The Ontario Humanist Society
Who we are:
We are your friends, neighbours and colleagues; a group of people that share similar views and ambitions and passions such as: social justice, human rights, environmental action, science, reason and artistic expression.
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We advocate for progressive values and equality for humanists, atheists, freethinkers, and the non-religious.​
Mission
To create opportunities for people to connect, be supported, and participate in activities that reflect humanist values and principles.
The Ontario humanist Society does this primarily through;
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Advancing awareness of humanism in Ontario
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Providing opportunities for humanist community building and learning
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Educating and licensing humanist officiants in the province of Ontario
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Campaigning for secularism and human rights within Ontario
Values
Accountability
We hold ourselves accountable to OHS membership and partners
Integrity
We conduct ourselves according to humanism principles
Community
We value being part of the larger network of humanism on a global and local basis
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We strive to represent the communities in which we live, work and serve.
5-Year Aspirations
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Collaborate with other organizations to advance humanism and achieve OHS goals
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Committed volunteers who represent the communities we serve
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Increase the number and diversity of our officiants and members throughout the province
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Participation in issues aligned with the values of humanism where OHS can make a difference
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Increased awareness of Ontario Humanist Society
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April 2023
See the complete OHS Strategic plan here.
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Humanists in Action
As humanists, we believe we have an ethical responsibility to leave the world a better place. One way we do this is by pooling our resources to make change. OHS makes a quarterly donation to charity, we work to provide education about things that are happening in Ontario and around the world and we collaborate to make bigger changes.
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The board of directors invites members’ input into where they would like to make changes. This might involve creating a task force of people to work on intractable, complex issues, such as the OHS Food Security Task Force, or it could be a recommendation about a cause we can support through education, donation and individual action.
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If you would like to initiate an OHS change making project, please complete a brief application using the criteria found in the OHS Project Recommendation Outline.
Food Security Task Force
Currently OHS has a task force looking at the issue of food security across Ontario. The group encourages members to volunteer locally – on their own or with other OHS members in their area, provides education to members on food security (for example a speaker at the 2025 OHS #FillYourLife Conference) and has made several recommendations for OHS quarterly donations. If you would like to join the task force please email info@ontariohumanists.ca, or watch our newsletter and website for information.
Areas of Focus
Some of the issues that humanists focus on are:
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Awareness and promotion of humanism
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Separation of religion and state
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Social justice
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Scientific integrity
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Promoting peace
Ethical Actions
As Humanists, it is our role and responsibility to lobby, support and advocate for issues and changes in policies.
Your membership helps us to support local organizations and causes that align with humanist values such as:
•Freedom of speech
•Human rights
•Food insecurity
•Homelessness
•Death caring and assisted dying
•Reproductive rights
•Environmental issues
•Secular public education
•Property tax exemptions for houses of worship