Honoring the history of National Kindness Week 2026 through small, intentional daily wins.
Did you know that Canada was the first country in the entire world to make kindness a law? That is not just a fun fact; it is a whole flex on the global stage. It happened because of a private member’s bill by Senator Jim Munson, inspired by the legendary Rabbi Reuven Bulka. These guys weren’t just dreamers; they were strategists who understood that kindness is the glue that holds a nation together. They wanted to make sure that for one week every February, we all stop, look around, and ask how we can make life better for the people next to us. That is the kind of legacy we are stepping into right now.
Eighteen years ago, the first Kindness Week launched in Ottawa. Back then, the world looked different, but the core human need for connection was exactly the same. Now, in National Kindness Week 2026, we are the ones carrying the torch. We have all this technology and all these ways to communicate, but are we actually connecting? Legacy isn’t about some dusty history book; it’s about what you do today that people will remember tomorrow. It’s about being the person who actually cares in a world that often rewards being cynical or detached.
Kindness is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. It starts with small, intentional wins. Holding the door, sending a ‘thinking of you’ text, or even just being patient when someone is having a bad day. These moments might feel tiny, but they are the bricks that build a solid community. When we all do it at the same time—from coast to coast to coast—the energy is undeniable. We are creating a culture where kindness is the default, not the exception. That is how you honor the work of the people who came before us.
So, let’s make some noise for the history makers and the future shapers. Take a second to realize that you are part of a global movement that started right here. You are the one who gets to decide how this story continues. Will you be the one who waits for someone else to act, or will you be the one who leads the charge? This week is your invitation to step into your power and leave a legacy of pure, unadulterated kindness. Let’s get to work and make Rabbi Bulka proud.
This week is National Kindness Week
Passed as a private member’s bill by Senator Jim Munson, Bill S-223, the Kindness Week Act, received Royal Assent on June 3, 2021, becoming law in Canada and officially designating the third week of February as National Kindness Week. The inspiration for this bill, the late Rabbi Reuven Bulka, founder of Kind Canada, launched the very first Kindness Week in Ottawa 18 years ago—making Canada the first country in the world to pass such legislation.
This annual, week-long celebration encourages Canadians from coast to coast to coast to celebrate acts of kindness, volunteerism, and charitable giving for the benefit of all Canadians. It also connects individuals and organizations to share resources, information, and tools to foster even more acts of kindness.
Let’s make note of this special week, and share ways to support Kindness in our workplaces, schools and communities.
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