NDP leader Don Davies spoke during this year's National Kindness Week news conference in Ottawa.
Finding unity and resilience during National Kindness Week despite the weight of national tragedy.
The news cycle lately feels like a relentless weight on your chest. You’re scrolling, and suddenly you see the name ‘Tumbler Ridge’ paired with words that no one should ever have to read. It is heavy, and it is exhausting. Then, you see a group of people who usually spend their time arguing—our Members of Parliament—standing side-by-side in Ottawa. They aren’t there to score political points or launch a viral zinger. They are there to start National Kindness Week, and the timing feels like a strange, much-needed exhale in the middle of a storm.
It is easy to be cynical about a designated week for kindness when the world feels like it is shattering. Don Davies called it a ‘cruel irony’ to talk about gentleness so soon after such a horrific tragedy in BC. But honestly, there is something profoundly honest about showing up for each other when things are at their worst. It is not about ignoring the pain; it is about acknowledging that because the world is hard, we have to be softer with each other. This is not toxic positivity—it is survival.
Elizabeth May was incredibly real about how the public usually sees the ‘worst’ of our leaders during Question Period—the performative meanness and the noise. She reminded us that the version of them we see on TV isn’t the ‘real us.’ We all have that internal ‘Question Period’ where we are defensive, sharp, or just plain tired. But the heart of this week is a reminder to pivot back to the version of ourselves that actually builds community instead of tearing it down. It is about realizing that there is more that we have in common than what divides us.
Resilience is not a solo sport. It looks like ‘seniors’ home blitzes’ or just checking in on a neighbor who lives alone. In psychology, we talk about values-based living—choosing actions that align with the person you want to be, even when you feel powerless. You might not be able to fix the big, scary things happening in the world, but you can control how you treat the person standing in line behind you or the friend who has been suspiciously quiet in the group chat.
As we move through these days, let’s try to drop the act of being unbothered. Let’s be ‘strong and kind,’ not because it is a slogan, but because it is the only way we stay tethered to each other. Kindness does not cost a dime, but it might be the only thing that helps us carry the weight of everything else. Check in on your people. Be gentle with yourself. We are all just trying to find our way back to the light.
National Kindness Week 2026
National Kindness Week is celebrated across Canada each year during the third week of February, following the passage of Bill S-223, the Kindness Week Act. Championed by Senator Jim Munson and inspired by the late Rabbi Reuven Bulka, founder of Kind Canada, this legislation officially made Canada the first country in the world to dedicate a week to promoting kindness, compassion, empathy, and community service.
This annual celebration encourages Canadians from Manitoba, Ontario, and coast to coast to participate in acts of kindness, volunteer in their communities, support charitable initiatives, and strengthen social connections. National Kindness Week also provides an opportunity for schools, workplaces, nonprofits, and local organizations to share stories, ideas, and resources that foster empathy, respect, inclusion, and positive social impact.
From simple gestures, like checking in on a neighbor or helping a senior, to larger community projects, National Kindness Week reminds us that every act of compassion matters. By celebrating kindness in daily life, in schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods, Canadians can help build a culture of generosity, unity, and hope across the country.
Find more motivational short stories, community projects, and ideas for spreading kindness at Art Borups Corners.
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