| Humanist Canada | |
|---|---|
 Logo of Humanist Canada Happy Human |
|
| Motto | Reason.Ethics.Dignity.Equality |
| Formation | 1968 |
| Type | Not-for-profit |
| Legal status | Charity |
| Headquarters | Waterloo, ON |
| Region served | Canada |
| President | Dorothy Hays |
| Affiliations | International Humanist and Ethical Union |
| Website | www.humanistcanada.com |
Humanist Canada (also known as the Humanist Association of Canada, or HAC) is a national not-for-profit charitable organization that promotes and supports educational initiatives to advance critical thinking and humanist culture, social and outreach opportunities for non-believers, and advocacy for equality and fairness for all Canadians. Founded in 1968 as a small lobby group, the organization now includes affiliates across Canada and is 100% Canadian-owned and managed. Humanist Canada is a member organization of the International Humanist and Ethical Union. The official symbol of the organization is a unique version of the Happy Human; a pale grey Happy Human against a red sugar maple leaf.
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History
Humanist Canada has its roots in the former Humanist Fellowship of Montreal. This fellowship was an organization of humanists that was founded in 1954 by Drs. R. K. Mishra, Ernest Poser, and Maria Jutta Cahn. Lord Bertrand Russell and Dr. Brock Chisholm were its first patrons.
Humanist Canada's first president was Dr. Henry Morgentaler, who retained the position from 1968 to 1999.
In 1996, Humanist Canada was granted the authority by the Registrar General to certify humanist officiants to solemnize marriages in Ontario. The organization has over 20 officiants who perform religion-free ceremonies including marriages, funerals, memorials and baby namings.
In 2007, Humanist Canada awarded the Humanist of the Year award (posthumously) to prominent Canadian journalist, writer and philanthropist, June Callwood, founder of Casey House, the world's first hospice for people living with HIV/AIDS.
In 2008, during Humanist Canada's 40th anniversary celebration, professor of bioethics and cognitive evolution, Christopher diCarlo was bestowed with the Humanist of the Year award for his outstanding efforts in promoting critical thinking and humanism. Dr diCarlo's lecture tour, We Are All African, has been presented across North America and has helped raised awareness of evolutionary theory and funding for the Masai for Africa, an HIV awareness program in Lesotho. That same year, Dr diCarlo was recognized Lecturer of the Year by TV Ontario. Dr Henry Morgentaler honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Stance and activities
The organization's stated vision is: "A world where reason and compassion guide public policy and beliefs are respected provided that they are compatible with the rights of others", and its mission is: "To actively promote the separation of religion from public policy and foster the development of reason, compassion and critical thinking for all Canadians through secular education and community support."
To that end, Humanist Canada develops educational initiatives, fosters social and outreach opportunities, advocates equality for humanists on marriage, civil rights, health and education issues, and trains and certifies humanist officiants to perform non-religious ceremonies.
Outreach includes donations to charitable organizations and causes that advance scientific, academic, medical, and human rights efforts to improve the human condition. Recipients include Casey House ($5000 donation in 2007) and the Royal Ontario Museum's "Darwin: the Evolution Revolution" exhibit ($50,000 in 2008).
Governance and management
Board of Directors
- President: Dorothy Hays, BA, BEd, HBSW
- Vice President: vacant
- Secretary: Doug Thomas, BA, BEd, OCT
- Treasurer: Linda Shaw, BA, MBA
- Directors-at-Large pro tem: William Broderick, Laura-Lee Balkwill, Simon Parcher
Management, Finance and Legal
- Executive Director: Kathy Meidell, BA
- Financial Administrator: Lucien Khodeir, BSc
- Legal Advisor: Peter Lillico, BA, LLB
Notable members
- Dr. Henry Morgentaler (president emeritus), Holocaust survivor, women's reproductive rights activist, humanitarian, and Order of Canada member.
- Dr. Robert Buckman (president emeritus), author of several books on improving patient care and morale; a media figure, his television programs included Magic or Medicine? and Human Wildlife, and has acted with the Monty Python comedy troupe.
- Dr Christopher diCarlo (Humanist of the Year, 2008), is a Canadian professor of bioethics and critical thinking and an outspoken activist for freethought, humanism, and secularism. Dr diCarlo is an annual workshop presenter at Camp Quest Ontario, and has given many enlightening talks at numerous humanist events across the country. He was also the first Atheist invited to speak at the annual World Religions Conference in Kitchener, Ontario. His lecture tour We Are All African has been presented across North America. and has helped raised awareness of evolutionary theory and funding for the Masai for Africa, an HIV awareness program in Lesotho, Africa.
National Strategic Partners
- Society of Ontario Freethinkers
- Halton-Peel Humanist Community
- Humanist Association of Manitoba
- Thunder Bay Humanists
- Central Ontario Humanist Association
- Kingston Humanist Association
International Strategic Partners
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