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Proclamations

A proclamation is a ceremonial document designating a period (special day, week or month) given to reward the efforts and commitments of recognized organizations or events that enhance our community and for a reason that is significant to City of Pickering residents.


Mental Health Awareness Month - November 2025

Mental Health Awareness Month, observed each November, is an annual campaign led by the Carion Fenn Foundation in honour of Alex Monaghan, beloved youth of Ms. Karen O’Brien and Mayor Kevin Ashe. Alex’s life and legacy continue to inspire vital conversations around mental health.

This awareness month was created to:

  • honour Alex's memory and support the community
  • raise awareness about the importance of mental health for all, especially youth and vulnerable populations
  • break the stigma associated with mental illness
  • promote access to education, support services, and resources
  • encourage early intervention, understanding, and compassion

Throughout November, the Carion Fenn Foundation hosts a variety of community-based initiatives, including: 

  • Mental Health Flag Raising Ceremony
  • Youth Mental Health Chat
  • Queens Park Mental Health Chat with our Members of Provincial Parliament
  • educational programs, resource distribution, and awareness campaigns
  • partnerships with mental health professionals, community leaders, and local governments

This month serves as a platform for change; empowering individuals, families, and communities to speak openly about mental health and seek help without shame. It reflects the Foundation’s commitment to creating a more compassionate, inclusive society where no one feels alone in their mental health journey. 

It is okay not to feel okay, and it is okay to ask for help.

The Carion Fenn Foundation is a national, award-winning registered charity dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by chronic illnesses, disabilities, and mental health.

🌐 www.carionfenn.org | 📧 smcm@carionfenn.org | 📞 289-923-8170 
#MentalHealthAwareness #AlexMonaghan #TogetherWeAreStronger

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Children’s Grief Awareness Month - November 2025

November is Children's Grief Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique challenges children face when they grieve and providing support to them and their families. A key day within this month is Children's Grief Awareness Day, which falls on the third Thursday of November – this year being Thursday, November 20, 2025. The month focuses on ensuring that grieving children feel seen, supported, and connected to hope, often using the color blue and the symbol of the blue butterfly as a representation of hope.

For more information, please visit: grievingchildrencanada.org


Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week - November 1-7, 2025

In 2014, the Province of Ontario declared the first week in November as the Official Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. Establishing an annual awareness week was part of Bill 77 passed in 2014, which made carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in all Ontario homes. Working with partners to increase fire and carbon monoxide safety is part of the government's plan to keep Ontario families safe. This public education campaign, Beat the Silent Killer, is led by fire services across the province. Fire departments spread the message and raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and the importance of installing detectors in residential dwellings. Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week takes place from November 1-7, 2025.

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Talk To A Stranger Week - November 24-30, 2025

GenWell, Canada’s Human Connection Movement and registered Canadian charity, has been educating, empowering, and catalyzing Canadians about the importance of face-to-face social connection as a proactive step we can all take for our health, happiness, longevity and the betterment of society since 2016.

Talk To A Stranger Week, which takes place from November 24-30, 2025, is one of the annual campaigns GenWell leads that is intended to raise awareness of the benefits of talking to strangers and give Canadians the excuse and permission to make it happen.

Talking to strangers is an opportunity to build a sense of connection and community that many need in a post-pandemic world. It is seizing the opportunity that many of us have each day to make a difference in our own lives and the lives of others by simply saying hello, smiling, or striking up a conversation with a stranger. Research shows that people who speak to strangers just once a week are up to three times happier, and nearly 100% of the time, both people feel glad the connection happened.

For more information, please visit TalkToAStrangerWeek.org and GenWell.ca

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Requests for proclamations which primarily serve to benefit one or more of the following causes are generally accepted:

  • arts and cultural celebrations;
  • charitable fundraising campaigns;
  • civic promotions; and
  • public awareness campaigns.

Requests for proclamations which fall into any one of the following groups will not be approved:

  • matters of political controversy, ideological or religious beliefs or individual conviction;
  • promotion of business or commercial enterprise;
  • if the intent is contrary to corporate policies or municipal by-laws;
  • if the intent is to defame the integrity of the City, Member of Council, or staff person; or
  • if the event or organization has no direct relationship to the City of Pickering.

Submit your proclamation request at least 3 weeks prior to the desired proclamation period.

For more information, please contact the Council Office.

Contact Us

Council Office
One The Esplanade
Pickering, Ontario
Canada L1V 6K7

905.420.4605

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