Proclamations at February 2024 Burlington City Council Meeting
Proclamations are read at the beginning of every regularly-scheduled Burlington City Council meeting.A proclamation is an official announcement issued by the Mayor to recognize exceptional events, groups, people, or achievements in the City of Burlington. The goal of a proclamation is to recognize and celebrate achievements, and to raise public awareness of important issues in Burlington.For more information on how to submit a request for a proclamation, please visit the City’s dedicated Proclamations webpage. You can also view copies of proclamations presented at Council meetings on the City's website.
Here are the proclamations that were read during the Feb. 13 Council meeting. Click the links to see a digital copy of the proclamation signed by Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.February 2024Black History Month: February 2024Black History Month recognizes the contributions of people of African and Caribbean descent have made to Canada shaping its identity. Black History Month in Canada is very important as it educates Canadians. Few Canadians know that slavery once existed in Canada, or that many of the British Loyalists, who came here after the American Revolution were Black. Black History Month continues to provide the City of Burlington with the opportunity to learn, to share, and to celebrate the important contributions and vital role that Canadians of African descent have made to strengthen the social, economic and cultural mosaic of our community, province, country and the world.
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World Cancer Day: Feb. 4, 2024People in our community have been directly affected by cancer and share a strong bond with others who experience this disease. The Canadian Cancer Society is proud to be a champion and voice for Canadians who care about cancer and is committed to uniting and inspiring Canadians to take control of cancer. Through World Cancer Day, the Canadian Cancer Society is highlighting the importance ofmaking cancer care in Canada affordable, and highlighting the strength and courage that Canadians facing cancer show every day. Many of Canadian Cancer Society volunteers in Burlington, ON and local donors are part of a collective society united by the same goals, helping people live longer and improving the lives and experiences of those affected by cancer. World Cancer Day is an opportunity to honour all those affected by cancer and work together to create a world where cancer care is affordable, convenient, and equitable for all Canadians.
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Wear Red Canada Day: Feb. 13, 2024Heart disease is the number one killer of women worldwide and the leading cause of premature death for Canadian women, a fact unknown to many women and their healthcare providers. The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance is an organization of volunteer health professionals and patients working hard to improve women’s heart health. Wear Red Canada Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness for all Canadians, but especially Canadian women, to be mindful, curious, and proactive in the management of their heart health and wellness. We want to see better prevention, diagnosis, and care and fewer women dying prematurely from heart disease.
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World Thinking Day 2024: Feb. 22, 2024World Thinking Day has united Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world for a day of international friendship over the past 90 years, first celebrated in 1926. Youth members in the City of Burlington and beyond benefit from the opportunity to speak out on issues that affect girls and young women, celebrate the founding of Girl Guides and be connected to the 8.8 million members in 153 countries who are part of the Guiding movement. This year, members will focus on the positive difference Girl Guides can make in the world as they explore the conditions that girls and young women need to thrive in an environmentally conscious world through the theme of, ‘Our World, Our Thriving Future.’
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Special Olympics Week: Feb. 26-March 2, 2024The Knights of Columbus and Special Olympics have a longstanding relationship where the Knights are truly dedicated to the athletes, families and mission of the Special Olympics. The Knights of Columbus are an Official Partner of the Special Olympics and have been one of the largest supporters by donating their time to Special Olympics competitions, fundraisers, events and donation drives. Beginning January 2nd 2023, a “flag relay” has been instituted by the Knights all across Ontario to help raise awareness of the Special Olympics Organization and to showcase the Knight’s support and commitment to the cause. Special flags will be circulated throughout Ontario to be displayed in each of the 111 Districts of the Knights of Columbus, with a flag being raised at Burlington City Hall on Monday February 26th. The movement of the flags throughout the province will be completed by the spring after which the flags will be made available to Special Olympics for local, provincial, national and world games.
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Rare Disease Awareness Day: Feb. 29, 2024February 29th marks Rare Disease Day and is recognized by members of the rare disease community in the city of Burlington. We recognize and commend the important work of all those who are part of this community, and for their work as part of the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, to ensure that our healthcare system works for all Canadians, including those with less common diseases. One in 12 Canadians live with a rare disorder. Many others still are affected or at risk and remain undiagnosed and unaware. Rare disease research is crucial to providing patients and their families with the answers and solution they need, whether it’s a treatment, a cure or improved care. “Faces of Rare” is the theme of this year’s Rare Disease Day. There are 103 countries are participating in Rare Disease Awareness Day this year, with thousands of events worldwide for 300 million people with rare diseases. We in Burlington, Ontario are proud of our contribution to this body of research, and are gratified to see that the outcomes continue to improve the lives of those affected by these often-devastating rare diseases. We recognize the continued work of the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders and the many local groups it represents, who are instrumental in helping to provide and advance much needed support to the rare disease community in the province of Ontario.
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March 2024Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month: March 2024Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) is a rare and relatively unknown autoimmune disease that currently has no cure. NMOSD attacks the central nervous system and can cause lifetime disability, including blindness and/or paralysis. The cause of NMOSD is still a mystery and there are a few approved treatments for the majority of patients with NMOSD; but no treatments for the remainder of patients. When mistaken for other diseases, treatments can exacerbate NMOSD symptoms. Increasing awareness about NMOSD has caused diagnoses to rise, as doctors have become more likely to recognize the varying manifestations of the disease. The NMOSD community is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of this disease in order to promote research, improved patient care, and outcomes, and ultimately find a cure.
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