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Home Life in Ajax In The Neighbourhood

Diversity & Community

At the Town, diversity is our strength. We have the fastest-growing diverse population and value the many contributions of our community.

We are committed to respect, inclusion, diversity, equity and have zero tolerance for all acts of discrimination and hate. We strive to continually lead with these values and beliefs that enable our community to develop their potential, bring their full self to work and engage in a place of understanding, learning and inclusivity.

People of various ages sit on benches and grass outdoors, watching an event on a sunny day with trees in the background.

Ajax is a Sanctuary Town

In 2017, the Town of Ajax joined five other Canadian Municipalities by declaring it a sanctuary city.

This declaration means that undocumented immigrants and members of the public can seek refuge in Town of Ajax without fear of being asked about their status if they choose to register for a Town program or resource.

A group of people in colourful rainbow outfits on a parade float decorated with rainbow streamers and a disco ball.

Positive Spaces Initiative

The Town of Ajax has worked collaboratively with its staff to create a Gender Expression/Identity Policy to create and uphold accessible, safe and positive spaces within the workplace.

A Positive Space is a welcoming, inclusive environment where Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and other sexually and gender diverse individuals feel safe, supported, and respected. It signifies a commitment to equity and inclusion, fostering a culture where all residents, including 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, can participate fully.

A person speaks into a microphone whilst seated at a table with two bottles of water in front of them.
Dancers in colourful plaid costumes perform on stage with vibrant artwork projected in the background.
A girl in traditional attire kneels on the floor holding a woven basket, performing a cultural dance.
A young girl in a white dress and colourful headscarf stands with a man kneeling beside her at an indoor event.
Woman with long plaits sits on an orange chair, speaking into a microphone during an event or panel discussion.

Ajax Diversity X Change

Every year, the Town of Ajax hosts its Diversity Conference. Residents, businesses, community groups and organizations are encouraged to attend. Admission is free, however, attendees are required to pre-register online.

Past conferences have focused on sanctuary city policies, mental health, sexual diversity, gender expression, newcomers and technology, access to education and recognizing white privilege.

This program provides valuable opportunities for individuals to delve into the essential topics of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through engaging art, educational resources, and effective programming initiatives. It is designed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge around various intersectionalities and personal experiences within the community. It creates a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and fosters a deeper understanding of these critical concepts.

Diversity X Change facilitates community learning, reflection, and adaptation in the face of complex and diverse challenges. It achieves this goal by fostering relationships and addressing systemic barriers such as biases and prejudices, hindering civic engagement. By prioritizing the development of inclusive and equitable communities, this platform aims to create a space where individuals from all walks of life can come together to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and work towards a common goal of mutual understanding and social progress.

The primary objective of Diversity X Change is to enhance the level of knowledge and understanding among the residents of Ajax and neighbouring communities, with a particular focus on promoting civic resiliency. Our top priority is to ensure that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are at the forefront of our community’s growth and development. By prioritizing these values, we can foster a more vibrant and inclusive environment that benefits everyone in our community.

Recognition of Indigenous Peoples

National Indigenous Peoples ’ Day

June 21 has been designated National Indigenous Peoples Day by the Government of Canada and celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ culture and heritage. Since 2023, The Town of Ajax has held two annual Indigenous-led sunrise ceremonies to commemorate the day and will continue to host this tradition in years to come.

Orange Shirt Day

September 30 is recognized across Canada as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday established to honour the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

Two children in orange shirts hold up cards at a table covered with colourful notes at an outdoor event.

What is Orange Shirt Day?

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is also known as Orange Shirt Day, which originated from the story of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) woman from British Columbia. On her first day at a residential school, Phyllis had her new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, taken away from her. Her experience has come to symbolize the stripping away of culture, identity, and dignity that Indigenous children faced in residential schools across Canada.

Orange Shirt Day is a grassroots movement that began in 2013, and it continues to grow as a national symbol of remembrance and commitment to reconciliation.

This day is a time for learning, reflection, and action — a moment for individuals, communities, governments, and institutions to come together to recognize the legacy of residential schools and to advance the 94 Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2015.

An older woman holding a lit candle stands among others at a vigil or memorial event.
A person in traditional Native American regalia dances outdoors whilst others sit and watch in the background.
A person in traditional Native American attire performs a dance outdoors on a tiled pavement near a modern building.
A person in traditional attire dances outdoors in front of a seated audience at a cultural event.
A group of people in traditional and orange clothing are seated outdoors at an event with an Ajax marquee in the background.
Indigenous dancers perform in traditional regalia outside a modern building on a paved piazza.
Person wearing an orange shirt with "Every Child Matters" printed on the back, standing outdoors.
A person in a white shawl with pink fringe dances outside a modern building, with motion blur in the image.
A group of people in colourful traditional regalia stand outdoors in a line, facing away from the camera.
A group of Indigenous dancers in traditional regalia perform on an outdoor tiled plaza in front of a building.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is situated within the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas.

More specifically, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, signatories of the Gunshot Treaty of 1788 and the Williams Treaties of 1923. This land is, and will continue to be, home to the Indigenous Peoples. Let us acknowledge the mistakes and traumas of the past through authenticity and support truth and reconciliation. Let us engage and celebrate Indigenous communities by being leaders of action in acknowledging the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations towards truth and reconciliation. Let us keep these principles close, as we continue towards truth and reconciliation and as we move forward with kindness and respect as a community.