Courts that were already in existence. Mumtaz Sayed Ali, a retired Muslim lawyer initiated this proposal, arguing that these courts would save time and money because they would free up an already overburdened court system. Only Sharia laws pertaining to family matters and business disputes would be considered. What Ali didn’t mention was that Sharia laws are overwhelmingly biased against women’s rights. Many Muslims had risked their lives to escape those countries under Sharia laws to come to countries like Canada. Ali’s proposal attracted worldwide attention, bringing together Humanist groups like HO, Muslim women’s groups, liberal Muslims, human rights groups and other freethinker groups. Homa Arjmand was instrumental in the fight to stop Sharia laws being accepted in Ontario and managed a ‘No Sharia’ campaign to bring attention to the issue. Demonstrations, panel discussions and immense media coverage across Canada and around the world put pressure on the Ontario government.
In the end McGuinty decided against implementing the law, so we won that one!
Not everyone was on our side. This was an email (unedited) received on 27th December 2003:
Greetings:
I read about the implementation of Sharia law in canada regarding civil laws dealing with muslims i.e. divorce ,inheritance ,marriage etc. I also came across your comments saying that Sharia is not compatible with “secularist Canada” and that it is a disadvantage to muslim women because it (shariah) oppresses them .I am very very surprised at the level of ignorance of an “educated” person like you.
Either you have really no knowledge about the SYSTEM of Islam or you harbour deep prejudice against Islam & Muslims. Why is it that atheists like you can have the “right” to your lifestyle even if it is destroying the fabric of our society like homosexual marriage and people who want to practice their FAITH can’t do so because the so-called humanists like you think it goes against the secular way of western society.
Secularism is a seperation of church (religion) and state but it also alows people to live acording to the principles and laws they choose. Secularism CANNOT be imposed upon people who want to live a Moral lifestyle. Do you want Canada to become another France? or may be it’s just ignorance on your part. I hope you invest ‘some’ time in learning about the Advantages religious ways can bring to an otherwise materialistic and selfish society.
Sincerey,
A Friend.
Expanding Humanist Celebrancy
HO member, Simon Parcher had the idea to have Humanist Ottawa legally perform marriages. It was tough to keep chasing the ministry on their decision. In the end, the ministry agreed to grant permission but said the Humanist Canada should be the administrating body because they could oversee the whole province. HO agreed. Another victory for us!
Celebrating Science
Darwin Day
On 12th February, 2003, the anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, the City of Ottawa proclaimed this day as “Darwin Day” for that year, at the request of the HO. Other Humanist groups across Canada emulated HAO’s initiative.
World Humanist Congress 2026
The 2026 World Humanist Congress took place from August 7 to 9, 2026 at the Westin Hotel, Ottawa.
AMERICA’S LOSS IS CANADA’S GAIN
The Congress was originally planned by the American Atheists Association to take place in Washington, D.C. However, due to the political climate in the United States, the American Atheists cancelled the event citing the US political climate and policies that could make travel or attendance difficult for many people.
Humanists International responded by inviting Humanist Canada to co-host and relocate the Congress to Ottawa, Canada which is a more stable, inclusive, and rights-affirming setting that better matches humanist values and will make the event more accessible for an international audience.
Humanists International is a global umbrella organization for humanist, atheist, secular, and freethought groups. It was founded in Amsterdam in 1952 and works to promote human rights, secularism, and humanist values around the world, including support for humanists facing persecution. This year, the Congress centred on a timely and powerful theme: “Humanism as Resistance.” In a world where human rights, democracy, and open societies are under renewed pressure, the Congress explored how humanist values can be transformed into meaningful action.
Over 500 people attended the Congress, including, 179 attendees from Canada, 106 attendees from USA, and 215 attendees from other countries.
Members of Humanist Ottawa pose for group photos at the2026 World Humanist Congress
AMERICA’S LOSS IS CANADA’S GAIN
The Congress was originally planned by the American Atheists Association to take place in Washington, D.C. However, due to the political climate in the United States, the American Atheists cancelled the event citing the US political climate and policies that could make travel or attendance difficult for many people.
Humanists International responded by inviting Humanist Canada to co-host and relocate the Congress to Ottawa, Canada which is a more stable, inclusive, and rights-affirming setting that better matches humanist values and will make the event more accessible for an international audience.
Humanists International is a global umbrella organization for humanist, atheist, secular, and freethought groups. It was founded in Amsterdam in 1952 and works to promote human rights, secularism, and humanist values around the world, including support for humanists facing persecution. This year, the Congress centred on a timely and powerful theme: “Humanism as Resistance.” In a world where human rights, democracy, and open societies are under renewed pressure, the Congress explored how humanist values can be transformed into meaningful action.
Over 500 people attended the Congress, including, 179 attendees from Canada, 106 attendees from USA, and 215 attendees from other countries.
HO Walking Tours
Humanist Ottawa was asked to put together a walking tour of Ottawa.
Over 50 people joined the walk from Canada, US, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Turkey, UK, Malaysia and Peru.
Magnolia Forest did an excellent job in organising the tour and HO would also like to thank the following volunteers who freely gave their time as guides:
Beulah Nwokotubo, Dave Smith, David Wendland, Ed, Geneviève Thain, Jeffrey Maher. Joan Wendland, Kris Williamson, Marie-Claude Leroux, Paz Humana, Peter Schmolka, Rejeanne Thain, Richard Thain, Ron Keays, Sara Michele, Scott Smith, Stuart Ash, and Tim Moore.
Below is the route taken:
Magnolia at the registration table for the walking tour.
Tour Guide Sara Michele read to leave for a tour.
Photo Gallery of the Walking Tour
Starting point outside the Westin Hotel
Byward Market
Kìwekì Point giving panoramic views of the Ottawa river and Parliament Hill
Rideau Canal locks
Visiting the Terry Fox statue
War Memorial
Scott Smith by Terry Fox statue
Canada Pin Cards
The office of our MP’s will give out, free of charge, a number of Canada pins. HO would like to thank Colin Ashford, Sheila Ayala, Dave Corkery, Tim Moore, Simon Parcher, Maria Petrasovic, Peter Schmolka and Madeline Weld for collecting the pins for us.
We then put the pins on the poem composed by HO President, Robert Hamilton. We handed out around 200 pin cards to overseas delegates, who were delighted to become honorary citizens of Canada.
Many asked for an extra pin card for their spouse or colleague. And they proudly wore the Canada pin on their lapel or lanyard!