January 2026 DEI Calendar for Inclusive Canadian Workplaces and Employers

Employers

Dec 1

Key dates, cultural insights, and inclusive hiring practices

January is often seen as a time of renewal — fresh starts, resolutions, and new energy. Many companies kick off the year by setting goals, launching initiatives, and rallying their teams. But when it comes to workplace inclusion, January carries much more depth than a simple “reset” mindset. It’s a month layered with meaning across cultures, religions, histories, and lived experiences.

For employers in Canada committed to inclusive hiring and building equitable workplaces, January is a moment to pause and ask a more important question: how are we showing up for our people from day one? Not just in policies or promises, but in everyday decisions — how meetings are scheduled, how cultural and religious observances are acknowledged, and how job ads and onboarding experiences are designed.

A strong DEI strategy doesn’t wait for a training session or awareness month. It begins at the start of the year by recognizing that not everyone celebrates, prays, or experiences time in the same way. Being intentional in January sets the tone for everything that follows.

This DEI calendar highlights key dates in January alongside practical guidance for employers. It’s not about getting everything perfect. It’s about leading with awareness, empathy, and respect.

How Canadian employers can use this DEI calendar

This calendar is designed as a planning tool, not a checklist. Employers can use it to:

plan inclusive internal communications and events
avoid scheduling conflicts with religious or cultural observances
support flexibility without requiring employees to disclose personal beliefs
design hiring, onboarding, and performance expectations that don’t assume a single lived experience

You don’t need to publicly acknowledge every date. The goal is thoughtful decision-making behind the scenes — especially during hiring and onboarding, when inclusion matters most.

Key January DEI Highlights - Summary

January 1 - New Year’s Day

Celebrated under the Gregorian calendar, but not universally observed.

January 4 - World Braille Day

Promotes accessibility and inclusion for people who are blind or visually impaired.

January 6 - Epiphany

A Christian holiday marking the end of Christmas for many.

January 13 - Lohri

A North Indian cultural festival celebrating the end of winter.

January 14 - Maghi

A Sikh religious observance honouring courage and sacrifice.

January 14 - Makar Sankranti

A pan-Indian festival tied to the solar calendar and harvest season.

January 19 - World Religion Day

Encourages interfaith respect and understanding.

January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

A U.S. holiday with global resonance around civil rights and equity.

January 27 - International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Honours the lives lost in the Holocaust and calls for reflection.

Notable Observances and Inclusive Practices

January 1 – New Year’s Day

While January 1 is widely recognized in Canada, it’s not the only New Year celebrated around the world. Other New Years include Lunar New Year, Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, and the Islamic New Year.

Employer lens

Avoid language that assumes January is a universal “fresh start.”
Be mindful when setting rigid deadlines, start dates, or performance expectations early in the month.

Why it matters
Inclusive workplaces recognize that people enter January with different cultural rhythms and responsibilities.

January 4 – World Braille Day

This day recognizes the importance of accessible communication. In Canada, accessibility is not optional — it is embedded in legislation and human rights protections.

Employer lens

Review job postings for screen-reader compatibility.
Audit internal platforms and onboarding materials for accessibility barriers.
Normalize accommodations without unnecessary approval processes.

Accessibility benefits everyone, not just people who disclose disabilities.

January 6 – Epiphany

A significant religious observance for many Christians, particularly Catholics, marking the end of the Christmas season.

Employer lens

Be mindful when scheduling meetings or mandatory events.
Ensure religious accommodations are available without employees needing to justify their beliefs.

January 13 – Lohri

A cultural festival celebrated primarily by Punjabi communities, often involving bonfires, music, and shared meals. It can hold special significance for new parents and newlyweds.

Employer lens

Recognize Lohri as a cultural observance, not a religious one.
Avoid asking employees to “explain” or perform cultural traditions for the workplace.

January 14 – Maghi

A Sikh religious observance honouring historical sacrifice and spiritual devotion.

Employer lens

Do not group Lohri and Maghi together in communications.
Allow individuals to observe in ways meaningful to them.

Distinguishing between cultural and religious observances matters.

January 14 – Makar Sankranti

Celebrated across India under many regional names, this festival marks longer days and new beginnings.

Employer lens

Expect family gatherings, travel, and charitable activities.
Build flexibility into schedules without requiring personal disclosure.

January 18 – World Religion Day

An observance that promotes respect across faiths without centring any one belief system.

Employer lens

Share optional learning resources.
Create space for respectful dialogue without pressuring participation.

Avoid asking employees to represent or speak for entire communities.

January 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

While not a Canadian holiday, it offers an opportunity to reflect on civil rights, equity, and leadership.

Employer lens

Share credible, educational resources.
Avoid performative statements that aren’t backed by action.
Connect discussions to your organization’s values and practices.

January 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

A solemn day commemorating the victims of the Holocaust and the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Employer lens

Offer learning opportunities without obligation.
Be mindful of the gravity of the day.
Avoid oversimplifying or generalizing its meaning.

This is a day for reflection, not branding.

What these dates mean for hiring and onboarding in January

January is a peak period for posting jobs, interviewing candidates, and onboarding new hires. Inclusive employers should:

avoid rigid start dates that conflict with religious observances
ensure job ads don’t frame January as a universal “reset”
build flexibility into interview scheduling and onboarding timelines
set expectations that account for cultural and religious diversity

Inclusive practice tips for employers hiring in January 2026

Offer flexibility without asking for explanations
Use neutral language in internal communications
Plan ahead using this calendar as a reference

Avoid

Asking employees to educate the team
Grouping unrelated observances together
Assuming participation, celebration, or disclosure

Inclusion in January sets the tone for 2026

January isn’t just the first page on the calendar. It’s the foundation of workplace culture for the year ahead. How employers approach DEI in this first month sends a clear message about what they value and who belongs.

Inclusion doesn’t come from posting reminders or checking boxes. It shows up in how organizations hire, lead, and listen — especially when no one is watching. While no employer gets everything right, those who consistently try to understand and respect the diversity of their teams build trust that lasts well beyond Q1.

If you’re posting jobs, onboarding new hires, or setting expectations this January, this calendar should be part of your planning — not an afterthought.

The calendar may change, but the responsibility to create inclusive workplaces does not.

And it starts now.