Now Ruz (New Year) (Zoroastrian, Afghanistan, Islam, Ismaili, Baha’i) – It means “new day” and is celebrated by Muslims of Persian heritage or influence and by all Ismaili Muslims around the world. The Zoroastrian New Year celebrates the creation of fire on this day on which Zarathustra received his revelations. Source: multicultural calendar 2013

This morning, I attended  the launch of the Guelph Wellington Immigration Portal at the annual Guelph Wellington Local Immigration Partnership Immigration Connection event.   I thank the Government of Ontario for funding solely this Project through their Municipal Immigration Information Online program.  Many thanks to the Local Immigration Partnership that played a significant role in bringing […]

Guelph Local artist Adwoa Badoe, a storyteller, author, educator, and African dance instructor has been recognized by the Ontario government with an Ontario Newcomer Champion Award for her contributions to the arts in Canada. I attended the awards ceremony and I am happy to say that since the inception of the awards in 2007, Guelph has been […]

The City has learned a lesson this week about being an inclusive community. Our Fireworks By-law only permits the use of fireworks by residents on Canada Day and Victoria Day.    These two holidays have had a celebratory tradition of setting off fireworks. An exemption is required to use fireworks on other days e.g. for a […]

Earlier this week, I raised the Métis flag  in honour of Louis Riel Day which falls today. I would like to thank the Grand River Métis Community Council for organizing the event.  Cora Bunn, President of the Grand River Metis Community Council, was in attendance along with members of the local  Métis community. They presented me […]

My husband and I recently attended the inaugural meeting of the Visayan Ethno-Cultural Organization. Here are a couple of the thousands of pictures taken that evening!

December 23 – Joseph Smith’s Birthday (Christian – Mormon) – He was the American Mormon Leader, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. December 25 – Christmas Day (Christian) – This day celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth over 2,000 years ago.  Customs include lighting candles, exchanging gifts and using evergreen decorations to celebrate […]

December 12 – Hanukkah (through December 19) (Jewish) – Approximately in 164 B.B, Maccabees, a small group of Jews fighting for religious freedom won victory over the Syrians.  The legend goes that to rededicate the Temple, they found only one jar of holy oil and miraculously the candelabra remained lit for 8 days.  The Festival […]

Last night, Council received an application for a zoning by-law amendment to permit the construction of a Sikh Temple at 410 Clair Road.  The meeting was well attended by members of the Sikh community and the neighourhood around the proposed development.  The purpose of the meeting was to receive public input on the proposed development.  […]

November 23 – Kinro Kansha No Hi (Japan) – This is the Japanese Labour Thanksgiving Day when people express gratitude to each other for their labours throughout the year. November 24 – Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur (Sikh) – This day commemorates his martyrdom (1621-1675).  He was the ninth of the Ten Sikh Gurus and […]